Working with Tasks

The type and the status of a task determines what you can do with it. This topic provides an overview with short descriptions of all available task functions. The list does not consider the status that a task must have for a function to be available.

Right-click a task to open the context-menu that provides the available functions. You can access the task context-menus from the following areas in the Automic Web Interface:

• List of Tasks in the Process Monitoring perspective
• Job, Job Group, Workflow, Schedule, and Agent Group monitors, Fullfilments list
• Global search drop-down list
• List of results in the advanced search

The functions are listed in alphabetical order to help you find them easily. To see a list of the available functions depending on the status of a task, see Available Functions Depending on the Task Status.

• Activator Executions

  Opens the list of historical data of the instance (the activator) that has triggered the execution of a task

  For more information, see Execution Data.

• Apply Modifications

  Available for Workflows in the Workflow Monitor

  To change settings in a running Workflow you must first stop its execution. Right-click the Workflow, select Modify and make your changes. Select this option to apply your changes.

  For more information, see Designing Workflows (JOBP) and Monitoring Workflows.

• Cancel

  Stops processing the task as well as all subordinated tasks that have not yet started

  Note: Tasks that have already started continue running.

  Note: Tasks that have already started continue running.

• Cancel (Recursive)

  Stops processing the task as well as all subordinated tasks, including those that have already started

• Child Task Executions

  Opens the historical data of tasks whose execution is triggered by another object

  For more information, see Execution Data.

• Comments

  Opens a dialog where you can enter additional information on the task

  Note: Tasks that contain comments display the comment icon in the RunID column.

  For more information, see Adding Comments.

• Create Forecast

  Calculates the expected execution times and the estimated runtime of executable objects and tasks

  For more information, see Forecasts and Auto-Forecasts.

• Deactivate

  Removes an ended task from the list

  The parameters in the Automatic Deactivation Section in the definition of an executable object determine whether it should be deactivated or not after its execution. The following options are available:

  • Never
  • Always
  • After error-free execution
  • After error-free restart
  • Deactivate after x minutes

  Use this option to remove from the list the tasks that are still active after their execution. The only exception are tasks for which the Never option has been selected. The Deactivate function does not affect them.

  Deactivating Workflows includes all its subordinate tasks.

• Deactivate (Forced)

  Deactivates the Workflow and its child Workflows (if any), even if they still contain active tasks

  This option always overrules the Automatic Deactivation settings in the object definition, even if they have been set to Never deactivate tasks. See the Automatic Deactivation Section.

  Note: Rollbacks fail for Workflows that have already been deactivated through this option.

• Executions

  Opens the list of executions (historical data) of the selected task

  For more information, see Execution Data.

• Filter

  Limits the activity list according to specified filter criteria

  For more information, see Filtering Tasks.

• Go Immediately

  Starts processing a task immediately

  Note: Tasks that have a Waiting status start as well. Child tasks are not affected.

  For more information, see Executing Objects.

• Go (Recursive)

  Starts processing a task immediately

  Note: Tasks that have a Waiting status also start. It also starts child tasks.

  For more information, see Executing Objects.

• Ignore Preconditions

  Tasks in a Waiting status due to their pre-conditions continue executing

  Note: The actions/conditions are ignored and skipped.

  For more information, see Precondition and Postcondition Tabs.

• Ignore Queue Limit

  Starts the task immediately.

  Note: This option is relevant for tasks that are waiting to start because of missing queue slots (Waiting for Queue slot)

  For more information, see git stQueues (QUEUE).

• Ignore Sync Conditions

  Ignores the conditions that have been defined in the Sync object assigned to the task and starts the task

  Note: Sync objects contain definitions on status, conditions and actions that are combined to specify the order in which tasks will be executed. Tasks can be in a waiting status due to these Sync definitions.

  For more information, see Monitoring Sync Objects and Sync (SYNC).

• Modify

  Available for workflows in the Workflow Monitor

  To change settings in a running Workflow you must first stop its execution. Right-click the Workflow and select this option.

  Note: To apply your changes you must then select Apply modifications.

  For more information, see Designing Workflows (JOBP) and Monitoring Workflows.

• Modify Execution

  Available for Period containers (C_PERIOD tasks)

  For more information, see Scheduling Executions with the Execute Recurring Function.

• Modify Parent Properties

  Opens a dialog where you can change the maximum number of simultaneous tasks allowed

  For more information, see Modifying Properties (Job Groups) and Modifying Properties (Agent Groups).

• Modify Priority

  Opens the dialog where you can change the priority of the task

  Note: This option is available for tasks with a status between 1500 and 1799 (see System Return Codes of Executable Objects).

  For more information, see Automation Engine Priority.

• Modify Properties

  Opens a dialog where you can modify the maximum number of simultaneous tasks allowed

  Note: Available for Job Groups and Agent Groups.

  For more information, see Modifying Properties (Job Groups) and Modifying Properties (Agent Groups).

• Modify Status Manually

  Allows you to change the status of a task manually

  Important! This function should be restricted to very few users.

  For more information, see Modifying the Status Manually.

• Modify Task

  Allows you to change parameters of tasks that have been started with the Execute once option (not Immediately)

  For more information, see Executing Objects Once and Modifying Tasks.

• Monitoring

  Available for entries in the Executions lists only

  This option opens the list of Tasks in the Process Monitoring perspective filtering it using the runID of the selected execution.

  For more information, see Execution Data.

• Open Agent Group Monitor

  Opens the list of tasks that are processed by the selected Agent Group

  For more information, see Monitoring Agent Groups and Agent Groups (HOSTG).

