BeginTimer system function

Use the BeginTimer system function to specify the beginning of a series of steps to be executed within a specified period of time. The BeginTimer system function indicates the timer name, the duration, and the name of the workflow submap to execute if the timer expires. The BeginTimer function gets it's times from the server. For further information see About setting a time limit for processing.

To specify a BeginTimer system function

  1. From the Timer Palette, drag a BeginTimer step onto the workflow map.

    See About system steps for information about including multiple system functions in a single step.

  2. Enter a name for the timer. The name can be a string literal (enclosed in double quotes), a data field (of type string) in the workflow definition, or a complex expression that resolves to a string. See Expressions for additional information.
  3. In the Expiration Time field, specify either a period of time (duration) or a specific time.
    • For a period of time, enter a valid time expression that returns the desired expiration time. The expression must comply with the general guidelines for expressions. The entry should include a time function.

      For example, to specify that a time expire after 45 minutes, enter the following expression:

      addminutes(systemtime(), 45)

    • For a specific time, enter the time as a string expression that you convert to type time using either stringtotime or convert.

      For example, to specify an expiration time of 01/01/2001 12:00:00, enter either:

      • convert("01/01/2001 12:00:00",time) or
      • stringtotime("01/01/2001 12:00:00","mm/dd/yyyy hh:tt:ss")
  4. Select a workflow map to call if the timer expires before an EndTimer system function executes. In addition to user-defined maps, you can choose a system map.

TIP Entering a specific time is generally not recommended because doing so can limit the reusability of the workflow definition. The timer will expire immediately if the system function executes after the specified time as already passed.