JP2015185014A - workflow control program, workflow control method, and workflow system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce an amount of data which is retreated, when processing of plural nodes is progressed according to a predetermined order by workflow, in one side surface.SOLUTION: Management information (29) is stored in a storage part (24) for every node, in workflow including plural nodes. The management information (29) includes version information in which information indicating the node is associated with information indicating a data item used on the node, and flag information indicating that at least some pieces of data are updated on the node. A determination part (18) determines whether or not the data of the data item on an object node is retreated, based on the version information and flag information which relates to a reference node preceding to the object node, among the management information (29) when processing of the node is progressed. Based on a determination result, the data of the data item on the object node is retreated. Therefore, a data mount of data which is retreated can be reduced.

Description

  The disclosed technology relates to a workflow control program, a workflow control method, and a workflow system.

  2. Description of the Related Art A workflow system is known in which each of a plurality of tasks included in a business is a node, processing contents in each node and the order of each node are defined, and the processing is advanced according to the order of each node. In the workflow system, for example, in response to a system failure, data in each node may be recorded so that the state in the node before the current node can be recovered.

  For example, a technique is known in which, in a workflow system, data of an update result is recorded when data is updated, data of a specified node is taken out, and a state in a node before the current node is restored. In addition, as an example of a technique for managing data to be updated, a management table in which an update flag indicating that the data has been updated is associated with each file is stored, and an update flag is set for a file that is open by referring to the management table There is a technology that prohibits the disclosure of files in the event that they are released. In addition, a technique for performing file version management using update history such as file creation date and time, user name, and version value is also known.

JP-A-9-91402 JP 2013-97755 A JP 2006-350829 A

  By the way, in the workflow system, there are a condition branching process in the node, a process of returning to the node before the current node, and the like as a route for proceeding the process according to the order of each node, and it may be difficult to determine in advance. Therefore, assuming a response to a system failure, data is saved by recording data at each node while proceeding with processing of each node by the workflow system. However, when data is recorded in each node, the amount of data to be recorded increases for each node that proceeds with the processing. In addition, there is a case where data in a node is recorded redundantly by a conditional branch process in the node and a process of returning to a node before the current node.

  In one aspect, an object is to reduce the amount of data to be saved when processing of a plurality of nodes is performed according to a workflow in a predetermined order.

  In the disclosed technique, management information is stored in a storage unit for each of a plurality of nodes in a workflow in which processing of the plurality of nodes is performed according to a predetermined order. The management information includes version information in which information indicating a node is associated with information indicating a data item used in the node, and flag information indicating that at least a part of data has been updated in the node. When the processing of the node proceeds, it is determined whether or not to save the data item data in the target node based on the version information and the flag information of the reference node before the target node in the management information. The version information is associated with the data item of the reference node before the target node corresponding to the data item of the target node. Based on the determination result indicating whether to save the data, the data of the data item in the target node is saved.

  One aspect has an effect that the amount of data to be saved can be reduced when data is saved in each node of the workflow.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a workflow system. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the workflow system implement | achieved by a computer. It is a block which shows an example of a workflow system functionally. It is an image figure which shows an example of a workflow control information database. It is an image figure which shows an example of an execution history information database. It is an image figure which shows an example of the definition information of a data item. It is an image figure which shows an example of a data item information database. It is an image figure which shows an example of the save data information database. It is an image figure which shows an example of the save data information database. It is an image figure which shows an example of the evacuation data management information database. It is an image figure which shows an example of a series of flows of a workflow. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a process of a workflow control part. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a node movement process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a process of a data evacuation restoration management part. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a data saving process. It is an image figure which shows an example of the data relationship in the one part node of a workflow. It is an image figure which shows an example of the data relationship in the one part node of a workflow. It is an image figure which shows an example of information transfer between a terminal device, a data evacuation restoration management part, and a workflow control part. It is an image figure which shows an example of information transfer between a terminal device, a data evacuation restoration management part, and a workflow control part. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a restoration process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a recovery process. It is an image figure which shows an example of information transfer between a terminal device, a data evacuation restoration management part, and a workflow control part. It is an image figure which shows an example of information transfer between a terminal device, a data evacuation restoration management part, and a workflow control part.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the disclosed technology will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the disclosed technique is applied when the overall processing time is shortened by executing a large number of nodes with a plurality of information processing apparatuses.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a workflow system 10 according to the present embodiment. The workflow system 10 includes a workflow control device 11, and the workflow control device 11 is connected to an operation device 26 that outputs various instructions. The workflow control device 11 includes a CPU 12 and a memory 14, and a workflow control program 16 is stored in the memory 14. The CPU 12 operates as the determination unit 18, the save unit 20, and the restoration unit 22 by executing the workflow control program 16 stored in the memory 14. A storage unit 24 is connected to the CPU 12. The storage unit 24 stores workflow management information 29 for proceeding with processing of a plurality of nodes according to a predetermined order. The management information 29 includes, for each node, version information in which information indicating a node is associated with information indicating a data item used in the node, and flag information indicating that at least some data has been updated in the node. . In addition, the storage unit 24 stores data item data 27 in the node and save data 28 in which the data item data 27 is saved.

