4.1

Table 2-3. Schema Elements and Icons (Continued)
Schema Element
Name Description Icon
Icon Location in Workflow
editor
Decision Boolean function. Decision elements take
one input parameter and return either
true or false. The type of decision the
element makes depends on the type of the
input parameter. Decision elements allow
the workflow to branch into different
directions, depending on the input
parameter the decision element receives. If
the received input parameter corresponds to
an expected value, the workflow continues
along a certain route. If the input is not the
expected value, the workflow continues on
an alternative path.
Generic workflow palette
Custom Decision Boolean function. Custom decisions can take
several input parameters and act upon them
according to custom scripts. Returns either
true or false.
Generic workflow palette
User Interaction Allows users to pass new input parameters
into the workflow. You can design how the
user interaction element presents the
request for input parameters and place
constraints on the parameters that users can
provide. You can set permissions to
determine which users can provide the input
parameters. When a running workflow
arrives at a user interaction element, it enters
a passive state and prompts the user for
input. You can set a timeout period within
which the users can answer. The workflow
resumes according to the data the user
passes to it, or returns an exception if the
timeout period expires. While it is waiting
for the user to respond, the workflow token
is in the waiting state.
Generic workflow palette
Waiting Timer Used by long-running workflows. When a
running workflow arrives at a Waiting
Timer element it enters a passive state. You
set an absolute date at which the workflow
resumes running. While it is waiting for the
date, the workflow token is in the waiting-
signal state.
Generic workflow palette
Waiting Event Used in long-running workflows. When a
running workflow arrives at a Waiting
Event element it enters a passive state. You
define a trigger event that the workflow
awaits before it resumes running. While it is
waiting for the event, the workflow token is
in the waiting-signal state.
Generic workflow palette
End Workflow The end point of the workflow. You can have
multiple end elements in a schema, to
represent the different possible outcomes of
the workflow. End elements have one input
with no output. When a workflow reaches
an End Workflow element, the workflow
token enters the completed state.
Generic workflow palette
vCenter Orchestrator Developer's Guide
24 VMware, Inc.