What are Workflows?¶
A Workflow enables automated and repeated execution of a sequence of tasks, such as running a program, sending an email, uploading a file, running a transfer setting or batch, executing some SQL code, and many others. The tasks run according to some predefined path and follow the custom logic that controls under which circumstances specific paths should be activated.
Workflows make it easy to visualize and implement complex sequences of tasks because pieces of a workflow can be used like ‘building blocks’. These building blocks can be pasted into a different workflow, or even into the same workflow, which allows you to quickly replicate tasks, or even sequences of tasks, with similar properties. Workflow tasks can run sequentially as well as simultaneously.
Objects can be added to a workflow in several ways, such as direct drag-and-drop of files from your local machine, drag-and-drop of tables or views from the built-in Data Source Browser, or by adding an object from the Toolbox.
Workflow Tasks¶
There are multiple options present in the Workflow Tasks tab within the Toolbox.
These options are:
- Decision
- EDI Acknowledgment
- File System
- File Transfer
- OR
- Run Dataflow
- Run Program
- Run SQL File
- Run SQL Script
- Run Workflow
- Send Mail
In subsequent articles, we will look at what each of these objects do.