Howto start a process from outside

[mgiammarco2]

Hello,

I am learning jbpm. I would like to do this thing:

- start a jbpm standalone istance with its gui;

- now advanced users can directly use it;

- but I would like to do an external semplified web interface to let novice users start a process.

Can I do this thing? What is the suggested way?

Thanks,

Mario

[eaa]

In 1 and 2, are you talking about jbpm-console? Or are you planning to do your own application?

For the simplified web interface, if you are using jbpm-console, I think there is a set of REST API you could use to interact with it (start a process, complete a task, etc.).

Best Regards,

[mgiammarco2]

Esteban Aliverti wrote:

In 1 and 2, are you talking about jbpm-console? Or are you planning to do your own application?

For the simplified web interface, if you are using jbpm-console, I think there is a set of REST API you could use to interact with it (start a process, complete a task, etc.).

Yes sorry I have not used the correct term I was meaning jbpm-console.

So you suggest to use REST. Infact I have the doubt: REST or jbpm API?

I would like to understand what is the purpose of the API.

Thanks!

Mario

[eaa]

jBPM5 is a framework that you can use to create applications that execute business processes defined in BPMN2 notation (this is the ultra-simplified definition ). So, jbpm API are the classes and methods that allow you to compile a process, start a process and interact withit (signal events or complete tasks).

jbpm-console is a web application that lets you manage and interacto with processes in a visual way. Under the hood, jbpm-console uses jbpm API.

If you are planning to use jbpm-console, then I would suggest you to implement your simplified web ui using REST API: http://docs.jboss.org/jbpm/v5.2/userguide/ch11.html#d0e3556

The REST API implementation in jbpm-console will internally use jbpm API to execute the commands.

Best REgards,

[mgiammarco2]

Esteban Aliverti wrote:

jBPM5 is a framework that you can use to create applications that execute business processes defined in BPMN2 notation (this is the ultra-simplified definition ). So, jbpm API are the classes and methods that allow you to compile a process, start a process and interact withit (signal events or complete tasks).

jbpm-console is a web application that lets you manage and interacto with processes in a visual way. Under the hood, jbpm-console uses jbpm API.

Thank for another clear reply. I ask the last thing because I have not explained well myself before.

So imagine I use the API: I start a jbpm instance, load and compile a process, and start a process. In this jbpm instance there is a jbpm-console? Can I attach a jbpm-console to it?

Thanks again,

Mario

[eaa]

I start a jbpm instance, load and compile a process, and start a process. In this jbpm instance there is a jbpm-console?

No: jbpm-console uses jbpm runtime, but not the other way around. You can see it this way: jbpm runtime is a bunch of jars you can use in wathever application you want. Jbpm-console is a web application (war) that uses jbpm runtime.

So, for steps 1 and 2, you will need to deploy an instance of jbpm-console instead of create your own web application that uses jbpm-runtime.

Can I attach a jbpm-console to it?

In theory there is a way to do this: both applications (jbpm-console and your own application using the API) must be configured to use the same database and HT server instance. I never tried this before, so I'm not sure if this solution works without any other customization. Maybe someone else that have tried this can help you here. 

Best Regards,