Developing a Java Step Processor
This topic assumes you have:
Planning and Design Checkpoints
Modifying the Sample Java Step Processor
To modify and deploy the supplied sample Java Step Processor:
- Compile and run MainSample and the sample classes called (including the sample Java Step Processor and/or Launch Step Processor) to verify that they work correctly in your development environment. See MainSample.
- Customize the sample Java Step Processor.
- Complete the Java Step Processor.
Building Your Own Java Step Processor
To build your own Java Step Processor:
- Use standard Swing or AWT, or the Java
Step Processor UI Toolkit. If you use the Java Step Processor UI Toolkit, add the
vwpanel.jar file (supplied with the Process development environment) to your IDE panel container.
- When a workflow user opens a step assignment that references a Step Processor,
the user is presented with a popup window containing the Step Processor
user interface. For information on the algorithm used to determine which
application to select for this step, see Opening
Step Processors.
- Create the Step Processor class. Use the Process Java API to:
- Login to the Process Engine and establish a Process session..
- Query User and Work queues for work items (such as, Step Elements).
- Lock retrieved objects.
- Update workflow data.
- Complete the step.
- Use the Content Java APIs to integrate with the Content Engine.
If you are using an IDE, you can use the VWTabbedPane control and the
VWAttachmentPanel beans (included with vwpanel.jar) to access attachments stored
in Content Engine Object or File Stores; otherwise, you can use the VWAttachmentPanel
bean in a manner similar to that used with the Java Step Processor UI Toolkit to access Content Engine attachments (see Working
with the VWAttachmentPanel).
- See Completing the Java Step Processor.
Completing your Java Step Processor development is the same regardless or whether you modify the sample or build your own:
- Compile your Java Step Processor.
- Create and sign a JAR file that includes the customized Java Step Processor.
- Deploy the Java application.
- Add the custom Processor to a workflow.