  The workflow system 10 advances the processing of a plurality of nodes included in the workflow corresponding to the business. When proceeding with processing of a plurality of nodes, the current node for proceeding to the next node is set as the target node. Further, a node having a value in version information associated with information indicating a data item of the target node among nodes before the target node is set as a reference node. In the workflow system 10, when the CPU 12 executes the workflow control program 16, processing by the determination unit 18, the save unit 20, and the restoration unit 22 is executed. Based on the version information associated with the information indicating the data item of the reference node in the management information 29 stored in the storage unit 24 and the flag information of the reference node, the determination unit 18 determines the data item in the target node. Whether to save the data 27 is determined. Further, the save unit 20 saves the data item data 27 in the target node as save data 28 based on the determination result of the determination unit 18. The restoration unit restores the saved data 28 as data 27 at a restoration point input as a node to be restored on the workflow.

  The workflow system 10 is an example of a workflow system in the disclosed technology, and the determination unit 18, the saving unit 20, and the restoration unit 22 are examples of the determination unit, the saving unit, and the restoration unit in the disclosed technology. The workflow control program 16 is an example of a workflow control program in the disclosed technology.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a computer system 30 as an example of a system capable of realizing the workflow control device 11 and the operation device 26 included in the workflow system 10 with a computer. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the computer system 30 shown in FIG. 2 is expressed by functional blocks. A computer system 30 as the workflow system 10 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes a server device 32 as the workflow control device 11 and a plurality (three in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) of terminal devices 70 as the operation devices 26. .

  The server device 32 includes a CPU 34, a memory 36, and a nonvolatile storage unit 42. The CPU 34, the memory 36, and the storage unit 42 are connected to each other via a bus 64. In the server device 32, a device (IO device) 38 for reading from and writing to the recording medium 39 is connected to the bus 64. Further, the server device 32 includes a communication control unit 40 including an interface for connecting to the computer network 69. The storage unit 42 can be realized by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory, or the like.

  The storage unit 42 stores an OS (Operating System) 44, a control program 46 for causing the server device 32 to function as the workflow control device 11, and a database (hereinafter abbreviated as DB) 52. The control program 46 stored in the storage unit 42 includes a workflow control process 48 and a data save / restore management process 50. The CPU 34 reads out the control program 46 from the storage unit 42, expands it in the memory 36, and executes each process included in the control program 46.

  The CPU 34 of the server device 32 reads out the control program 46 from the storage unit 42, loads it in the memory 36, and executes the control program 46, whereby the server device 32 operates as the workflow control device 11 shown in FIG. Further, the CPU 34 reads out the control program 46 from the storage unit 42, expands it in the memory 36, and executes the workflow control process 48 included in the control program 46, whereby the server device 32 operates as the workflow control unit 68 shown in FIG. 3. To do. Furthermore, when the CPU 34 executes the data saving / restoring management process 50 of the control program 46, the server device 32 operates as the data saving / restoring management unit 66 shown in FIG.

  The workflow control unit 68 (FIG. 3) operating on the server device 32 controls the processing of the nodes included in the workflow, that is, the movement control of the node and the timing of updating the data used in the node, that is, the processing in the workflow. The timing control is performed. Further, the data save / restore management unit 66 (FIG. 3) operating on the server device 32 saves data in the node or restores data to the instructed node (recovery) in response to a request from the workflow control unit 68. Control.

  When the CPU 34 executes the data save / restore management process 50, the server device 32 operates as the determination unit 18, the save unit 20, and the restore unit 22 illustrated in FIG. That is, the data save / restore management process 50 included in the control program 46 is an example of the workflow control program 16 shown in FIG.

  2 and 3 show an example in which the computer system 30 includes a single server device 32, the server device 32 may include a plurality of server devices. For example, as the server device 32, each of the data saving / restoring management unit 66 and the workflow control unit 68, whose details will be described later, may be provided by independent server devices.

  Further, the server device 32 is not limited to being connected to the computer network 69. For example, the server device 32 may be directly connected to the terminal device 70 by wired connection or wireless connection.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the DB 52 stored in the storage unit 42 of the server device 32 includes a workflow control information DB 54, an execution history information DB 56, a data item information DB 58, a saved data information DB 60, and a saved data management information DB 62.

  4 to 10 show examples of various DBs stored in the DB 70. FIG. FIG. 4 shows an example of the workflow control information DB 54. The workflow control information DB 54 includes information 80 indicating a workflow and information 82 indicating data items used in each of the workflow nodes. In the present embodiment, as an example of the information 80 indicating the workflow, a case where the workflow includes four nodes from the first node to the fourth node, and the process proceeds in the order of the first node to the fourth node will be described. The example shown in FIG. 4 shows a series of processes from application to approval as a workflow. The first node 80-1 is an “application” node, and the workflow control information is registered in the first node 80-1 in association with the data item 82-1 of the first node 80-1. The second node 80-2 is a “check” node, and the workflow control information is registered in the second node 80-2 in association with the data item 82-2 of the second node 80-2. Similarly, the third node 80-3 is an “approval” node, and the workflow control information is registered by associating the data item 82-3 of the third node 80-3 with the third node 80-3. Is done. The fourth node is a “determined” node, and the workflow control information is registered in the fourth node 80-4 in association with the data item 82-4 of the fourth node 80-4.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the execution history information DB 56. The execution history information DB 56 stores information indicating the execution history of the workflow executed by the workflow control unit 68. In FIG. 5, an example of information indicating a workflow execution history registered in the execution history information DB 56 in association with each of the “execution order”, “node name”, “execution date / time”, and “processing ID” information. Show. The information indicating “execution order” is information indicating the order of nodes executed in the workflow, and the information indicating “node name” is information indicating the name of the node for identifying the node. The information indicating “execution date / time” is information indicating the execution start time of the node, and the information indicating “processing ID” is identification information for identifying the execution of the node.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the data item definition information 57. In the data item definition information 57, information indicating the definition of the data item used in the workflow node is registered. FIG. 6 shows an example in which each of the “data item”, “name”, and “data type” information is registered in association with the data item definition information 57. The information indicated by “data item” is identification information for identifying the data item of the node, and the information indicated by “name” is information indicating the name of the node indicating the contents of the node. The information indicated by “data type” is information indicating the data type when registering the information indicated by “name”.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the data item information DB 58. In the data item information DB 58, information indicating specific contents of data items used in the node is registered. FIG. 7 shows an example of the data item information registered in the data item information DB 58 in association with each of the “data item”, “name”, and “value” information. The information indicating “data item” is identification information for identifying the data item of the node defined by the definition information 57 of the data item, and the information indicating “name” is the name of the node indicating the contents of the node. It is information which shows. The information indicating “value” is information indicating the content of the information indicated by “name”. The “name” information may also serve as the “data item” information.

