How to pass parameter from one <externaltask> to another?

Hi,
I want to pass a parameter from one externaltask to another.

I have an external task called UpdateDatabase, which is called by 2 possible earlier tasks. Depending on which task called it, I want UpdateDatabase to set a different value in the DB. Hence, I want the preceding task to supply a parameter.

Is this possible? If so, how can I achieve this?

Thanks,
John

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Comments

srosewall

How about using workflow job variables?

You could do something like the following to create a job variable in an external task:

use TeamSite::WFworkflow;

$workflow = new TeamSite::WFworkflow($wfid);
$workflow->CreateVariable("DBFlag", $dbflag);

And then you can look for the variable later in the workflow with something like the following in a later external task:

use TeamSite::WFworkflow;

my $workflow = new TeamSite::WFworkflow($wfid);
my $headNumber = $workflow->GetVariable("DBFlag");

Should work a treat!

Cheers,
Stuart

Adam Stoller

How about using workflow job variables?

You could do something like the following to create a job variable in an external task:

use TeamSite::WFworkflow;

$workflow = new TeamSite::WFworkflow($wfid);
$workflow->CreateVariable("DBFlag", $dbflag);

And then you can look for the variable later in the workflow with something like the following in a later external task:

use TeamSite::WFworkflow;

my $workflow = new TeamSite::WFworkflow($wfid);
my $headNumber = $workflow->GetVariable("DBFlag");

Should work a treat!

Cheers,
Stuart

I think this is close, but not quite there. The job variable should be created and initialized to the empty string ("") within the WFT.
Also within the WFT, augment both of the potential predecessor tasks to include a

wfvarfinishop

element (RTM TeamSite Workflow Developer's Guide for details) to have them set a unique (per task) value in that job variable.
Then ... you can access the job variable in the externaltask script.
However, I'd suggest the following as better code:

...
use TeamSite::WFworkflow;
use TeamSite::WFtask;
...
my ($jobid, $taskid) = @ARGV;
my $task = TeamSite::WFtask->new($taskid);
if (! $task->IsValid()) {
    die "Invalid taskid '$taskid' found - aborting!";
}
my $workflow   = TeamSite::WFworkflow->new($wfid);
if (! $workflow->IsValid()){
    $task->CallBack(0, "Invalid jobid '$jobid' found");
    die "Invalid jobid '$jobid' found";
}
my $headNumber = $workflow->GetVariable("DBFlag");
...
$task->CallBack(1, "Done");

The major take-aways from the above are:

So endeth today's lesson ;-)

kaalraa

2 possible earlier tasks.

Which type of tasks are they? External, User ???

1.zip