Searching process instances

[chuck_irvine]

We anticipate that we will need to perform detailed searches across process instances. In particular, we would like to search for process instances matching against form field values and process variable values. I don't see that the existing GUI offers this level of searching. Also, I do see an API that allows me to search for tasks matching on field values but I don't see any API that allows me to search for process instances matching either field or process variables.

First, is there existing searching functionality that I've missed. Second, what is the potential and advisability of searching via direct SQL to the Activiti database?

Thanks!!

[jbarrez]

Form fields are stored as process variables under the hood. So what you are looking for is the API where you can query on variables.
In the Java API, the ProcessInstanceQuery has this capability.

Activiti also supports 'native queries' which you can use to pretty much do as you please, with a small mybatis layer over it.

[chuck_irvine]

Thanks very much for the information. I would be great if this functionality were exposed via a REST API.

[jbarrez]

If it's for tasks/process instances, then that functionality is exposed via the API's.