Using complex variables and lists in JavaScript

In the web Process Designer or the deprecated desktop Process Designer, you must initialize all complex variables and all lists (arrays) before you can use them in a process, service, or service flow. After the variable is initialized, you can access and modify its properties. You can access predefined properties and functions to perform several operations.

1. In the Variables tab of your process diagram, service diagram, or service flow diagram, declare a variable that is a complex business object or a list.
   For example, a variable named myVariable of type Requisition or a variable named myList that is a list of string variables.
2. In the diagram area, drag a script task from the palette onto the canvas.
3. In the Implementation tab, initialize your variable by using a JavaScript text area:
   • If the variable is a complex object, use:

     tw.local.<variableName> = new tw.object.<businessObject>();

     For example:

     tw.local.myVariable=new tw.object.Requisition();

   • If the variable is a list, use:

     tw.local.<listName>=new tw.object.listOf.<businessObject>();

     For example:

     tw.local.myList=new tw.object.listOf.String();

   Remember: If your complex business object or list includes elements that are complex variables, they must also be initialized.

   Important: The server script syntax in a heritage human service or service flow is different from the client-side script syntax in a client-side human service. For client-side human services, ensure that you use the standard JavaScript syntax to instantiate objects in the client-side script, instead of the server script syntax that is used in a heritage human service. For example:

   // To instantiate and populate a complex variable
   tw.local.customer= {};
   tw.local.customer.firstName = "Jane";
   tw.local.customer.lastName = "Doe";
   
   // To instantiate and populate an array
   tw.local.addresses = [];
   tw.local.addresses[0] = {};
   tw.local.addresses[0].city = "Boston";
   
   // To instantiate a String variable
   tw.local.customerID = "12345";
   
   // To create a Date variable
   tw.local.dueDate = new Date();

   Note: If the name of your complex business object conflicts with an existing JavaScript namespace, such as tw.object.property, tw.object.contentObject, or tw.object.toolkit, use the tw.object.baw namespace to instantiate the business object. For example:

   tw.local.myVariable = new tw.object.baw.property(); 
   tw.local.myListVariable = new tw.object.listOf.baw.toolkit();