4.1

Table Of Contents
Developing Workflows 2
You develop workflows in the Orchestrator client interface. Workflow development involves using the
workflow editor, the built-in Mozilla Rhino JavaScript scripting engine, and the Orchestrator and vCenter
Server APIs.
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Principal Phases in the Workflow Development Process on page 14
The process for developing a workflow involves a series of phases.
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Accessing the Orchestrator Client on page 15
By default, all Orchestrator users can access the Orchestrator client. However, for security reasons, the
Orchestrator administrator can limit access to the Orchestrator client to members of the Orchestrator
administrator LDAP group.
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Testing Workflows During Development on page 15
You can test workflows at any point during the development process, even if you have not completed
the workflow or included an end element.
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Workflow Editor on page 15
You create and edit workflows by using the workflow editor. The workflow editor is the Orchestrator
client's IDE for developing workflows.
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Provide General Workflow Information on page 18
You provide a workflow name and desription, define attributes and certain aspects of workflow
behavior, set the version number, check the signature, and set user permissions in the General tab in the
workflow editor.
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Defining Attributes and Parameters on page 19
After you create a workflow, you must determine the workflow's global attributes and input and output
parameters.
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Workflow Schema on page 21
A workflow schema is a graphical representation of a workflow that shows the workflow as a flow
diagram of interconnected workflow elements.
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Obtaining Input Parameters from Users When a Workflow Starts on page 36
If a workflow requires input parameters, it opens a dialog box in which users enter the required input
parameter values when it runs. You can organize the content and layout, or presentation, of this dialog
box in Presentation tab in the workflow editor.
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(Optional) Requesting User Interactions While a Workflow Runs on page 41
A workflow can sometimes require additional input parameters from an outside source while it runs.
These input parameters can come from another application or workflow, or the user can provide them
directly.
VMware, Inc.
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