Workflow API
Workflow APIGeneral
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Source Code
Overview
The Imixs Workflow API defines an easy to use Framework for a Workflow Management System. The framework consists of a set of components that provide different functions within a Workflow Management System. The interfaces can be implemented and extended as desired, creating a highly flexible and open workflow platform based on Java.
The general concepts
The Imixs Workflow API focus on human based workflow. This means business processes which are typical controled by humans and not by mashines. So one of the golas of the Imixs Worklfow is to provide users with a helpfull functionallity to get there work done.
The Imixs Worklfow API is used by Applications to provide the user with typical workflow functions to start a new process, finding a document and process running jobs. The following figure shows the typical flow of a document or datasheet from one user to another controlled by a Workflow Management System.
The Worklfow Management System - also called WFMS or Workflow System - controls the flow of a document or datasheet between the different users.
The Workitem
In a Workflow Management System the document or datasheed which is edited by different users is called a Workitem. A workitem can be present different states throw the flow of a workflow process. If a workitem is still processed by a user and not yet finished the workitem is called a running process instance. The status of a process instance is defined by the workflow model.
ToDos and Statuslist
A Workflow Management System provides a user with actual jobs or todos. Therefore a Workflow System has typcial functions ot view a list of running process instnaces (the Todo List). For example a ToDo list can be a list of new customers Orders of an online shop.
But a user is also able to monitor the processing status of a process instance using a statuslist. For example a statuslist is typical used by a cutomer to see the processing status of his order.
The Workflow Model
The Workflow Model defines which status a process instance can present. Each status is described by the Workflow Model. If a user finished his work on a workitem the process instanced is processed by the Workflow Management System to assume a new status. This change form one status to another is defined by a Workflow Activity.
The Actors
A Workflow Management System conrols which users can process a workitem in a specific status. Also a user will be informed by the Workflow System about a new workitem in its worklist. A user defined by the Workflow Model is called an actor. An Actior interacts with a workitem. Actors can either read or edit a running process instance. The Workflow Mangement System is responsible to grant access to a worktiem for a specific actor. This means that a user which is not in charge to process a workitem will not be allowed to access this process instance. So a Workflow Management System is also often used processing confidential informations in a business process.