  8 and 9 show an example of the saved data information DB 60. FIG. The save data information DB 60 stores information indicating data to be saved at the node. Here, the data saved in the node is generally saved data by re-creating data for saving from the data used in the node. In this embodiment, in order to reduce the processing load of recreating the save data, a data holding object corresponding to the data item to be changed of each node is generated from the definition information of the data item of each node and saved. Data. That is, the data holding object generated from the definition information of the data item of the node is diverted to the saved data format. Specifically, the information obtained by serializing the data holding objects based on the definition information of the data item of the node is registered in the saved data information DB 60 as information (saved data) indicating data to be saved at the node (details will be described later).

  FIG. 8 shows a save data DB 60A in which “data item” and “value” information are registered in association with each other as an example of save data corresponding to the node data items. The information indicating “data item” is identification information for identifying the data item of the node defined by the definition information 57 of the data item, and the information indicating “value” is information indicating the content of the data item. . FIG. 9 shows a data holding object DB 60B in which information of “process ID” and “save data” is registered in association with each other as an example of the save data. Information indicating “processing ID” is identification information for identifying execution of the node, and information indicating “save data” is information indicating a data holding object. The information indicating the data holding object is data obtained by serializing the name and value of the data item of the node with respect to the data item used in the node. The data holding objects generated from the save data shown in FIG. 8 are “D1”, “Value-1-1”, “D2”, “Value-2-1”,. Although FIG. 8 shows the save data DB 60A and FIG. 9 shows the data holding object DB 60B, it is not limited to registering both DBs as the save data information DB 60. That is, the data holding object can be generated from the data item and value of the node defined by the data item definition information 57. Therefore, in the present embodiment, data can be manipulated using a data holding object generated from the data item definition information of the node as a data holding object corresponding to the data item to be changed of each node.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of the saved data management information DB 62. Information used for determination for saving data is registered in the save data management information DB 62. FIG. 10 shows an example of saved data management information registered in the saved data management information DB 62 in association with each of the information of “process ID”, “data item version”, and “update flag”. Information indicating “process ID” is identification information for identifying execution of the node. In the information indicating “data item version”, information indicating the data version is stored in the data item used in the target node. In the “update flag”, ON character information is stored (set) when data is updated in the target node. The information of “data item version” is registered corresponding to each data item (D1, D2, D3, D4 in FIG. 10) used in the workflow.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the server device 32 is connected to each of the plurality of terminal devices 70 via a computer network 69. 2 shows an example in which the computer system 30 includes three terminal devices 70. However, the terminal device 70 is not limited to three, and it is sufficient that the client function described in detail below can be executed. One or more terminal devices 70 may be included.

  Each terminal device 70 includes a CPU 71, a memory 72, and a nonvolatile recording unit 73 in which an operation program 74 is recorded. The CPU 71, the memory 72, and the recording unit 73 are connected to each other via a bus 79. The terminal device 70 includes a display unit 75 such as a display and an input unit 76 such as a keyboard and a mouse. The display unit 75 and the input unit 76 are connected to a bus 79. In the terminal device 70, an IO device 77 for reading from and writing to the recording medium 39 is connected to the bus 79. Further, the terminal device 70 includes a communication control unit 78 including an interface for connecting to the computer network 69. The recording unit 73 can be realized by an HDD, a flash memory, or the like.

  In the following description, when individually targeting a plurality of terminal devices 70 or elements included in the terminal devices 70, as indicated by the terminal devices 70A, 70B, and 70C, the symbols are given to the reference symbols, and the terminals The devices 70 or the elements included in the computer are distinguished from each other. In the present embodiment, the terminal device 70 used by the operator who operates the workflow will be described as a terminal device 70A on the workflow client side. A user system that performs input / output with respect to the workflow control unit 68 will be described as a terminal device 70B on the user system side. Further, the terminal device 70 used by the operator who executes the operation management of the workflow will be described as a terminal device 70C on the operation management client side.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In the following description, an example of a workflow including nodes from application to approval will be described. FIG. 11 shows an example of a series of flow from application to approval as a workflow node. In the example illustrated in FIG. 11, the update process 80-1A in which the data of the data item 82-1 is updated in the first node 80-1 of “application”, and the data item 82- in the fourth node of “confirmed”. 4 includes an update process 80-4A in which 4 is updated.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of the processing flow of the workflow control unit 68 that operates in the server device 32 when the workflow system 10 is realized by the computer system 30. In the workflow control unit 68, the processing routine shown in FIG. 12 is executed every predetermined time. That is, the CPU 34 of the server device 32 operates as the workflow control unit 68 by executing the workflow control process 48 included in the control program 46, and executes the processing routine shown in FIG. 12 every predetermined time.

