Use the Steps tab to define a sequential set of instructions, or steps, for an activity to execute. Each step calls a method or supported rule type to perform the required processing.
You can control the flow of execution by repeating a group of steps, defining a set of pre-conditions for a step, or jumping to a later step.
As a best practice, limit each activity to thirty or fewer steps to promote modularity.
If your activity supports a Declare Trigger or Declare OnChange rule, select an appropriate activity type in the Usage field before populating any steps.
Each numbered row on the Steps tab represents a step. Use the following options to control how the activity processes a step at run time.
Element |
Description |
| Label |
A unique identifier. Enter a short (one-or two-character) string that other steps can reference in their jump criteria. Otherwise, leave this field blank. Enter two slash marks (//) to comment out a step, or exclude it from execution. A commented-out loop step excludes all child steps from execution. |
| Loop (no outline) |
No iteration or loop criteria exists. Click to specify loop criteria such as the number of iterations or the type of element to evaluate. |
| Loop (with outline) |
Iteration or loop criteria exist. Click to review or edit the loop criteria. |
| When (no outline) |
No pre-condition or when criteria exist. Click to specify a when rule that controls whether a step is executed or skipped. |
| When (with outline) |
Pre-condition or when criteria exist. Click to review or edit the when criteria. Clear the Enable conditions before this action check box to remove the when criteria. |
| Expand |
Parameter details for the specified Method. Click to expand the Method Parameters section and provide parameters to the specified method or rule instance. Click a second time to collapse the section. |
| Method |
The method or rule to execute. Select a method name from the list or enter a keyword followed by a supported rule instance. This list excludes deprecated methods. Many methods and instructions require parameters. |
| Magnifying glass |
You have specified a keyword and rule in the Method field. Click to open the rule. |
| Step Page |
The context, or page for this step. Enter a page name from the Pages & Classes tab or leave this field blank to use the primary page of this activity. Depending on the scenario, you can use additional syntax:
Most methods require a step page to exist. When using the Call or Branch keyword, you can only enter a page name with the same Applies To key part as this activity. |
| Description |
Internal documentation. Enter a brief description for other developers to understand what this step does. |
| Jump (no outline) |
No transition criteria exist. Click to define how this step transitions to the next step or jumps to a later step. |
| Jump (with outline) |
Transition criteria exist. Click to review or edit the transition criteria. Clear the Enable conditions after this action check box to remove the transition criteria. |
| Trash bin |
Removes a step in an activity. |
|
Add a step |
Inserts a new step below the step currently in focus. |
Use these options to speed up development of your activity steps:
Enter key.The API Version field is available when an activity does not use the latest Java version. Use the default value of 03-02 and save the rule form to remove this field.