3 Replies Latest reply on Jul 6, 2007 4:53 AM by kukeltje

    problems with task assignment

    petia

      Hi again

      I have now installed and I am running the latest release of jbpm-jpdl (i.e. an installation through jbpm-jpdl-3.2.1). I have the following process definition:

      <process-definition
       xmlns="" name="sequence">
       <start-state name="start">
       <task name="start-task">
       <assignment expression="user(manager)"></assignment>
       <controller>
       <variable name="employee" access="read,write,required"></variable>
       </controller>
       </task>
       <transition name="t1" to="task1"></transition>
       </start-state>
       <task-node name="task1">
       <task name="task1">
       <assignment actor-id="manager"></assignment>
       </task>
       <transition name="t2" to="task2"></transition>
       </task-node>
       <task-node name="task2">
       <task name="task2a">
       <assignment expression="previous"></assignment>
       </task>
       <task name="task2b">
       <assignment expression="user(manager)"></assignment>
       </task>
       <transition name="t3" to="end1"></transition>
       </task-node>
       <end-state name="end1"></end-state>
      </process-definition>
      


      Every task in this process is assigned to a specific user namely user or manager (who are two of the predefined users coming with the installation). However, when executing the process everyone is able to execute everything, i.e. every user defined in the system can both start and end any task, even tasks which have not been assigned to him. Is this a bug or am I thinking wrongly?

      A second question I have is related to the data flow in a process and the forms generation. In the previous version I run (i.e. 3.1.2) task data was defined through the controller construct and during run-time forms were automatically generated in the web-console for displaying and gathering instance specific data. This does not seem to be the case any longer. My impression is that now in order to enter or display any data, one needs to define all the forms necessary for doing it. Is this correct? (It is of course important to be able to define your own forms, but when developing and testing the logic of a process it is nice to also have the automatic generated forms.) In the process definition above I have defined a task controller, where the variable employee is required. When executing the process as manager, I can see the variable in the Variables View in the web interface but I can not give it any value (probably because I have not yet defined any form for it) However (and it feels strange), I can end the task even if this variable is required and I have not entered any value for it. Again, am I thinking wrongly or is this a bug?

      Finally, from the manager's interface I was able to define new users, groups and memberships. However, I can not use them. When trying to login as one of the new users I get the error message
      Login failed. Invalid user name or password.
      The new users do not appear in the login window's table but they seem to have been saved in the database (at least I am able to see them when going back to manager's Identities view). How do I get the user changes through? (I think I saw somewhere instructions on how to delete the login table from the login window, but I can not find back to there.) Also, is it possible to change users' data, such as email address, from this interface or do I need to remove and redefine the user in order to do this?

      Grateful for any feedback.
      Kind regards, Petia

        • 1. Re: problems with task assignment
          kukeltje

          every user: the behaviour you see is what is there. This is under discussion between the developers. Has something to do with what we think the main focus of the webconsole should be.....

          Second question: The GPD can create forms for you (almost as rapid as runtime doing it ;-)) look at the latest GPD

          Third question: They do not show up on the page, that is static, if you put the users you created in the correct role (participant is needed!) it should work I think)

          • 2. Re: problems with task assignment
            petia

            Thanks Ronald, your reply is very appreciated.

            "kukeltje" wrote:
            every user: the behaviour you see is what is there. This is under discussion between the developers. Has something to do with what we think the main focus of the webconsole should be.....


            I did not realize that jbpm-jbpl-suite-3.2.1 is so immature (everyone being able to execute everything...). I will be interested in having a look at it when the design of the webconsole has stabilized a bit more. Until that, I will need to go back to version 3.1.4 and the previous console.

            "kukeltje" wrote:

            Second question: The GPD can create forms for you (almost as rapid as runtime doing it ;-)) look at the latest GPD


            I did not find this functionality in the GPD (and now I do believe I have the latest version of it). Any link to documentation (or an example or any other relevant material on this) is welcome.

            "kukeltje" wrote:

            Third question: They do not show up on the page, that is static, if you put the users you created in the correct role (participant is needed!) it should work I think)


            OK, I tried that, but it did not help. I also wonder whether this role definition is really needed: a user can be defined without participating in a group and he can be referred to by actor-id (in a task assignment for instance). At least this is according to fig 11.3. Identity model class diagram and chapter 18 in the user guide (and it worked in version 3.1.2).

            Anyway, good luck with the further development of the new webconsole (and the whole project course). I will follow the development (and most likely post more questions on this forum).

            Kind regards, Petia

            • 3. Re: problems with task assignment
              kukeltje

              Petia,

              This has nothing to do with 'immature' it can be very easily enabled. And the majority is in favour of limiting the tasklists.

              Going back to 3.1 just for this? hmm.... Instead of these kind of unhelpful remarks, we would appreciate feedback on e.g. why you want the tasklists to be limited. Is it just something you expect from a console? Is there other functionality you want/need/....

              Sure you can't find it? There is a form button in the tastk tab in the properties tab of the tasknode.

              A user can be created without a functional role, correct. He has to have the security-role though to be able to login....(not participant, sorry)