How to Initiate a Workflow and set forms data using LAPI

Vinayak_Muzumdar_(vinayakmuzumdar_-_(deleted))

How to Initiate a Workflow and set forms data?We need to initiate work flow from LAPI such that template table for attached form should also be populated can some one help on this.reply to rajesh.paranjpe@siemens.com

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Mahmoud_Dayeh_(ecead_mad_-_(deleted))

To Initiate a workflow & populate form---------------------------------------------Step 1. Load Workflow Map information using LoadMap function. It returns you work_package in map field.Step 2. Retrieve your desired form from work_package and fill its values using forms API.Update Work_package.Step 3. Use StartWorkflow function to initiate workflow.sounds simple??:-)CheersVishal(vishal@ecead.ae)

Vinayak_Muzumdar_(vinayakmuzumdar_-_(deleted))

Thanks for the reply. we are also following the same steps but we are having problems in setting form values.do you have sample code to prepare work package??

Mahmoud_Dayeh_(ecead_mad_-_(deleted))

Well, I havent worked with forms LAPI before, so I dont have sample code with me :(I assume you must have already worked with following Forms related LAPI functions.1.GetFormInfo2.GetRevisableData3.GetTemplateInfo4.ListData5.SaveRevisableData6.SubmitForm7.UpdateSubmittedDataAre you facing problem with any specific function in above list? If you can post your code,it would be easier to pin the problem.

Vinayak_Muzumdar_(vinayakmuzumdar_-_(deleted))

Hi,We are trying submit form function to initiate workflow and save the user data in template table.The code goes as follows/*Code starts here*//*Get connection to LL server*/LLSession session;session = new LLSession ("localhost", 3099, "", "Admin", "livelink", null);/*Populate */ LAPI_FORMS forms = new LAPI_FORMS(session) ; int volumeID =-2003; int objID =30658;/*Populate the flat data and data structure seems some problem here.**/ LLValue flatData = (new LLValue().setAssoc()); LLValue data = (new LLValue().setAssoc()); data.add("empname","Rajesh Paranjpe"); data.add("empno","2099"); // here check this structure flatData.add("empname","Rajesh Paranjpe"); flatData.add("empno","2099"); int status = forms.SubmitForm(volumeID,objID,flatData,data) ;/*Till here**/This code initiates workflow also we see entries in template table but the fields empno and empname are blank.There seems to be some problem in format taht we are passing data to data and flart data assocs.If u have any information please let us know.Regards Rajesh

Krishnankutty_Nair

Frankly Rajesh,I believe your data is being submitted to the underlying table.I just used your code not in a workflow but as a regular api form.I have enclosed a java file and some debugging info .If you use the printTypeTree function and you have access to see the raw data in the oracle tables you may get a better idea.Unfortunately I do not use SQLtables in livelink forms or in the context of a workflowbut I have reason to beleive that if you want a workflow package replete with forms,you should use the AccessWorkPackage figure out the form template that is being used,manipulate that data structure and initiate the workflow.In otherwords what I think you are doing is initiating a workflow .Then you are calling a form and updating itlike you would submit a form thru the GUI.I could be wrong though.I will let the other LAPI users comment on that.I know this does not help in your endeavour but I am hoping this may give you ideas .

Vinayak_Muzumdar_(vinayakmuzumdar_-_(deleted))

Dear KrishnaKutty ,Thanks a lot.The code sample you gave was really helpfull.The helper function printTypeTree is also very useful.It will help to understand underling data structure.One problem we have now is our form has revision mechanism none and submission mechanism initiate workflow.Our workflow map has storage mechanism as sqlTable.In this secnario there seems to be some problem.We are evaluating what impact making revision mechanis to sqlTable has on our application.Hope that works.Any comments on this.

Krishnankutty_Nair

The best thing that you could do is to come up with the architechture of the application like how all the different objects fall into place.From your post it is very unclear to us what the app looks like.For eg a livelink workflow can be initiated from the GUI,thru LAPI,thru XMLWFIC,thru a FORM, thru some other contrived mechanism.But all said and done it still depends on a workflow map,its package definitions and so on.But if your qn is can LAPI be used in the context of initiating,updating a workflow(including attachments, workflow attributes,comments,livelink forms based on a livelink form template ) it is definitely possible and doable.I have done several things in lapi and oscript that manipulate the data structures of a workflow in livelink.let me also add that Oscript in this case is more easy as you can actually see the things in the builder.You will probably need builder anyway to debug very cryptic LAPI calls.

Marcia_Gillespie-Norder_(tokeleadmin_-_(deleted))

Rajesh,If you still would like some workflow/form code samples (Java LAPI) after all of these replies, let me know (Kevin.Hutson@us.tel.com). That applies for anyone of course. I don't mind sharing a little knowledge as long as it goes both ways :-)I have done a few different Java LAPI web applications now. The workflow code is the ugliest and I am so not proud of it. But it works. Some of it is still sample code I got from support, but I modified it quite a bit so I could understand what it was trying to do. And, I added a sort of special bean class to help me load up the form fields first. Formark handled workflow form attributes very nicely in their COM wrapper (LLCOM2). I truly wish they would sell something like this for Java LAPI. Alas, they are a Microsoft shop..This probably goes in another topic, but one thing I have the worst problem with in Java LAPI is the workflow and forms integration. Despite my best efforts I cannot get to the form (but I can get the workpackage minus the form) during workflow initiation. I have a hack workaround. I can get to it on any subsequent step, so I add a "LAPI Init Step" that the workflow participants never see. So, I init the workflow, then immediately access this user step as an assignment.So, you are not alone in your struggles :-)Cheers,Kevin HutsonTokyo Electron U.S. Holdings

haoest

The sample code above works really well for a standalone form, but after a whole days of trial and error, I still can't get it to update forms integrated in a workflow.

Does anyone has sample please?