Chapter 9. Constraints

A constraint is a boolean expression that is evaluated when an element containing a constraint is executed. You can use constraints in various parts of your process, such as in a diverging gateway.

Red Hat Process Automation Manager supports two types of constraints, including:

  • Code constraints: Constraints that are defined in Java, Javascript, Drools, or MVEL. Code constraints can access the data in the working memory, including the global and process variables. The following code constraint examples contain person as a variable in a process:

    Example Java code constraint

    return person.getAge() > 20;

    Example MVEL code constraint

    return person.age > 20;

    Example Javascript code constraint

    person.age > 20

  • Rule constraints: Constraints that are defined in the form of DRL rule conditions. Rule constraints can access the data in the working memory, including global variables. However, rule constraints cannot access the variables directly in a process but using a process instance. To retrieve the reference of the parent process instance, use the processInstance variable of the type WorkflowProcessInstance.

    Note

    You can insert a process instance into the session and update it if necessary, for example, using Java code or an on-entry, on-exit, or explicit action in your process.

    The following example shows a rule constraint, searching for a person with the same name as the value of the name variable in the process.

    Example rule constraint with process variable assignment

    processInstance : WorkflowProcessInstance()
Person( name == ( processInstance.getVariable("name") ) )
# add more constraints here ...