  In step 100, the workflow control unit 68 determines whether information transmitted from the terminal device 70 has been received. The information transmitted from the terminal device 70 includes information indicating an instruction to move the processing in the information 80 indicating the workflow from the current node to the next node, and information indicating an instruction to restore data to the recovery point. If the workflow control unit 68 makes a negative determination in step 100, it immediately ends this processing routine. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step 100, the workflow control unit 68 determines in step 102 whether or not the received information is information indicating a node movement instruction. When the workflow control unit 68 receives the information indicating the node movement instruction, the workflow control unit 68 makes an affirmative determination in step 102 and executes a node movement process (details will be described later) when moving from the current node to the next node. The processing routine ends.

  If the information indicating the instruction to restore data to the recovery point is received, the workflow control unit 68 makes a negative determination in step 106 after making a negative determination in step 102. If an affirmative determination is made in step 106, the workflow control unit 68 executes a restoration process (details will be described later) for restoring to the designated recovery point in step 108, and then ends this processing routine. If the information received in step 100 is neither the information indicating the node movement instruction nor the information indicating the recovery instruction, the workflow control unit 68 makes a negative determination in both step 102 and step 106 and ends this processing routine. To do.

  Next, the node movement process in step 104 shown in FIG. 12 will be further described. In the node movement process of step 104 shown in FIG. 12, the process routine shown in FIG. 13 is executed.

  The workflow control unit 68 receives information transmitted from the terminal device 70 in step 110. As an example of information transmitted from the terminal device 70, a change instruction including contents for changing data of a data item transmitted from the terminal device 70A on the workflow client side, and processing in the workflow from the current node to the next There is information indicating an instruction to move to a node. Information indicating a change instruction and a node movement instruction may be transmitted from the terminal device 70B on the user system side. In step 110, the workflow control unit 68 also receives information indicating that the terminal device 70, that is, the terminal device 70A on the workflow client side or the terminal device 70B on the user system side requests a response.

  In step 112, the workflow control unit 68 assigns a new ID having a larger value than the existing process ID. That is, a new process ID is assigned as the process ID of the next node that moves from the current node for which the node movement instruction has been issued. An example of the process ID includes information indicating a numerical value that is incremented by 1 from 1. Next, the workflow control unit 68 requests the data save / restore management unit 66 to execute the data save process in step 114. The data evacuation / restoration management unit 66 executes the data evacuation process and returns information indicating completion upon completion (details will be described later). The workflow control unit 68 repeats negative determination in step 116 until information indicating completion is received from the data save / restore management unit 66, and if received, the process proceeds to step 118. In step 118, the workflow control unit 68 changes the workflow control information, the execution history information, and the data item information in accordance with the instruction content received in step 110. Next, in step 120, the workflow control unit 68 determines whether or not a response as a processing result is requested by determining whether or not information indicating that a response is requested is received from the terminal device 70. If the determination in step 120 is negative, the workflow control unit 68 ends the processing routine as it is. If the determination is affirmative, the workflow control unit 68 ends the processing routine after making a response to return the processing result to the terminal device 70 in step 122. .

  Next, the operation of the data save / restore management unit 66 will be described.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of the processing flow of the data save / restore management unit 66 operating in the server device 32 when the workflow system 10 is realized by the computer system 30. In the data save / restore management unit 66, the processing routine shown in FIG. 14 is executed every predetermined time. That is, the CPU 34 of the server device 32 operates as the data saving / restoring management unit 66 by executing the data saving / restoring management process 50 included in the control program 46, and executes the processing routine shown in FIG. 14 every predetermined time. .

  In step 200, the data save / restore management unit 66 determines whether information indicating a request transmitted from the workflow control unit 68 has been received. The information transmitted from the workflow control unit 68 includes information requesting execution of a data saving process for saving node data and information requesting execution of a recovery process for restoring data to a recovery point. If the data evacuation / restoration management unit 66 makes a negative determination in step 200, the processing routine is terminated. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step 200, the data save / restore management unit 66 determines in step 202 whether or not the received request information is information requesting execution of the data save process. When the data saving / restoring management unit 66 receives information requesting execution of data saving processing, the data saving / recovery management unit 66 makes an affirmative determination in step 202, and data saving processing for saving data of the current node when moving a node (details will be described later) ) Is executed, the present processing routine is terminated.

  When receiving information requesting execution of recovery processing for restoring data to a recovery point, the data save / restore management unit 66 makes a negative determination in step 206 after making a negative determination in step 202. If the data evacuation / restoration management unit 66 makes an affirmative determination in step 206, the data evacuation / restoration management unit 66 ends the processing routine after executing a recovery process (details will be described later) for restoring to the specified recovery point in step 208. If the information received in step 200 is neither the information indicating the execution request for the data saving process nor the information indicating the execution request for the recovery process, the data saving / restoring management unit 66 rejects both in step 202 and step 206. This processing routine is finished.

  Next, the data saving process in step 204 shown in FIG. 14 will be further described. In the data saving process in step 204, the saved data management information holds a data item version and an update flag for each node process. That is, one save data management information is held for each workflow process. In the data saving process, the data item version is stored at the timing when the data is saved. In the data saving process, the update flag is set to the value “ON” when the data item of the node is updated at the timing of moving from the current node to the next node. The update flag can be set to information indicating that the data is not updated, for example, the value “OFF” when the data is not updated in the node. When the data is not updated at the node, the update flag may be reset (value is not set). Further, in the data saving process, the data item version corresponding to the data item of the current node is obtained with reference to the saved data management information at the timing of moving from the current node to the next node. An example of the data item version includes information having the same value as the process ID. Also, in the data saving process, it is determined whether or not to save data based on the version information and update flag of the saved data management information for each node, and the data is saved based on the determination result. Perform processing or processing that does not save data. The process that does not save data is a process that does nothing, and moves to the next process without performing the process of saving data.

