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:

The functions are grouped in the context menus as follows:

  1. Access to the most frequent actions: Open the monitors, the Requests view and the reports.
  2. Access to the Executions lists.
  3. Access to functions to modify the task. These functions depend on the status and type of task.
  4. Access to comments, forecasts and to the Send To function, if configured.
  5. Access to the object and to the Search for Use function for that object.

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

[A] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [I] [M] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U]

A

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 Workflows (JOBP) and Monitoring Workflows.

C

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 which 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 Forecasting.

D

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:

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.

E

Executions

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

For more information, see Execution Data.

F

Filter

Limits the activity list according to specified filter criteria

For more information, see Filtering Tasks.

G

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.

I

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 Conditions, Preconditions, Postconditions.

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 Queue (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).

M

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 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.

O

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 current browser window and allows you to modify its definition, provided you have the necessary privileges

For more information, see Defining Objects.

Open Object in New Tab

Opens the object in a new browser tab. It is the same as middle-clicking.

Open Parent Monitor

Opens the monitor of the task's parent object

The parent monitor provides information about the progress of the task. It also gives you access to 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 Reacting to Requests.

P

Parent Task Executions

Opens the list of past executions of the parent task. 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:

Q

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.

R

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 the latest view data

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:

Reload definition at period turnaround

Available for Schedules

If selected, changes done to the Schedule definition 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 and allows you to define the required Execution Options

For more information, see:

Rollback Task

Processes a rollback on the selected task

For more information, see Rollback Page and Working with 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 Working with Rollbacks.

S

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:

Show Definition

Opens the Workflow object definition, where you can edit it

Note: Requires access to the Process Assembly perspective.

For more information, see Workflows (JOBP).

Show in Process Monitoring

Available for entries in the Executions lists only when right-clicking an entry and selecting Executions Lists

This options opens the list of Tasks in the Process Monitoring perspective. The list is filtered using the runID of the selected execution.

For more information, see Execution Data.

Suspend

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

Notes:

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.

T

Take Over Task

Allows you to take the ownership of a task

For more information, see Taking Over Ownership.

U

Unblock Task

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

Note: Available for blocked tasks only.

See also: