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Introduction
Softlinks provide a flexible way to integrate additional processes within a main process without the need for strict sequential execution. They offer a dynamic approach to process modeling, allowing for greater adaptability and scalability.
Softlinks are established through a process variable contained within the softlink, referencing the main process's ID. This dynamic linking enables runtime determination of process relationships.
Softlinks can be created using either custom JavaScript functions or built-in ActionHandlers, offering flexibility in implementation based on specific requirements and expertise.
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Use case 1: Starting softlinks via StartSoftlinkFromProcessVariableHandler
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First, let’s prepare the form process variables to be processed by softlinks.
Inside the Form, set the variables in the form as below: ‘Variable 1’ to ‘softlink
softlink_nr[0]
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softlink_nr[1]
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softlink_nr[2]
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This means, that when we start the process, the process variables to be created by Form are named in a sequence ‘softlink_nr[0]’, ‘softlink_nr[1]’, ‘softlink_nr[2]’.
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Save the changes and publish the version.
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This is achieved by using the
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Let us set the softlink process Actionhandler details
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Parameter | Description |
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Softlink process name | Specifies the name of the process which should be started by a softlink. In this case it will start the process named: NewProcessFromSoftlink |
Include process variables by suffix | Specifies a suffix that will determine which process variables of the main process are to be included in the softlink started instances. |
Amount to start | Specifies the number amount of instances that are to be started by softlinks. In this case it will limit to 3 new process instances |
Softlink suffix | Specifies which variables are to be assigned to the individual softlinks. So, the three instances that will be started will take into consideration process variables ending with “_nr” and these will be set as process variables in each started instance via softlink. |
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After completing the task, the list now successfully displays the other three softlink process instances (Workflow NewProcessFromSoftlink) that have been started by softlink the ActionHandler (those matching _nr as provided in the actionhandler Softlink suffix) and created as much as it is set in “Amount to start”
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The process variable is set in each starting instance by softlink as you can see in the photo screenshot below.
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Use case 2: Using StartSoftlinksFromXLSVariablesHandler for setting process variables and Starting softlinks via
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StartSoftlinksFromProcessVariablesHandler .
In this example, we will set process variables via an Excel file, and those matching the softlink suffix will be used to start new instances.
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Here you can see the configuration of the CreateSoftlinkVariablesFromXLSX Handler:
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Parameter | Description |
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Event name | Specifies the name of the event, which in this case it to create variables. |
docName | Specifies the name of the document of XLS softlink. |
softLinkSuffix | Specifies which variables are to be assigned to the individual softlinks. |
softLinkCount | Specifies the row count for the soflinks. |
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softlinks. |
The following screenshot shows the configuration of the
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Parameter | Description |
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Softlink process name | Specifies the name of the process which should be started by a softlink. |
Include process variables by suffix | Specifies a suffix that will determine which process variables of the main process are to be included in the softlink started instances. |
Amount to start | Specifies the amount of instances that are to be started by softlinks. |
Softlink suffix | Specifies which variables are to be assigned to the individual softlinks (in this case is email). |
The Excel file that contains data to be set as process variables in the process instance is as follows.
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If our example is published, you can start a new process instance.
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Upload the Excel file from above.
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After adding the file, the instance is ready to be started.
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The tasks associated with the instance should must be completed as well.
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After completing the 'Testing Case' task, the other two softlink instances are automatically started by the Actionhandler as defined in the Excel file.
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Process Variables These are the process variables displayed in the report of the main process instance:
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Process Variables displayed in the report of the first softlink process instance
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Process Variables displayed on the report of the second softlink process instance
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