Introduction

The JS7 - Inventory offers objects such as JS7 - Workflows, JS7 - Job Resources, JS7 - Resource Locks etc. that implement dependencies. For example, a Workflow references a Job Resource and a Resource Lock.

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Object Dependencies

Objects hold outgoing references to other objects and incoming references from other objects. The matrix looks like this:

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The recursive nature of dependencies can cause complexity, for example if a Job Resource or Notice Board should be renamed that are used by hundreds of workflows. To this purpose the JS7 offers automated dependency management.

Dependency Management

Updating Dependencies

The JS7 automatically keeps track of object dependencies.

• Though it is not required, manual invocation is offered from the action menu of the root folder in the Inventory view.
• Dependency updates are performed in background. For larger environments with thousands of workflows this can take a few minutes.
  
  

Showing Dependencies

For any object users can invoke the "Show dependencies" operation from the object's action menu in the navigation panel of the Inventory view. Results will be displayed from a popup window like this:

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• Dependencies are displayed for the given workflow.
• The workflow holds incoming references from Referencing Objects, for example from a Schedule.
• The workflow holds outgoing references from Referenced Objects, for example to a Job Resource, Notice Board, other Workflow etc.

Example

The example makes use of the object name pdDependencies-01 for all object types that implement dependencies. Accordingly pdDependencies-02 is the common name of a second set of objects.

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• The pdDependencies-01 Workflow references the pdDependencies-01 Job Resource and the pdDependencies-01 Resource Lock.
  • The Workflow references the pdDependencies-02 Workflow from a JS7 - AddOrder Instruction.
  • The Workflow references the pdDependencies-02 Notice Board
• The pdDependencies-02 Workflow references the pdDependencies-02 Notice Board etc.
  
  

Deploying Objects

When all objects are in draft status and the deploy operation is performed for the pdDependencies-01 Workflow, then this triggers cascading objects being added to the deployment:

• Cascading objects are preselected for deployment.
• Users can unselect objects if they are not required for consistent deployment.
  
  

Renaming Objects

If objects are renamed then references are updated in referencing objects:

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• The referencing workflow is selected and cannot be unselected as both updated objects must make it for a common deployment.
• Other related objects that are not affected by the Job Resource's new name, remain in the deployed status and are displayed but are not selected.
  
  

Removing Objects

If objects are removed then referencing objects must be removed too or must be revoked/recalled.

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