Compatibility and Analogy of Models

This chapter covers the following:

Compatibility of Models created in the Eclipse-based Modeler with Models created in the Modeling Perspective

The Modeling perspective supports Web-based modeling. However, when it comes to importing models created in the Stardust's Eclipse-based modeler to the Modeling Perspective and vice versa, some restrictions are encountered. To ensure smooth deployment of models, you need to alter some of the elements in the model before you import. The following elements need special treatment either in the Eclipse-based modeler or the Modeling perspective:

Representation of Gateways created in the Eclipse-based Modeler

Gateways need to have correct interpretation when you import the Eclipse-based model with gateways in the Modeling perspective. In the Modeling perspective, gateways are first class elements (you can drag-and-drop gateway symbol from the toolbar). However, there is no first class diagram element for gateways in the Eclipse-based modeler. That's why models created in the Stardust's Eclipse-based modeler and to be imported in the Modeling perspective should use the Convert Gateways functionality in the Eclipse-based modeler.

If the model contains gateways, then right-click the process definition in Outline view and select Convert Gateways.


Figure: Eclipse-based Modeler - Convert Gateways

A route activity is created as first class element to represent the gateway, which can be imported in the Modeling perspective.


Figure: Eclipse Model after Gateway Conversion

The control flow in this route activity is set to the type of the split or join control flow of the activity the gateway is referring to.


Figure: Route Activity - Control Flow

Once you convert gateways, you can import the model in the Modeling perspective.


Figure: Gateways interpreted in the Modeling perspective

For more information on Convert Gateways functionality, please refer to the chapter Converting Gateways to a Format compatible with the Modeling Perspective Converting Gateways to a Format compatible with the Modeling Perspective of the Modeling Guide. Modeling Guide in the Stardust Documentation.

Representation of Gateways created in the Modeling Perspective

Gateways added in the Modeling perspective are displayed in the Eclipse-based modeler as route activities. The control flow property of the route activity is set according to the following rules:


Figure: Gateways interpreted in Eclipse-based Modeler

Note that the route activity used for gateways in the Modeling perspective acts as an auxiliary activity and hence, is not displayed anywhere in Stardust Portal.

Swim Lanes

Models created in the Eclipse-based modeler should support BPMN drawing mode (pools and lanes). When imported, only those models are displayed properly in the Modeling Perspective.

Conditional Sequence Flow

The Modeling perspective supports setting conditional sequence flow only from gateways to activities. However, if you import a model created in the Eclipse-based modeler and it has conditional sequence flow from activity to activity. In that case, you can edit the transition condition in the Modeling perspective. Also, you can save, deploy and execute the model in the Modeling perspective.

Cross Modeling

In cross modeling, to maintain the references between the models, the imported referenced model should be kept in the same project folder. If the imported model resides at any other location then the references are not resolved by the Eclipse-based modeler and the Modeling perspective.

Importing Eclipse Models having non-Java Conform IDs

The Eclipse-based models having IDs that are not Java conform identifiers may cause problems when imported to the Modeling perspective. Currently, the Modeling perspective cannot handle IDs that are not Java conform identifiers.

Read-only Models

For compatibility issues with read-only models, refer to the section Eclipse Compatibility of Read-only Models of the chapter Model Properties.

Events

Models containing intermediate events may cause inconsistency warnings and errors when opened in the Eclipse-based modeler which may prevent direct deployment from the Eclipse-based modeler.

Event Action Types

Only one event action can be defined per event in the Modeling perspective.

Eclipse Action Type Handler Types Modeling perspective Action Type Modeling perspective Alternative
Abort Process Timer, On Exception Follows Exception Flow. A validation is performed whether a connection exists and a warning message is displayed in the UI. Also, on model deployment a warning/error message is displayed. Create a model with exception flow to an End Event.
Abort Activity Timer, On Exception Follows Exception Flow Set the Interrupt flag on the Event General Properties.
Delegate Activity Timer, On Exception, On Activity State Change, On Assignment Not supported Delegation should be modeled with a Sequence Flow to another Task executed by a different Participant.
Send Mail Timer, On Exception, On Activity State Change, On Assignment Follow Exception Flow Create a model with exception flow to a Mail Application
Process Trigger Timer, On Exception, On Activity State Change, On Assignment Follow Exception Flow Create a model with exception flow to a subprocess.
Set Data Timer, On Exception, On Activity State Change, On Assignment Follow Exception Flow This can be modeled with Route Activities or Message Transformation Applications
Activate Activity Timer, On Exception, On Assignment Not supported No Alternative
Complete Activity Timer, On Exception, Follow Exception Flow No Alternative
Schedule Activity Timer, On Exception, On Activity State Change Not supported No Alternative
Exclude User On Assignment, Not supported No Alternative

Multiple on assignment event handlers

The Eclipse-based model may contain multiple on assignment event handlers. If such a model is imported in the Modeling perspective, then only the first On Assignment handler is displayed in the Exclude User action and all the other On Assignment handlers are ignored. Though, only one On Assignment handler is supported, it can have arbitrary number of Exclude User actions.

with Models created in the Modeling Perspective

The Stardust supports creation of workflow models in two ways. Firstly, you can create models in the Stardust's Eclipse-based modeler and secondly, in the Modeling perspective of the Stardust. However, when you import model created in the Eclipse-based modeler, some of the model elements are not supported in the Modeling perspective. For those unsupported elements, you should use the Stardust's Eclipse-based modeler.

Unsupported Elements

Unsupported elements are displayed in the My Process Models panel and the Process Diagrams view but you can only edit General Properties of these elements.

Following table summarizes the operations for unsupported elements:

Function Supported Not Supported
Create - Not Supported
Edit Only General Properties are editable Other specific properties such as, class name for Java application type are not editable
View Only General properties are displayed Other specific properties such as, class name for Java application type are not displayed
Rename Supported -
Delete Supported -

Also, the message is displayed for each unsupported element in its General Properties page.


Figure: Unsupported Model Element

Following is the list of unsupported model elements.

Element Type
Document List Data
Folder Data
Folder List Data
Entity Bean Data
Hibernate Data Data
XML Document Data
Serializable Data Data
DMS Application Application
JMS Application Application
Message Parsing Application Application
Message Serialization Application Application
Plain Java Application Application
Session Bean Application Application
Spring Bean Application Application
XSL Message Transformation Application Application
JFC Application Application
JSF Application Application

Note that the Default Diagram is also not supported.

Restrictions in Modeler Functionality

The following functionality is not yet available in the Modeling perspective: