Workflow Expressions

A workflow expression is an algebraic expression that defines a calculation that the system performs at run time. Workflow expression syntax allows you to manipulate strings, test for relationships and conditions, and perform arithmetic calculations.

You can build simple or complex expressions. They are user-defined and consist of one or more of the following components:

Functions
Operators
Variables
Literals

Workflow Expression Editor

The following table displays the attributes that are available in the workflow expression editor:

Tip: For general information on building expressions, see Expression Editor.

Attribute	Value	Description
Expression Functions tab	System-defined	Displays the functions available to build your expression. Double-click a function to insert it into your expression.
Workflow Variables tab	User-defined	Displays the variable browser where the variable properties are grouped by a containing activity and a property category. You can use variables to build your expression. The variables available are dependent on where you are located within the workflow configuration process (such as inside an activity or subprocess), and which resources you have already added to the workflow. These resources include: workflow-level variables subprocess-level variables activity-level variables user activity-level variables fault handler activity variables Select a variable property to display the following information related to it, and double-click it to insert it into your expression: data type bind path description Note: The default value for date/time is always associated with the current time zone, unless a time zone is specified using a different function in the expression. Any actions performed in the same expression using this resultant value uses the current or specified time zone for evaluation.
Completion Codes tab	User-defined	Displays the completion codes available to build your expression. Double-click a completion code to insert it into your expression.

Attribute

Value

Description

Expression Functions tab

System-defined

Displays the functions available to build your expression.

Double-click a function to insert it into your expression.

Workflow Variables tab

User-defined

Displays the variable browser where the variable properties are grouped by a containing activity and a property category.

You can use variables to build your expression. The variables available are dependent on where you are located within the workflow configuration process (such as inside an activity or subprocess), and which resources you have already added to the workflow. These resources include:

workflow-level variables
subprocess-level variables
activity-level variables
user activity-level variables
fault handler activity variables

Select a variable property to display the following information related to it, and double-click it to insert it into your expression:

data type
bind path
description

Note: The default value for date/time is always associated with the current time zone, unless a time zone is specified using a different function in the expression. Any actions performed in the same expression using this resultant value uses the current or specified time zone for evaluation.

Completion Codes tab

User-defined

Displays the completion codes available to build your expression.

Double-click a completion code to insert it into your expression.

Note: The property you are creating an expression for and its data type are displayed in the Expression Editor in the upper left and upper right, respectively.