Demo on Workflow using Classes

By Richa Gupta, Sparta Consulting from Link

Purpose

To develop workflow using OOPS concept instead of using standard Business Object.  

NOTE: Before following this document, one must have a basic knowledge of OOPS Concepts.

Steps to follow to use Classes in Workflow  

 How to Create Custom Class  

Here we will be creating a custom class for MATERIAL.

Go to transaction SE24 and create a customized class.

Next the pop up appears where we need to mention the detail as follows:

Save it and the class is created.

Now the class is to implement IF_WORKFLOW interface. For this go to the    tab and declare the IF_WORKFLOW as the interface there and press Enter; two sub-interfaces appear: BI_OBJECT and BI_PERSISTENT. Save the Class.

The ZCL_TEST class now contains the existing methods of IF_WORKFLOW interface. 

Also, 2 new interfaces will be automatically added once you add IF_WORKFLOW interface in the class as shown below:

Each method of the IF_WORKFLOW Interface has its distinct functionality, which is discussed below.  

 BI_PERSISTENT~FIND_BY_LPOR Method:  

 Here, to create object, constructor of class needs to be implemented as follows:  

Here, SET_ATTRIBUTES method is called which will be implemented as follows :  

BI_PERSISTENT~LPOR Method:

BI_PERSISTENT~REFRESH Method:  

If we do not need the method in our class, then we need only to carry out a “dummy” implementation (without further coding) to avoid program errors when the system calls the method. 

 BI_OBJECT~DEFAULT_ATTRIBUTE_VALUE Method:  

 BI_OBJECT~EXECUTE_DEFAULT_METHOD Method:  

 BI_OBJECT~RELEASE Method:  

Now, the attributes need to be developed to implement above methods are as follows:  

To trigger the workflow using event of class, we must also create an event of the class. To do this, go to EVENTS tab, and there create a new event CREATED as shown below :  

Before implementing above methods, a local type needs to be created. To do this, click on LOCAL TYPES as shown below:  

Now write the below code :  

How to use Class in a Workflow  

Here, the workflow needs to be triggered as soon as a material is created. And then a workitem should go to initiator to edit the same material.  

Go to SWDD to create a new workflow.

Click on Basic Data Tab :  

Give an abbreviation and Short Description to workflow as follows :

Now click on START EVENTS tab and specify the following standard event of the standard class :

Now go back and right click in between the WORKFLOW STARTED and WORKFLOW COMPLETED.

Select CREATE. A list of available step types will be displayed as follows:  

Select ACTIVITY from this list. The following screen will appear:  

Specify the following details here:  

Click on Binding tab. Binding will be as follows:  

Click on task description. Automatically following details will show :  

Click on the green button for binding above and confirm the bindings must be as follows :

SET AGENT ASSIGNMENT:  

Click on yellow button coming besides Agent Assignment :  

Click on ATTRIBUTES:  

Select General Task and click on TRANSFER  

How to trigger event of Class  

To trigger event of a class, we need to call method RAISE of standard class CL_SWF_EVT_EVENT. This method can be called in a user exit, BAdi, or a custom report depending on the requirement.  

In our case, we are calling the method in a BAdi ‘BADI_MATERIAL_CHECK’.  

The method in which event will be raised is CHECK_DATA.  

Create a new custom method RAISE_EVENT in the class implemented for BAdi.

Following method will be called to raise event:  

Activate class and go back.

Now go in CHECK_DATE method and write the below code:  

Output 

Create a new material. To do this, go to MM01.  

Press Enter and the following screen will appear :  

Specify the above details and press Enter. On the next screen, enter the following details :  

Click on SAVE button.  

As soon as the material gets created, the workflow will trigger as shown below in the workflow log :