  An example of conditions for determining whether to save data in a node is shown. The first determination condition is a condition for determining that data saving is to be executed if there is no data item version in the initial state. The second determination condition is a condition for determining that data saving is executed when the latest data item version corresponding to each data item of the current node is a different version among the data items. The third determination condition is a condition for determining that data saving is to be executed when the update flag of the latest data item version is set. The fourth determination condition is a condition for determining that data evacuation is not necessary and data evacuation is not executed when the first determination condition, the second determination condition, and the third determination condition are not met.

  Specifically, in the data saving process in step 204 shown in FIG. 14, a processing routine shown in FIG. 15 is executed.

  In step 210, the data save / restore management unit 66 refers to the save data management information and obtains the latest data item version corresponding to the data item of the current node for each data item. That is, the data save / restore management unit 66 obtains the data item version of the latest data item before the current node corresponding to the data item of the current node for each data item of the current node.

  Next, in step 212, the data save / restore management unit 66 determines whether all the obtained data item versions exist. That is, the data saving / restoring management unit 66 determines whether or not all the latest data item versions corresponding to the data items of the current node exist. If the data save / restore management unit 66 makes an affirmative determination in step 212, the process proceeds to step 214. If a negative determination is made, the data save / restore management unit 66 proceeds to step 224.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step 212, the data save / restore management unit 66 determines in step 214 whether all the obtained data item versions have the same data item version value. If the data save / restore management unit 66 makes an affirmative determination in step 214, the process proceeds to step 216, and if a negative determination is made, the data save / restore management unit 66 proceeds to step 224.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step 214, the data save / restore management unit 66 refers to the save data management information in step 216 and obtains an update flag corresponding to the data item version for each data item. That is, the data save / restore management unit 66 obtains an update flag corresponding to the latest data item version for each data item of the current node obtained in step 210.

  Next, in step 218, the data save / restore management unit 66 determines whether all the update flags obtained in step 216 are off. If the data save / restore management unit 66 makes an affirmative determination in step 218, the process proceeds to step 220, and if a negative determination is made, the data save / restore management unit 66 proceeds to step 224.

  If the determination in step 218 is affirmative, the data save / restore management unit 66 determines in step 220 whether or not an instruction to change the data item is instructed. If the data evacuation / restoration management unit 66 makes an affirmative determination in step 220, after setting the update flag obtained in step 216 to on (“ON”) in step 222, this processing routine is terminated. In step 222, information indicating completion of the data saving process is returned to the workflow control unit 68.

  In step 224, the data save / restore management unit 66 adds data including the data item version and the update flag to the save data management information as current node information using the new process ID value as a key. That is, data including information with the new process ID value as a key is added to the saved data management information. The information using the new process ID value as a key includes information having a new process ID value or a unique value in the data item version corresponding to the data item of the current node. The information using the value of the new process ID as a key also includes information in which the value of the update flag is on when the data item data is updated.

  Further, in step 226, the data save / restore management unit 66 adds data having the value of the data item of the current node using the new process ID value as a key to the save data information. In the present embodiment, the saved data information is data obtained by generating a data holding object corresponding to the data item to be changed of each node from the data item definition information of the node. In step 226, information indicating completion of the data saving process is returned to the workflow control unit 68.

  Next, the data saving process executed by the data saving / restoring management unit 66 will be specifically described. 16 and 17 show the relationship between various data in the first node 80-1 to the fourth node 80-4.

  First, in the first node 80-1, the saved data management information is referred to, the latest data item version corresponding to the data item of the current node is obtained for each data item (step L01), and the first node 80-1 It is determined whether or not to save data (step L02). Since the first node 80-1 is the first node in the workflow, there is no latest data item version from the first node 80-1. Therefore, it is determined to save the data according to the first determination condition, and data including information with the new process ID value as a key is added to the saved data management information (step L03). Since the data of the data item is updated in the first node 80-1, information in which the value of the update flag is on is also added. In the first node 80-1, saved data information that is a data holding object determined from the data item definition information of the first node 80-1 is generated and stored as saved data (step L04).

  Similarly, in the second node 80-2, the saved data management information is referred to, the latest data item version is obtained (step L01), and it is determined whether or not to save the data in the second node 80-2 ( Step L02). In the second node 80-2, the latest data item version is the same, but since the value of the update flag is on, it is determined that the data is to be saved according to the third determination condition, and a new process ID is included in the saved data management information. Data including information with the value of as a key is added (step L03). In the second node 80-2, the data item data is not updated, so the update flag is not set. Also, in the second node 80-2, saved data information that is a data holding object determined from the data item definition information of the second node 80-2 is generated and stored as the saved data (step L04).

  In the third node 80-3, the saved data management information is also referred to, the latest data item version is obtained (step L01), and it is determined whether or not the data in the third node 80-3 is to be saved (step S01). Step L02). In the third node 80-3, since the latest data item version is the same, it is determined not to save the data according to the fourth determination condition, and no data is added to the saved data management information (step L03). Further, the third node 80-3 does not generate saved data information that is a data holding object (step L04).

