Process Data Logger

Usage

You can use the Process Data Logger to log process-specific data. Possible uses include:

Accessing current values for system variables
Logging values from XML-based input messages.
Filling a database column with static values and using the variables mapping to overwrite these values with workflow specific values during the workflow execution.

Available table and column names will be displayed as in the database (case-sensitive).

Virtimo AG recommends logging at minimum the global process ID, the workflow process ID and the time stamp.

To view the logged data, go to the Monitoring > Process Log tab.

Refer to Displaying Business-Related Process Data in the Process Log.

Configuring the Process Data Logger

Prerequisites

You need a sample message with the same structure as the XML that you want to document.

Proceed as follows

Generate a Process Data Logger-type model.
In the dialog (refer to Dialog Processing Rule Properties in the Complex Lookup Table), select the data target where you would like to save the logged process data. An example for a data target would be the INUBIT log database.
Do one of the following, to specify in which table the data is to be stored:
- Select one of the already existing tables.
- To create a new table, click the DB Manager button. The Dialog Database Manager opens.
  
  In the mapping table, all columns of the selected table are displayed.
For each column, specify the source of the data that you want to document:
- To log elements’ values from XML input messages
  1. In the row containing the desired table column, select the checkbox in column D.
  2. To define the XML element whose data are to be logged, double-click the Value column. The button is displayed.
  3. Click the button. The XPath Assistant opens.
  4. Load your sample XML message.
  5. Drag the desired XML element in the XPath field.
  6. Click OK to close the dialog.
- To log workflow variable values
  1. Specify the row in which the variable is to be placed by activating the checkbox in that row in column V.
  2. In the same row, click the Value column and select the desired workflow variable from the list or enter its name directly in the field. You must enter the name of a workflow variable created manually in the field directly.
- To add static values
  1. Do not select any option (neither D nor V).
  2. Double click into the field Value and enter a string. To comfortably enter longer texts, click the button. A text editor is displayed.
- Leave column empty
  
  Select the option Ignore to the right of the column.
  
  Now, the column is ignored during processing.
When you have finished configuring the log table, click Finish.

→ The dialog closes, and you can use the configured Process Data Logger.

Dialog Process Data Logger Properties

This dialog offers the following options:

Logging target

Database

Target where all data which are to be logged are stored.

Shows all published Database Connectors which are available for the current user.

Another possible target is the IS Log Database of the INUBIT Process Engine.
Table/DB Manager

For selecting a table in the given database.

If there are no appropriate tables yet or an existing table structure needs to be changed, the DB Manager button opens the Dialog Database Manager so that one or more database tables can be created.

Mapping table

This table displays all columns of the selected table. You can specify for each column whether it is to be filled with data and if so, from which source the data to be logged originates.

XPath to the reference node

Sets the element in the input message that will be used to iterate, and which functions as a reference for all subsequent XPath information in the Value column.

Element of the input message with following functions:
- Paths to elements which are located underneath the reference node can be entered relatively to the reference node.
- If the element exists multiple times in the input message, then the XSLT processor iterates over it.
Column D (Data)

When activated, the corresponding column in the database table will be populated with values from XML-formatted input messages.

In the field Value an editor can be opened for loading an example message.
Column V (Variable)

When activated, the corresponding columns in the database table will be populated with values from the specified system variable.

The field Value provides a list of all system variables.

If none of both options is selected, any string can be entered as value.
Column Value

Possible details are
- XPath of an XML element,
- any string,
- a system variable.
Column Ignore

If selected, the corresponding table column will be ignored and will not be output. If the option is not selected and no value is given, the column contains just a space.
Reset (button)

Reloads the module’s settings which were stored most recently. This command equates to clicking on Cancel and re-opening the dialog.

Refer to Configuring the Process Data Logger.