Starting a process instance via REST

[davidcarrico]

So I am trying to start a process instance using REST API. I have read the REST API, and am calling the following:

(POST) http://localhost:8080/activiti-rest/service/runtime/process-instances
Headers: Authorization: Basic a2VybWl0Omtlcm1pdA==

Content-Type: application/json
Body:
{"processDefinitionKey":"vacationRequest",
"variables":[
{"name":"employeeName", "value":"lola"}.
{"name":"numberOfDays", "value":"5"},
{"name":"startDate", "value":"10-08-2014 11:11"},
{"name":"vacationMotivation", "value":"tired"}
]}

Response: 400 bad request

Two questions:
1) Why would the above attempt result in 400? It is the example "Vacation Request" process definition in Activiti.
2) How do I determine which fields need to be included in this request to begin with? For example, is there a way to example the process definition to determine it needs: "employeeName", "numberOfDays", etc in order to start it.

Many thanks in advance!
Dave

[davidcarrico]

OK, i have solved the item #1. It appears the Format of the variables was wrong. Here is the right format (see below). I still really need answer to #2 though, thank you.

{"processDefinitionKey":"vacationRequest",
"variables":[
{"name":"employeeName", "value" : "dave"},
{"name":"numberOfDays", "value" : "5"},
{"name":"startDate", "value" : "10-08-2015 11:11"},
{"name":"vacationMotivation", "value" : "rest"}]}

[davidcarrico]

OK - I will be the guy who answers his own question today

Get All Process Definitions
GET
http://localhost:8080/activiti-rest/service/repository/process-definitions?size=1000

Get a specific process definition
GET
http://localhost:8080/activiti-rest/service/repository/process-definitions/vacationRequest:2:2514

Get tasks for a given process definition
GET
http://localhost:8080/activiti-rest/service/runtime/tasks?processDefinitionId=vacationRequest:2:2514

Get variables for first task in a given definition
GET
http://localhost:8080/activiti-rest/service/runtime/tasks/7543/variables

[jbarrez]

> OK - I will be the guy who answers his own question today smiley

I like that

[yzk0281]

Hi Barrez and David
I am wonder that if I can add someone in this vacationRequest to approve it
How  to point the one to approve this vacationRequest ?