  Further, similarly in the fourth node 80-4, the saved data management information is referred to, the latest data item version is obtained (step L01), and it is determined whether or not to save the data in the fourth node 80-4. (Step L02). In the fourth node 80-4, since the latest data item version is different, it is determined that the data is to be saved according to the second determination condition, and the data including information with the new process ID value as a key is included in the saved data management information. It is added (step L03). Since the data of the data item is updated in the fourth node 80-4, information whose update flag value is ON is also added. Also, in the fourth node 80-4, saved data information that is a data holding object determined from the data item definition information of the fourth node 80-4 is generated and stored as the saved data (step L04).

  Next, the flow of information when the workflow system 10 is realized by the computer system 30 will be specifically described. 18 and 19 show an example of information flow among the terminal device 70A on the workflow client side, the data save / restore management unit 66, and the workflow control unit 68. FIG. FIGS. 18 and 19 show an example of information flow when the second node 80-2 instructs to change the data item data.

  The applicant operates the terminal device 70A on the workflow client side to instruct the workflow control unit 68 to make a change (step L10). In the example shown in FIG. 18, an instruction to change “accommodation location” as data item “D2” to “XYZ hotel”, an instruction to change “accommodation fee” as data item “D3” to “¥ 18,500-”, An instruction to change the “payout date” that is the data item “D4” to “2013/12/19” is included. Further, the instruction in the process L10 includes an instruction to proceed to the next node. In response to the instruction from the terminal device 70A, the workflow control unit 68 requests the data save / restore management unit 66 to execute the data save process based on the workflow control information and the data item information (step L11). In response to a request from the workflow control unit 68, the data save / restore management unit 66 determines whether or not data save is necessary based on the data of the save data management information. The value of the data item is stored in (Step L12).

  Next, the data save / restore management unit 66 adds or changes the save data management information (step L13). The workflow control unit 68 changes the workflow control information and the data item information, and adds the execution of the workflow process to the execution history information (step L14). Further, when a response request is made from the workflow client side terminal device 70A, the workflow control unit 68 notifies the processing result to the workflow client side terminal device 70A (step L15).

  Next, the restoration process in step 108 shown in FIG. 12 executed by the workflow control unit 68 will be further described. In the restoration process in step 108 shown in FIG. 12, the processing routine shown in FIG. 20 is executed.

  In step 130, the workflow control unit 68 receives information transmitted from the terminal device 70. An example of information indicating a recovery instruction is information indicating an instruction to restore data to a recovery point transmitted from the terminal device 70C on the operation management client side. In step 130, the workflow control unit 68 also receives information indicating that the terminal device 70, that is, the terminal device 70C on the operation management client side requests a response.

  In step 132, the workflow control unit 68 refers to the execution history information and obtains a process ID corresponding to the recovery instruction as a restoration process ID. Next, in step 134, the workflow control unit 68 requests the data save / restore management unit 66 to execute recovery processing. The data evacuation / restoration management unit 66 executes the recovery process, and returns information indicating completion upon completion (details will be described later). The workflow control unit 68 repeats negative determination in step 136 until information indicating completion is received from the data save / restore management unit 66, and when received, the process proceeds to step 138. In step 138, the workflow control unit 68 changes the workflow control information, the execution history information, and the data item information based on the recovery save data returned from the recovery process and the recovery instruction. Next, in step 140, the workflow control unit 68 determines whether or not a response to the processing result is requested by determining whether or not information indicating that a response is requested is received from the terminal device 70. If the determination in step 140 is negative, the workflow control unit 68 ends the present processing routine as it is. If the determination is affirmative, the workflow control unit 68 ends the processing routine after making a response for returning the processing result to the terminal device 70 in step 142. .

  Next, the recovery process in step 208 shown in FIG. 14 executed by the data save / restore management unit 66 will be further described. In the recovery process of step 208 shown in FIG. 14, the process routine shown in FIG. 21 is executed.

  In step 230, the data save / restore management unit 66 turns off the value of the determination flag corresponding to each data item for determining that the recovery save data is available. That is, in step 230, the determination flag is associated with each data item, and the value of the determination flag is set to OFF.

  Next, in step 232, the data save / restore management unit 66 searches the save data management information in order for data having a process ID equal to or greater than the value of the restore process ID. Next, in step 234, the data save / restore management unit 66 extracts one data from the search result data, and in the next step 236, determines whether there is data content. If the data save / restore management unit 66 makes a negative determination in step 236, the process proceeds to step 248.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step 236, the data save / restore management unit 66 confirms the state of the determination flag for all data items for which values are set among the data item versions of the extracted data in step 238. Next, in step 240, the data save / restore management unit 66 determines whether or not there is a determination flag indicating that the state is OFF. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 242. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 234. Return processing.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step 240, the data save / restore management unit 66 refers to the save data information in step 242, retrieves data corresponding to the processing ID of the extracted data, and holds it as recovery save data. Next, the data saving / restoring management unit 66 sets the value of the determination flag to ON for the data item for which a value is set among the data item versions of the extracted data. Further, the data saving / restoring management unit 66 determines whether or not the determination flags of all the data items are ON in Step 246, and if negative determination is made, the process returns to Step 234, and if the determination is positive Shifts the processing to step 248.

  In step 248, the data save / restore management unit 66 deletes data whose process ID value is equal to or greater than the restore process ID value based on the save data management information and the save data information. The data save / restore management unit 66 returns the saved recovery save data to the workflow control unit 68 in step 250.

  Next, the flow of information when the workflow system 10 is realized by the computer system 30 will be specifically described. 22 and 23 show an example of information flow among the terminal device 70C on the operation management client side, the data save / restore management unit 66, and the workflow control unit 68. FIG. 22 and 23 show an example of the information flow when the operation manager instructs the recovery process to return the execution order to the state of the second node 80-2 for the workflow process in which a failure has occurred. .

