About system functions

The built-in system functions perform logic-control and other functionality in the workflow. System functions are represented on the workflow map by system steps. Double-click on a system step to display the system function and its parameters.

System instructions fall into the following general categories:

System Function

Description

Parameters


General system functions
Assign

Assigns a value to a work item data field during processing.

Name of the data field.
Expression to update the data field.

Call

Executes another workflow map within the same workflow definition.

Name of the workflow map.

Create

Launches a new workflow; for example, to satisfy a WaitForCondition.

Name of workflow to launch.
Optional, assign values to data fields.

DbExecute

Executes a stored procedure in a database.

Name of the database.
Name of the stored procedure.
Data fields that will provide parameter values.

Delay

Suspend the processing of a workflow for a specified period of time.

Expression indicating the duration of delay or a specific time.

Log

Record a custom message in the event log when this system step executes

The message.

Return

Exits from a called workflow map and returns to the calling step.

<no parameters>

TerminateBranch

Ends processing of the current branch of the workflow. In a submap, it returns to the calling step.

<no parameters>

TerminateProcess

Ends processing of the workflow, including all branches.

<no parameters>

WaitForCondition

Suspends the processing of a workflow pending the creation of another, specific workflow having a specific condition identifier.

Name of waited-for workflow.
Comparison expression for the condition identifier.
Fields to be updated in the waiting and waited-for work items.
Time limit.


Time limit for processing
BeginTimer

The start of a period of time during which a specified series of steps should be completed.

A timer name.
A period of time.
Submap to call.

SuspendTimer

Allow for uninterrupted processing without actually ending the timer.

Name of timer to suspend.

ResumeTimer

Reactivate a suspended timer.

Name of timer to reactivate

EndTimer

Works with BeginTimer to mark the end of the series of steps.

Name of the timer to end.

EndAllTimers

Terminate all timers.

<no parameters>


Roll back workflow data values to a checkpoint
BeginCheckPoint

Marks the point at which values are saved for later use by the RollBackCheckPoint system function. Use with EndCheckPoint in conjunction with RollBackCheckPoint to roll back workflow data field values to the values held at a previous point in the processing.

<no parameters>

RollBackCheckPoint

The point where the saved values (saved when BeginCheckPoint executed) replace the current values in the data fields designated for roll back.

Rollback status of each data field.

An expression indicating where processing resumes after the rollback is complete.

  • True indicates the step after BeginCheckPoint
  • False indicates the step after RollBackCheckPoint.
EndCheckPoint

Marks the point where values previously saved by the BeginCheckPoint function are discarded and processing continues with the next instruction.

<no parameters>


Use Web Services in the workflow
Invoke

Request a web service.

Name of the partner link.
Operation.
Outgoing and Incoming messages.
Time limit specification.
Fault handling.
Correlation sets.

Receive

Provide a web service.

Name of the partner link
Operation.
Input parameters.
Correlation sets.

Reply

Reply to a previously accepted request for a service.

Name of the partner link and operation.
Output message.