subprocess definition in a separate xml

[taurus]

Hello,

Is it possible to have a subprocess definition in a separate BPMN xml file so that this subprocess could be used by several application modules? I was searching for some 'include' tag in the BPMN xml, but didn't find anything.

Thanks!

[trademak]

Hi,

Sure. You can define a sub process in a separate process definition and invoke it from a call activity.
Note that this sub process can also be started as a main process definition as it's just a normal process definition.

Best regards,

[taurus]

Thanks for the quick answer!
Could you please share some xml examples or give some url to follow?

[trademak]

This is explained very well in the userguide. And in the Activiti download you can find all kind of process examples in the workspace directory.

Best regards,

[slaimankoeik]

Hello,
"And in the Activiti download you can find all kind of process examples in the workplace directory", you said
where are they ? can you provide a link ?

[mhw]

Hi taurus,

I have an example for you:
Main process (in file: Example_Spec_02_calling_process.bpmn20.xml):
<process id="callingProcess" name="Process with call activity">
  <startEvent id="theStart" />
  <sequenceFlow id="flow1" sourceRef="theStart" targetRef="startIgnition" />
  <manualTask id="startIgnition" name="Start ignition manutally" />
  <sequenceFlow id="flow2" sourceRef="startIgnition"
   targetRef="subProcess" />
  <callActivity id="subProcess" name="Check ignition status"
   calledElement="externalSubProcess" />
  <sequenceFlow id="flow3" sourceRef="subProcess"
   targetRef="measureVoltageTask" />
  <userTask id="measureVoltageTask" name="Measure voltage" />
  <sequenceFlow id="flow4" sourceRef="measureVoltageTask"
   targetRef="theEnd" />
  <endEvent id="theEnd" />
</process>
Subprocess(in file: Example_Spec_02_sub_process.bpmn20.xml):
<process id="externalSubProcess">

  <startEvent id="theStart" />
  <sequenceFlow id="flow1" sourceRef="theStart"
   targetRef="verifyIgnitionOn" />

  <userTask id="verifyIgnitionOn" name="Verify ignition on." />
  <sequenceFlow id="flow2" sourceRef="verifyIgnitionOn"
   targetRef="confirmIgnitionOn" />

  <exclusiveGateway id="confirmIgnitionOn" />
  <sequenceFlow id="flow3" sourceRef="confirmIgnitionOn"
   targetRef="feedbackTask">
   <conditionExpression><![CDATA[${!ignitionOn}]]></conditionExpression>
  </sequenceFlow>
  <sequenceFlow id="flow4" sourceRef="confirmIgnitionOn"
   targetRef="normalEnd">
   <conditionExpression><![CDATA[${ignitionOn}]]></conditionExpression>
  </sequenceFlow>

  <userTask id="feedbackTask" name="Ignition not activated." />
  <sequenceFlow id="flow5" sourceRef="feedbackTask"
   targetRef="endEvent" />
  <endEvent id="endEvent" />

  <endEvent id="normalEnd" />

</process>

My test method:
@Deployment(resources = {
   "com/bigfirm/wfe/test/res/Example_Spec_02_calling_process.bpmn20.xml",
   "com/bigfirm/wfe/test/res/Example_Spec_02_sub_process.bpmn20.xml" })
public void testSpec02SubProcess() throws Exception {
  // After the process has started, the 'Start ignition' task
  // should be active
  ProcessInstance pi = runtimeService
    .startProcessInstanceByKey("callingProcess");
  TaskQuery taskQuery = taskService.createTaskQuery();
  Task startIgnition = taskQuery.singleResult();
  assertEquals("Verify ignition on.", startIgnition.getName());

  // Verify with Query API
  ProcessInstance subProcessInstance = runtimeService
    .createProcessInstanceQuery()
    .superProcessInstanceId(pi.getId()).singleResult();
  assertNotNull(subProcessInstance);
  assertEquals(pi.getId(), runtimeService.createProcessInstanceQuery()
    .subProcessInstanceId(subProcessInstance.getId())
    .singleResult().getId());

  // Completing the task with approval, will end the subprocess and
  // continue the original process arriving at the "Measure voltage task"
  taskService.complete(startIgnition.getId(),
    CollectionUtil.singletonMap("ignitionOn", true));
  Task mesureVoltageTask = taskQuery.singleResult();
  assertEquals("Measure voltage", mesureVoltageTask.getName());
}

The important thing here is that both xml file has to be deployed.

Best regards,
Michael

ps: would be interested what example with sub process in different file I have overlooked. I have not found one in the activiti examples (which are very good and verbose - many thanks for that)

[taurus]

Thanks Michael for your helpful examples. I was successfully able to run the test.
Actually my concern was how to specify the xml filename to look for subprocess definition, but now I realize that engine looks in all xml resources.

Thank you very much again.

[amir_kourani]

I know i am very late to talk in this topic but how i can see the "called element" or subprocess in the activiti designer and activiti explorer.

[jbarrez]

eum … simply xml view or the properties window … ?

Don't quite get what you are looking for.

[hansbak]

I am even later in the process. Here  an absolute beginner…want to use the eclipse designer to map our company in levels of detail, so i try to use the callActivity

I am trying with Eclipse Luna (4.4.1) and the activiti plugin 5.15 and entered the above examples from MHW
The diagrams show fine, however i see no way of going from the calling process and then want to go to the subprocess. When i try to link the calling process to the subprocess the window is empty for selection.

It also says: The important thing here is that both xml file has to be deployed.

can i do that in the eclipse pugin? i did not see any option anywhere…..

your help is appreciated…

Regards,'Hans