  The operation administrator operates the terminal device 70C on the operation management client side, and instructs the recovery process to return the execution order to the state of the second node 80-2 for the workflow process in which the failure has occurred (step L20). The workflow control unit 68 obtains a process ID corresponding to the execution order 2 from the execution history information, and requests the data save / restore management unit 66 to extract save data necessary for recovery (step L21). The data saving / restoring management unit 66 determines saving data necessary for recovery from the saving data management information, extracts the saving data stored in the saving data information, and passes it to the workflow control unit 68 (step L22). In step L22, data after the process ID to be recovered is deleted based on the saved data management information and the saved data information.

  Next, the workflow control unit 68 changes the workflow control information and the data item information using the saved data necessary for recovery (step L23). In step L23, the workflow control unit 68 adds the execution of the recovery process to the execution history information. Further, when a response request is made from the terminal device 70C on the operation management client side, the workflow control unit 68 notifies the processing result to the terminal device 70C on the operation management client side (step L24).

  Note that the processing of step 212 to step 220 executed by the CPU 34 is an example corresponding to the processing of the determination unit when the server device 32 operates as a workflow system. Further, the processing of step 224 and step 226 executed by the CPU 34 is an example corresponding to the processing of the saving unit when the server device 32 operates as a workflow system. Furthermore, the processing of step 248 and step 250 executed by the CPU 34 is an example corresponding to the processing of the restoration unit when the server device 32 operates as a workflow system.

  As described above, this embodiment determines whether to save the data of the node data item for each node based on the version information and the update flag included in the save data management information. It is only necessary to save a limited amount of data, and the amount of saved data can be reduced. Further, when the data is not saved, the process for saving the data can be reduced, and the processing cost can be suppressed.

  In this embodiment, since it is determined to save data based on the version information and the update flag, the saved data amount can be reduced compared to saving data for each node.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the data item data is saved for the first node included in the workflow, so that the data can be reliably saved from the first node.

  In this embodiment, if the version information associated with the data item of the node before the current node is the same and the data has not been updated, the data is not saved, so the duplicate data is saved. Can be suppressed.

  In this embodiment, for each node, information including version information associated with information indicating data items used in the node and flag information indicating that at least a part of data has been updated in the node is saved. Add to data management information and store. Therefore, by referring to the saved data management information, it is possible to confirm that the version of the data item in the node and that the data has been updated in the node.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the data item data saved at the node is data generated by combining the data item data used at the node, and therefore the process of recreating the saved data can be suppressed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the input node data is restored based on the information indicating the position of the input node, the saved data management information, and the saved data. Based on the saved data management information, it is possible to quickly identify a node including a data item for restoring the data of the node corresponding to the input node position. Further, the saved data can be quickly identified by the saved data management information.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the individual data to be saved is connected and held for each node, so that data can be easily restored by extracting data item data from the saved data.

  In the above description, an example in which the workflow system 10 is realized by the server device 32 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to these configurations, and various improvements and modifications may be made without departing from the gist described above.

  Moreover, although the aspect by which the program was previously memorize | stored (installed) in the memory | storage part was demonstrated above, it is not limited to this. For example, the program in the disclosed technology can be provided in a form recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM.

  Regarding the above embodiment, the following additional notes are disclosed.

(Appendix 1)
When processing a plurality of nodes according to a workflow in a predetermined order, for each of the plurality of nodes, information indicating the node is associated with information indicating a data item used in the node and at least one of the nodes. Management information including flag information indicating that the data of the unit has been updated is stored in the storage unit, and the current node when processing proceeds to the next node among the management information stored in the storage unit A node having a value in the version information associated with the information indicating the data item of the target node among the nodes prior to the target node is set as a reference node, and the information indicating the data item of the reference node Data of the data item in the target node based on the associated version information and the flag information of the reference node It determines whether to retreat,
A workflow control program for causing a computer to execute processing including saving data of data items in the target node based on a determination result.

(Appendix 2)
If version information associated with the information indicating the data item of the reference node is not set, or the version information value differs between the version information associated with the information indicating the data item of the reference node Is set, or when flag information indicating that at least a part of data has been updated in the reference node is set, it is determined to save the data of the data item in the target node. The workflow control program according to 1.

(Appendix 3)
If the target node is the first node included in the workflow and the version information associated with the information indicating the data item of the reference node is not set, the data of the data item in the target node is saved. The workflow control program according to appendix 2.

(Appendix 4)
When the flag information indicating that the version information value is the same between the version information associated with the information indicating the data item of the reference node and the data is not updated in the reference node is set, The workflow control program according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 3, which determines that data of a data item in the target node is not saved.

(Appendix 5)
The target node including version information in which information indicating the target node is associated with information indicating a data item used in the target node, and flag information indicating that at least a part of data is updated in the target node The workflow control program according to any one of appendix 1 to appendix 4, wherein the management information is included in the storage unit and stored in the storage unit.

(Appendix 6)
The workflow control program according to any one of appendix 1 to appendix 5, wherein the data of the data item saved at the target node is data generated by combining the data of the data item saved at the target node.

(Appendix 7)
The data of the input node is restored based on the information indicating the position of the node inputted when restoring the data in the workflow, the management information, and the saved data. The workflow control program according to claim 1.

(Appendix 8)
The workflow control program according to appendix 7, wherein a part of the saved data is extracted to restore the data.