• Open Monitor

  Opens the monitor of the selected task

  Available only for running tasks that have a monitor view of their own, such as Workflows, Schedules, groups, and so on.

  For more information, see Monitoring Tasks.

• Open Object

  Opens the object in the Process Assembly perspective and allows you to modify its definition, provided you have the necessary privileges

  Opens the object in the current browser window

  For more information, see Defining Objects.

• Open Object in New Window

  Opens the object in the Process Assembly perspective in a new browser window and allows you to modify its definition, provided you have the necessary privileges

• Open Parent Monitor

  Opens the monitor of the task's parent object

  Note: The parent monitor provides information about the progress of the task and functions to modify the current execution

  For more information, see Monitoring Tasks.

• Open Report

  Opens the report of the selected execution (RunID)

  For more information, see Reports.

• Open Sync Monitor

  Opens the list of tasks affected by one or more Sync objects

  For more information, see Monitoring Sync Objects.

• Open User Input Dialog

  Available for tasks that are waiting for manual input to continue processing

  For more information, see Responding to Requests.

• Parent Task Executions

  Opens the list of past executions of the parent task

  Note: Available for tor tasks that run in another task, such as in a Workflow, a Schedule, and so on.

  For more information, see Execution Data.

• Properties

  Opens a pane at the bottom half of the page where you can see and modify the properties of the tasks included in the selected container

  For more information, see:

  • For Workflows, Modifying Workflow Tasks at Runtime
  • For Schedules, Modifying Tasks in an Active Schedule

• Quit

  Ends a long-running activity

  Note: Only available for long-running, recurring activities. For example, these activities execute a particular process repeatedly within a particular interval (event). They must be manually ended by the user.

• Recalculate next start time

  Available for Schedules.

  Schedules and tasks within Schedules can have Calendars assigned to them.

  The definitions of Calendars or Calendar Events can change. Activate this option if you want the Schedule monitor to apply such changes automatically.

  For more information, see Schedules (JSCH) and Modifying Active Schedules.

• Refresh

  Loads current task

  For more information, see Refresh Interval.

• Release Manually

  Lets the task execute.

  Tasks are in this status when they have been executed using the Execute Once option and the Wait for manual release function has been activated.

  Before being actually executed, tasks go through the following phases: Activation, Generation and Transfer. If set to wait for manual release, tasks are activated, if they are jobs, their scripts are generated and, if applicable, transfers are carried out. However, they are not executed.

  You select this option to execute them.

  For more information, see:

  •  Stages of Job Processing
  • Executing Objects Once

• Reload definition at period turnaround

  Available for Schedules

  If selected, changes done to the Schedule definition in the Process Assembly perspective are applied with the next period turnaround.

  A tick next to this option indicates that this function is activated.

  Note: You need the Write (W) and Modify at runtime (M) authorizations to perform this operation.

  For more information, see Schedules (JSCH) and Modifying Active Schedules.

• Remote Restart

  Restarts Remote Task Manager (JOBQ) jobs and jobs that run in external systems, such as SAP or PeopleSoft

  For more information, see Monitoring and Restarting External Tasks and Executing Objects.

• Remove

  Available for jobs in Registered status

• Replace Task

  Replace tasks that are activated but not started yet

  Note: Available for tasks that run in Workflows.

  For more information, see Replacing Tasks.

• Reset Task

  Sets the task back to its previous status

  Note: Available for tasks that run in a Schedule.

  For more information, see Schedules (JSCH) and Monitoring Schedules.

• Restart

  Restarts tasks that have already been executed and allows you to define the required Execution Options

  For more information, see:

  • Executing Objects
  • Restarting Tasks
  • Restarting File Transfers

• Rollback Task

  Processes a rollback on the selected task

  For more information, see Rollback Page and Rollbacks.

• Rollback to this Task

  Restores all tasks from the end of the Workflow back to the selected task, which is also restored.

  Note: Only possible for ended tasks (successful or aborted).

  For more information, see Rollback Page and Rollbacks.

• Search for Use

  Opens the list of objects in which a particular object or task is being used

  For more information, see Search for Use.

• Set Active

  Sets back the Workflow to active

• Set Inactive

  Skips the selected task

  When the Workflows reaches it, this task is not processed.

  Note: Available for tasks that have not yet started (status: Waiting for predecessor).

• Set Breakpoint

  Causes the Workflow to stop at this task and changes the status of the Workflow to blocked

  To continue processing it you must open the Workflow monitor and delete the breakpoint manually.

  Note: Available for tasks that have not yet started (status: Waiting for predecessor).

  For more information, see:

  • Setting a Breakpoint in a Workflow
  • Designing Workflows (JOBP)
  • General Tab

• Show Definition

  Opens the Workflow object definition, where you can edit it

  Note: Requires access to the Process Assembly perspective.

  For more information, see Designing Workflows (JOBP).

• Suspend

  Pauses the processing of the task and of all subordinated tasks that have not yet started

  Notes:

  • Tasks that have already started continue running.
  • Available for long-running tasks only.

• Suspend (Recursive)

  Pauses the processing of the task and of all subordinated, including those that have already started

  Note: Available for long-running tasks only.

• Take Over Task

  Allows you to take the ownership of a task

  For more information, see Taking Over Ownership.

• Unblock Task

  Removes the task blocking condition and allows the task and the Workflo to continue processing

  Note: Available for blocked tasks only.

See also:

• Tasks
• Monitoring Tasks