User Guide > Objects > Alphabetical Listing > Schedule - Execution

Schedule - Execution

Object-Type specific Features

Once you activate and start a Schedule object, it will obtain the status "Active". The scheduled tasks will then be processed according to the defined period and the period turnaround.

Checking and Monitoring Tasks

When the schedule starts, the system checks the start times of all tasks (task properties - Start time tab). Tasks whose start time has already been exceeded in this period of the schedule obtain the status "ENDED_TIMEOUT - Start time exceeded". The system will attempt to start them at the scheduled time after the Schedule's period turnaround has taken place. All tasks whose start time is still in the future of this period obtain the status "Waiting for start time". The start of these tasks will be initiated at the scheduled time.

When a task starts, its start conditions are checked. This includes the defined dependencies on calendars (task properties - Calendar tab) and on Sync objects (Sync tab of the task). As a result of this check, the task will either start or not and will obtain the corresponding status.

During the execution of a task, its runtime is monitored it this is defined in its properties (Runtime tab). This enables a reaction to an end status that is other than expected. You can define it in the task properties - Result tab.

Checking the Schedule

When the Automation Engine starts, the system checks whether an active schedule's period turnaround took place in the past. As a result, it will run as many period turnarounds as it takes to achieve a period turnaround that lies in the future. Only then, the system checks again whether there are scheduled tasks whose start time has already been exceeded. These tasks obtain the status "ENDED_TIMEOUT - Start time exceeded".

Monitoring and Modifying a Schedule

You can check the status of tasks that are stored in a Schedule object in the monitor view.
You can even change the start conditions for the tasks' current runs in this view. Changes to the task and task properties that you make directly in the Schedule can also be passed on to the next period turnaround. Note that in this case, it is not required to restart the schedule. You can also start tasks immediately, regardless of their current states, start times or start conditions.

Statistics

Each period of a schedule has its own statistical record. This includes that a new RunID will be assigned whenever a period turnaround takes place.

Stopping the Execution

You can stop and restarted an activated schedule at any time. No further tasks will start when you run the Stop command. Stop (recursive) has the effect that running tasks in active workflows continue but the subsequent tasks will be stopped.

Handling	Description
Right-click the object in the Activity Window	Select Stop or Go in the context menu.
Right-click the schedule's monitor view	Select Stop or Go in the context menu.

Termination or Period Turnaround of a Schedule That Includes Active Tasks

Terminating a schedule that includes active tasks causes a particular reaction depending on whether you end it manually or a period turnaround takes place:

Manual Termination

The context-menu command "Quit" ends an active Schedule object immediately. The schedule's active tasks will then directly appear in the Activity Window without their schedule (parent).

Period Turnaround

If a period turnaround takes place while a schedule still includes active tasks, a new instance of the schedule will start for the new period. The old schedule activity waits until its active tasks have ended and obtains the status "Ending". Tasks of the old period that have not yet started obtain the status "ENDED_SKIPPED – Schedule ended prematurely".