3 Replies Latest reply on Sep 11, 2005 3:57 PM by mgillam

    create-timer JDPL element

    mgillam

      I've begun working with JBPM 3.0, and I'm interested in using timers, but I'm confused.

      The jdpl schema shows transition as an attribute of the create-timer element. Can you specify any transition name within the process model? Or, does the transition have to originate within the node where the timer is created?

      Also, I noticed in another forum topic, the developer was specifying an action element within the cretate-timer. I don't see that in the schema. Are they using a different version of JBPM? Did this feature exist in 2.0?

      Please help.

        • 1. Re: create-timer JDPL element
          tom.baeyens

          in case of a create-timer element, the schema is too loose. but you'll see the same effect for other actions. in the schema, the content of an action is any (thing). so the schema completion will show you all elements there.

          we are aware of this effect and looking into how we can fix it. all suggestions are welcome.

          if you're in doubt, consult the docs in the user guide.

          regards, tom.

          • 2. Re: create-timer JDPL element
            mgillam

            Thanks, but I started with the user guide and that is my source of confusion.

            The user guide doesn't show that you have a choice of of or in the contents of <create-timer> (as defined in the xsd). Can I assume that if the timer fires the action will get executed. If so, this should probably be added to the doc.

            Executing an action makes more sense than following a transition as the user guide shows (i.e. the transition attribute in <create-timer>). Aren't the transitions dependent on the current state of the process, and you don't know what state the process is in when the timer fires.

            Perhaps I have some general misunderstanding that you could help me straighten out. BTW ... I did carefully read the 3.0 user guide from beginning to end, so maybe I touched on a hole in the doc.

            Thanks for any help you can offer.

            • 3. Re: create-timer JDPL element
              mgillam

              Sorry, my last reply was truncated because I made the mistake of entering a less-than/greater sign in the text.

              I read the user guide, and that's the source of my confusion.

              The TRANSITION attribute in the CREATE-TIMER doesn't seem to make sense because I've always assumed that the transitions available depend on the current state of the process. When a timer fires, you don't know what state the process will be in.

              On the other hand, it does make sense that the timer firing could invoke an ACTION or a SCRIPT (as the schema defines for the CREATE_TIMER). However, the user guide makes no mention of this. If I define an ACTION in the contents of a CREATE-TIMER, will it get executed?

              I read the user guide from beginning to end, so maybe this is something that should be clarified.

              Thanks for any help you can offer.