specify task time window

[aapthorp]

I've been working on an iCalendar wrapper for JBPM in order that task assignments can be e-mailed to a user's calendar or task list displayed in a calendar agent as todos. Having got the basics working I've come across a problem with tasks that have a scheduled specific start and end time. The problem is how to specify the start time in JBPM (I'm setting the finish time using due date). The only possible way I can see to do this is to set a timer for the scheduled start time, but can't see how to get timer's associated with a task instance. Anyone any ideas or is there some easier way to do this?

I was also wondering why absolute due dates can't be specified? I can't see anything in the forums on this.

[pojomonkey]

"aapthorp" wrote:
The only possible way I can see to do this is to set a timer for the scheduled start time, but can't see how to get timer's associated with a task instance. Anyone any ideas or is there some easier way to do this?

Store some 'handle' in a process variable available to the timer's handler code?

"aapthorp" wrote:
I was also wondering why absolute due dates can't be specified? I can't see anything in the forums on this.

Since the process graph is intended to be run time and again, having an absolute due date/time wouldn't make much sense.

So the 'absolute' due date is the start date + the due date specified...

[kukeltje]

due dates can use EL now as well (see the docs) That way you can set an absolute due date if it e.g. is in a processvariable.

And if the 'start date' does not need to be real (the task appearing at that time), use just a processvariable for that. If you do want see the task not before that specific date, use a state with a timer that transitions to the task if the timer is fired

[aapthorp]

"kukeltje" wrote:
due dates can use EL now as well (see the docs) That way you can set an absolute due date if it e.g. is in a processvariable.

Thanks, had done this with an action handler, as per the example on the wiki contributions page.

"kukeltje" wrote:
And if the 'start date' does not need to be real (the task appearing at that time), use just a processvariable for that. If you do want see the task not before that specific date, use a state with a timer that transitions to the task if the timer is fired

I guess the processvariable approach is the way to go, I was wondering if there was something built in that I missed i.e. task to start no earlier than and finish no later than, or a task duration. This would be useful for assigning actors based on existing task assignments.


P.S. Is there any interest in an iCalendar wrapper such as I've described?

[kukeltje]

no need for an actionhandler anymore, but that is your choice...

regarding the delayed start of a task and your remark about assiging based on existing tasks, we do kind of workload distribution to, but assign them anyway... no delay

[aapthorp]

no need for an actionhandler anymore, but that is your choice...

I guess I should've asked the question before implementing it...

regarding the delayed start of a task and your remark about assiging based on existing tasks, we do kind of workload distribution to, but assign them anyway... no delay

Wondering whether its worth raising this as a feature request?

[kukeltje]

Wondering whether its worth raising this as a feature request?

You could... not sure what priority it gets though...

[koen.aers]

"aapthorp" wrote:
Is there any interest in an iCalendar wrapper such as I've described?

There certainly is interest for this. I would suggest a post on the designer forum to discuss this and/or a JIRA issue where you can attach code (unit test, implementation, example).

Cheers,
Koen