(Appendix 9)
Computer
When processing a plurality of nodes according to a workflow in a predetermined order, for each of the plurality of nodes, information indicating the node is associated with information indicating a data item used in the node and at least one of the nodes. Management information including flag information indicating that the data of the unit has been updated is stored in the storage unit, and the current node when processing proceeds to the next node among the management information stored in the storage unit A node having a value in the version information associated with the information indicating the data item of the target node among the nodes prior to the target node is set as a reference node, and the information indicating the data item of the reference node Data of the data item in the target node based on the associated version information and the flag information of the reference node It determines whether to retreat,
A workflow control method including saving data of a data item in the target node based on a determination result.

(Appendix 10)
If version information associated with the information indicating the data item of the reference node is not set, or the version information value differs between the version information associated with the information indicating the data item of the reference node Is set, or when flag information indicating that at least a part of data has been updated in the reference node is set, it is determined to save the data of the data item in the target node. 10. The workflow control method according to 9.

(Appendix 11)
When the flag information indicating that the version information value is the same between the version information associated with the information indicating the data item of the reference node and the data is not updated in the reference node is set, The workflow control method according to appendix 9 or appendix 10, wherein it is determined that data of the data item in the target node is not saved.

(Appendix 12)
Any one of appendix 9 to appendix 11 that restores the data of the input node based on the information indicating the position of the node input when restoring the data in the workflow, the management information, and the saved data The workflow control method according to claim 1.

(Appendix 13)
When processing a plurality of nodes according to a workflow in a predetermined order, for each of the plurality of nodes, information indicating the node is associated with information indicating a data item used in the node and at least one of the nodes. A storage unit for storing management information including flag information indicating that the data of the unit has been updated;
Among the management information stored in the storage unit, the current node when processing proceeds to the next node is set as the target node, and the information indicating the data item of the target node among the nodes before the target node Based on the version information associated with the information indicating the data item of the reference node and the flag information of the reference node based on the node having a value in the associated version information as a reference node, the data in the target node A determination unit for determining whether to save the data of the item;
Based on the determination result, a saving unit for saving data of the data item in the target node;
Workflow control system with

(Appendix 14)
The determination unit is different when version information associated with information indicating the data item of the reference node is not set or between version information associated with information indicating the data item of the reference node. When the value of version information to be set is set, or when flag information indicating that at least a part of data has been updated in the reference node is set, the data of the data item in the target node is saved. The workflow control system according to attachment 13, wherein:

(Appendix 15)
The determination unit sets flag information indicating that the version information value is the same among the version information associated with the information indicating the data item of the reference node, and that the data is not updated in the reference node. If it is, the workflow control system according to appendix 13 or appendix 14, wherein it is determined not to save data of the data item in the target node.

(Appendix 16)
The node data is restored based on the information indicating the position of the node input when restoring the data in the workflow, the management information, and the saved data. The workflow control system according to claim 1.

10 Workflow system 12 CPU
14 Memory 16 Workflow Control Program 18 Judgment Unit 20 Saving Unit 22 Restoring Unit 24 Storage Unit 32 Server Device 34 CPU
36 Memory 39 Recording medium 42 Storage unit 46 Control program 48 Workflow control process 50 Data save / restore management process

Claims (6)

When processing a plurality of nodes according to a workflow in a predetermined order, for each of the plurality of nodes, information indicating the node is associated with information indicating a data item used in the node and at least one of the nodes. Management information including flag information indicating that the data of the unit has been updated is stored in the storage unit, and the current node when processing proceeds to the next node among the management information stored in the storage unit A node having a value in the version information associated with the information indicating the data item of the target node among the nodes prior to the target node is set as a reference node, and the information indicating the data item of the reference node Data of the data item in the target node based on the associated version information and the flag information of the reference node It determines whether to retreat,
A workflow control program for causing a computer to execute processing including saving data of data items in the target node based on a determination result. If version information associated with the information indicating the data item of the reference node is not set, or the version information value differs between the version information associated with the information indicating the data item of the reference node Is set, or when flag information indicating that at least a part of data has been updated in the reference node is set, it is determined to save data of the data item in the target node. Item 4. The workflow control program according to item 1. When the flag information indicating that the version information value is the same between the version information associated with the information indicating the data item of the reference node and the data is not updated in the reference node is set, The workflow control program according to claim 1, wherein it is determined not to save data of the data item in the target node. The input node data is restored based on the information indicating the position of the node inputted when restoring the data in the workflow, the management information, and the saved data. The workflow control program according to any one of the above. Computer
When processing a plurality of nodes according to a workflow in a predetermined order, for each of the plurality of nodes, information indicating the node is associated with information indicating a data item used in the node and at least one of the nodes. Management information including flag information indicating that the data of the unit has been updated is stored in the storage unit, and the current node when processing proceeds to the next node among the management information stored in the storage unit A node having a value in the version information associated with the information indicating the data item of the target node among the nodes prior to the target node is set as a reference node, and the information indicating the data item of the reference node Data of the data item in the target node based on the associated version information and the flag information of the reference node It determines whether to retreat,
A workflow control method including saving data of a data item in the target node based on a determination result. When processing a plurality of nodes according to a workflow in a predetermined order, for each of the plurality of nodes, information indicating the node is associated with information indicating a data item used in the node and at least one of the nodes. A storage unit for storing management information including flag information indicating that the data of the unit has been updated;
Among the management information stored in the storage unit, the current node when processing proceeds to the next node is set as the target node, and the information indicating the data item of the target node among the nodes before the target node Based on the version information associated with the information indicating the data item of the reference node and the flag information of the reference node based on the node having a value in the associated version information as a reference node, the data in the target node A determination unit for determining whether to save the data of the item;
Based on the determination result, a saving unit for saving data of the data item in the target node;
Workflow control system with

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