Workflow in Java or perl?

Hi All,
I am very new to the CSSDK programming.
I've been reading the documentation on CSSDK and I get the understanding that if we use this model, then we are looking at a client-server architecture model for any interaction with TeamSite server(Am I right???)

I develop workflow for TeamSite and I like to know if I can have the same flexibility with workflow development as with perl if I use CSSDK. Would users have to log into a completely different application to hook to TeamSite? How would they browse to their files on TeamSite without loging directly into TeamSite?

Are there a lot of companies using CSSDK only and don't use perl for worflow programming at all?

My other question is, when we invoke a workflow with CSSDK, we can invoke a java program for an external task in the workflow???

I have so many questions. If someone can brief me on this, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance!
Anna.

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Migrateduser

I develop workflow for TeamSite and I like to know if I can have the same flexibility with workflow development as with perl if I use CSSDK.

No there is not one to one corresponding tags in java eg __INSERT__ . You need to generate the job specification file and then use it to instantiate the workflow in TeamSite.

Would users have to log into a completely different application to hook to TeamSite? How would they browse to their files on TeamSite without loging directly into TeamSite?

You still need valid TeamSite user id and password to connect to TeamSite using CSSDK clients.

My other question is, when we invoke a workflow with CSSDK, we can invoke a java program for an external task in the workflow???

Even without using CSSDK you can use a java program for an externaltask.

I have so many questions. If someone can brief me on this, I'd really appreciate it.

- Generate the job specification files that confirms to iwwf.dtd
- use CSDK soap to connect to TeamSite
- use the CSSDK method CSWorkflowEngine.createWorkflow() to instantiate a workflow.

Nicholas

Why don't you refer the CSSDK docs for detailed information.
Sample code also available.
Couple of articles are also available to reference. here is one

Hope this will help

Thanks Nicholas

Annad

Hi,
I don't want to worry about CSSDK. How do I call a java program from my external task? I guess I'll have to compile the javacode and call the .class file from within the .wft file?

Thanks,
Anna

Annad

Hi
Anyone got the answer to this.

I am not quite sure since I don't see any posts regarding workflows developed in Java.

~Anna~

ISCBorisB

I don't want to worry about CSSDK. How do I call a java program from my external task?

External task command tag allows you to call anything using the same syntax as you would if working with server shell. So:
<command v="java myClass ..../>
Note however that it is an external task responsibility to perform proper WF transition to following
task(s). So, you would have to either code that in your Java (and that means sorry to say CSSDK)
or write a little perl wrapper that would call your Java and perform transition when it's executed.

I guess I'll have to compile the javacode and call the .class file from within the .wft file?

No. wft is a Workflow template, it *generates* a workflow based on your code and user input and that's it.
(To be a little more formal, executed WFT creates "Workflow Specifications", just an XML defining Job and Tasks)

WF Engine creates, executes and terminates WFs. Sure, you will have to write/compile your Java
Application in order to run it as described above.

chandraiw

java program invocation can be wrapped up in a shell script that is triggered from a workflow (WFT file). This is handy when you need to include many jars in the classpath etc or need to tune other java runtime parameters or set couple of environment variables etc

Command line versions (say, iwcallback) can be used for workflow transitioning stuff rather than CSSDK.

-Chandra

ISCBorisB

java program invocation can be wrapped up in a shell script that is triggered from a workflow (WFT file). This is handy when you need to include many jars in the classpath etc or need to tune other java runtime parameters or set couple of environment variables etc

Command line versions (say, iwcallback) can be used for workflow transitioning stuff rather than CSSDK.

-Chandra

Perl or Shell script - it's a wrapper still around your Java code.

I would recommend Perl. Sure, if you always have single successor you can use iwcallback.
If you have several successors though and transition depends on the results of execution - good
luck coding that in shell scripting language

chandraiw

Perl or Shell script - it's a wrapper still around your Java code.

I would recommend Perl. Sure, if you always have single successor you can use iwcallback.
If you have several successors though and transition depends on the results of execution - good
luck coding that in shell scripting language

Scripts using Perl would be platform neutral. So, I second the recommendation. Smiley Happy

But, callback doesn't have to be in a wrapper script...

-Chandra

Annad

Hi,
thanks for both of your replies.

I like to know what is commonly used when developing workflows, perl or Java (through CSSDK)? I personally like perl since TeamSite ships with all kinds of TS custom perl modules for workflow related things.

What would you recommend?

thanks,
Anna.

ISCBorisB

But, callback doesn't have to be in a wrapper script

Good point. She can certainly use CLT instead of CSSDK to callback from external task program.

Workflow provides excution context though. If she does not want CSSDK and we exclude wrapping, how would she pass attached Files for example?
Sure, we can parse WF Objects or use iwgetelog, etc...IMHO there are better ways to waste one's time.

ISCBorisB

Hi,
thanks for both of your replies.

I like to know what is commonly used when developing workflows, perl or Java (through CSSDK)? I personally like perl since TeamSite ships with all kinds of TS custom perl modules for workflow related things.

What would you recommend?

thanks,
Anna.

With CSSDK it is in my opinion a matter of your/your Company preferences and level of expertise.
Without CSSDK use Perl, no questions

chandraiw

Workflow provides excution context though. If she does not want CSSDK and we use shell scripting, how would she pass attached Files for example?
Sure, we can parse WF Objects or use iwgetelog, etc...IMHO there are better ways to waste one's time.

Attached files are passed in as arguments to the external task script unless speicifically disabled. There is more than one way to program in Teamsite Smiley Happy

-Chandra

ISCBorisB

There is more than one way to program in Teamsite

Absolutely, just like about to do anything. I fail to see however what's the point of creating extra obstacles and then heroically overcome them.

TestReport.rptdesign

Bill Klish

You didn't mention what version of TeamSite you are trying to run this on. Starting with TS 6.7 you can gain a lot performance wise using the urltasks that essentially allow you to have Java external tasks accessed and used within the same JVM as TeamSite Content Center is running in.

We are using Java exclusively for workflow CGI and external tasks. The CS SDK is very robust.

If you don't have the java expertise then I agree with the recommendation to use Perl.

iw_store

Hi,
thanks for both of your replies.

I like to know what is commonly used when developing workflows, perl or Java (through CSSDK)? I personally like perl since TeamSite ships with all kinds of TS custom perl modules for workflow related things.

What would you recommend?

thanks,
Anna.

I recommend perl...

kaalraa

Hi,
thanks for both of your replies.
I like to know what is commonly used when developing workflows, perl or Java (through CSSDK)? I personally like perl since TeamSite ships with all kinds of TS custom perl modules for workflow related things.
What would you recommend?
thanks,
Anna.

I would also like to go with Perl as it has numerous of capabilities and abilities to play around with text and as TS is associated with content management... so it is the BEST.