How to store process definition to the database in jBPM5?

[fersmi]

Hello,

in jBPM3 the process definition saves to the database when deployed. I need the same in jBPM5 but I don't want use Drools Guvnor?

How can I do that?

Thanks for any suggestions.

[pgoncalves]

Hi,

I had the same problem. I realize that the jbpm5 does not have that mechanism (at least I didn't find it) and I don't want to use guvnor.

I ended the problem by creating a table in my db where I save the process definitions. Just a simple table where I save the process definitions as a byte array.

I'm still in dev, and so far it works well...

[fersmi]

Thanks for your suggestion. I will try to do it the same way

[jett]

Although we're technically not storing it on a database per se, what we do right now is store the process definition in a document management system ( Alfresco in our case). The DMS allows us the capability of versioning of the bpmn files. When a process is instantiated, we call a service that pulls the definition with a particular version.

The DMS also allows users who edit these definitions a facility for collaboration.

IF had to store it in a DB, I would probably store it in BLOB field with another field indicating the version of the process.

[salaboy21]

Yes.. storing the process definition in the DB as plain text or as a byte array lacks of versioning and easy access from the Users. Using a DMS is a good option.. the same as guvnor almost,because they are both probably based on JCR. The advantage of guvnor is that you can package and build your knowledge packages and edit your process inside the web process designer.

Cheers

[pgoncalves]

Thank you for your answers.

In my case there is no need to collaboration on process definitions and so.

If there is the case of a process definition change during the execution of a process instance, this process instance will not be affected right? The process instance will go on according to the process definition state when it started?

Thanks

[biraneto]

There is an api for changing process definitions that were already loaded... using it might help (I ve never tried it though). But if you just load your knowledge base with a new version of a pending workflow you may eventually break execution of pending instances depending on your changes.

[pgoncalves]

Bira Neto wrote:

There is an api for changing process definitions that were already loaded... using it might help (I ve never tried it though). But if you just load your knowledge base with a new version of a pending workflow you may eventually break execution of pending instances depending on your changes.

Well... that is what I was afraid

I've searched in the user guide but I still don't know how to manage this changes...

I don't need collaboration in processes definitons and I edit the process definitions in eclipse.

I've searched in the jbpm database and I don't see anything related to the version of the process definition... I thought that the porcessInstanceByteArray contained the information that the instance needs to complete, even when the process definition changes. No?

Thanks

[biraneto]

The interesting part would be item 6.8.6. Updating processes

http://docs.jboss.org/jbpm/v5.3/userguide/ch.core-basics.html