8.6

Database Query
Database Query action task retrieves data from various databases to use as input data. The
data received by the task may be kept as is or converted to the CSV, Fixed Length Columns or
XML format.
Database Query action tasks are not considered input tasks as such, because they cannot be
used to start a process. Although they cannot be used to get the process’ initial input, they can
be used to gather secondary input (see "Input Tasks" on page189). In cases where all your
data comes from databases, you can use a Create File input task as a dummy task at the
beginning of your process, and then use a PlanetPress Workflow Database action task to
gather your actual data.
Technical
Database Query action tasks require version 2.5 or higher of the Microsoft Data Access
Components (MDAC), including JET 4.0.
When adding a Database Query action task, you have two options:
l You can use static properties (properties that will remain the same regardless of the data
processed at run-time). This option lets you use an Open DataBase Connectivity (ODCB)
compliant data source. You can also edit the SQL statement that assembles the database
table. Note that you can import a database connection configuration that you previously
exported from PlanetPress Design (when you created a document) or from PlanetPress
Workflow (when you set up a sample data file for a process).
l You can use dynamic properties (properties that include variables or data available at
run-time). This option lets you create a dynamic database connection string as well as an
SQL statement that changes based on the data processed by PlanetPress Workflow.
Note that this option will not let you test the query performed by this task before it is
performed with actual data.
Input
Any data file. The data file will be discarded by the task.
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