4.0

Table Of Contents
You create a Trigger object in a JavaScript function in a Scriptable Task element. This Scriptable Task element
can be part of the trigger-based long-running workflow that waits for the trigger event. Alternatively, it can
be part of a different workflow that provides input parameters to the trigger-based long-running workflow.
The trigger function must implement the createEndOfTaskTrigger() method from the Orchestrator API.
IMPORTANT You must define a timeout period for all triggers, otherwise the workflow can wait indefinitely.
Prerequisites
You must have created a workflow, opened it for editing in the workflow editor, and added some elements to
the workflow schema. The workflow must declare a VC:Task object as an attribute or input parameter, such as
a VC:Task object from a workflow or workflow element that starts or clones a virtual machine.
Procedure
1 Drag a Scriptable Task element from the Generic menu into the schema of a workflow.
2 Link the Scriptable Task element to the elements that precede and follow it in the workflow schema.
One of the elements that precedes the Scriptable Task must generate a VC:Task object as its output
parameter.
3 Click the Scriptable Task element to show its properties tabs in the bottom half of the Schema tab.
4 Provide a name and description for the trigger in Info properties tab.
5 Click the IN properties tab.
6 Right-click in the IN tab and select Bind to workflow parameter/attribute.
The input parameter selection dialog box opens.
7 Select or create an input parameter of the type VC:Task.
This VC:Task object represents the time-consuming event that another workflow or element launches.
8 (Optional) Select or create an input parameter of the Number type to define a timeout period in seconds.
9 Click the OUT properties tab.
10 Right-click in the OUT tab and select Bind to workflow parameter/attribute.
The output parameter selection dialog box opens.
11 Create an output parameter with the following properties.
a Create the Name property with the value trigger.
b Create the Type property with the value Trigger.
c Click Create ATTRIBUTE with same name to create the attribute.
d Leave the value as Not set.
12 Define any exception behavior in the Exceptions properties tab.
13 Define a function to generate a Trigger object in the Scripting tab.
For example, you could create a Trigger object by implementing the following JavaScript function.
trigger = task.createEndOfTaskTrigger(timeout);
The createEndOfTaskTrigger() method returns a Trigger object that monitors a VC:Task object named
task.
14 Click Save at the bottom of the workflow editor.
You defined a workflow element that creates a trigger event for a trigger-based long-running workflow. The
trigger element generates a Trigger object as its output parameter, to which a Waiting Event element can bind.
Chapter 2 Developing Workflows
VMware, Inc. 63