Step Processor and Launch Step Processor Overview

This section contains information describing the structure and operation of both the HTML Step and Launch Step Processors and the Java Step and Launch Step Processors samples. Additionally, this section includes general information on customizing the existing samples.

Within the context of Panagon Web WorkFlo and WorkFlo Services, the terms "Step Processor" and "Launch Step Processor" have specific meanings, as follows:

The Step Processor and Launch Step Processor samples included in the Panagon eProcess Toolkit represent a close approximation of the Processors as they are implemented in Panagon Web WorkFlo. (In the case of the HTML processors, the toolkit files are the actual Step Processor and Launch Step Processor modules, components, and files implemented in Web WorkFlo.) While you can reuse these samples in a web-based application, these Processor samples are not meant to be the only starting place for workflow development. Rather, these samples represent only one way of developing applications that can launch workflows or process steps in a workflow.

To modify the Step Processors or Launch Step Processors you must first know how to use the eProcess APIs. In fact, one helpful way of looking at Step Processors and Launch Step Processors is to view them as specialized applications that make extensive use of the eProcess APIs. The sections in this guide discussing how to modify the HTML- and Java-based versions of the samples assume that you have some understanding of the eProcess APIs and how they are used.

Panagon Web WorkFlo includes two sets of Toolkit files, depending on the development focus, for understanding and modifying Step Processors and Launch Step Processors:

Note The Java and HTML Step Processors support a Read-only mode. This mode opens when an end user only has Read-only permission on a work queue in which the work object is located. The user is notified of the Read-only mode when the Step Processor opens. However, in Read-only mode any changes a user makes are discarded. Additionally, while in the Read-only mode the Step Processor interface displays only the following options: Cancel, Status (if the workflow definition allows), and Help.