A case can contain multiple instances of a solution entity that is best represented by a
collection of properties. In this scenario, you can define a business object that is a structured
data type that contains a collection of properties. You define a case property in your solution that
uses this business object as the data type.
About this task
Important: Business objects are supported only in Content Platform Engine, V5.5.0 or later, repositories. Business objects
are not supported in earlier versions of Content Platform Engine
repositories.
You can create a business object as a child of an existing business object. The child inherits
all the properties that are defined for the parent business object.
You can also reuse business objects that are defined for other solutions. Reused business objects
can be edited only in the original source solution.
Procedure
To add or modify a business object from the solution home page:
-
Click the Business Objects tab.
-
Create a business object or modify an existing object.
Option |
Description |
To add a business object |
- Click .
- Enter a name and a description for the business object. The Unique
Identifier field is updated as you enter the name for the business object. You cannot
change the unique identifier after you click OK.
- If you do not want this business object to be used as a property type, select the Do
not use this business object as a property type check box.
- Click OK.
|
To add a business object as a subclass of an existing business object |
- Select the parent business object from the list of business objects.
- Click .
- Enter a name and a description for the business object. The Unique
Identifier field is updated as you enter the name for the business object. You cannot
change the unique identifier after you click OK.
- If you do not want this business object to be used as a property type, select the Do
not use this business object as a property type check box.
- Click OK.
Tip: To view the properties that a business object inherits from a parent business
object, select the Show inherited properties check box on the
Properties tab for the child business object.
|
To modify an existing business object |
Click the business object name in the list. |
-
On the Properties tab, add or modify the properties that define this
business object.
- Optional:
Select a property from the title list to uniquely identify instances of
this business object.
A business object is a subclass of the Content Platform Engine
DependentObject class. An object that is instantiated from a subclass of the
DependentObject class is a dependent object, which is non-addressable. A
dependent object does not possess a unique identifier by which it can be referenced and; therefore,
can be identified only by value. The title field identifies this value.
Tip: IBM® Business Automation
Workflow does not check at run time to ensure
that the business object title is unique. However, you can write a script to validate this
information. For information about scripts to validate data, see
ICM Data Validation When Adding New Cases.
If a business object is not referenced at run time, you do not need to set a title. You might not
set a title for a parent business object that is never used as a property type. However, if you do
set a title, the children inherit that title. You can override that inherited title by selecting a
different property for a child business object.
What to do next
Create case properties with the type set to Business Object and select this business object from
the
Business Object list. In most situations, you can use this business
object property as you would use any other case property. For example, you can define a precondition
to start a task when a business object property is modified. However, you cannot use a business
object in any of the following situations:
- In an expression for the A property condition is met option in a task
precondition
- In an in-basket
- In a business rule
- As a document property
Like other case properties, a business object property is added to the default view for any case
type in which the property is used. A business object property is presented in a table in which each
column represents a property that is contained in the business object.