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Process Simulator

The Process Simulator is a simulation tool that allows you to step through a workflow process while you view the results of each step. Simulating a workflow process before you deploy it to your production environment helps to verify that the workflow process produces the expected results.

For more information about:

• How the Process Simulator works, see Architecture You Use to Simulate a Workflow Process.
• How to use the Process Simulator, see Preparing to Use the Process Simulator.
• Using the Business Service Simulator in situations where you cannot use the Process Simulator, see Business Service Simulator.

Using the Process Simulator with Different Workflow Modes

You can use the Process Simulator to test most workflow processes in Siebel Tools. You can use it to test a workflow process that runs in the Siebel client, including a service workflow process, a 7.0 flow workflow process, an interactive workflow process, or a workflow process that a run-time event starts. You cannot use the Process Simulator to test a long-running workflow process or a workflow process that involves a server component.

Using the Process Simulator with a Server Component

You cannot use the Process Simulator to test a workflow process that involves a server component. For example:

• Workflow Process Manager
• Server Request Broker
• Assignment Manager
• Communications Server

If a workflow process that involves a server component runs in the Process Simulator, then incorrect behavior results. To test a workflow process that involves a server component, you must deploy it to the run-time environment, and then test it in a Siebel client that is connected to the Siebel Server.

Using the Process Simulator to Start a Workflow Process

You can use the Process Simulator to start a workflow process in Siebel Tools, and then immediately test and debug it. You can debug workflow process steps while you define them in Siebel Tools.

If you use the Process Simulator to start a workflow process, then Siebel Tools can run it in the Application Object Manager (AOM) or in the Workflow Process Manager server session, depending on specific parameters. Because some workflow processes that can run in the Workflow Process Manager server session might not run correctly in the Application Object Manager, it is possible that you cannot simulate every workflow process.

For more information, see Starting a Workflow Process.

Preparing the Simulator for Use with a Script

You can use the Process Simulator with a workflow process that references a business service or a business component that contains a script. If this script includes a breakpoint, and if the Arguments field in the Siebel Tools debug configuration contains /h, then the simulator might not perform as expected. A breakpoint is a marker on a line of Basic code that instructs Basic to pause at that line so that the Siebel Debugger can examine the program state. The /h argument instructs the Siebel Debugger to open the Watch window.

To prepare the simulator for use with a script

1. Remove every breakpoint from the script that resides on a business service or a business component that the workflow process references.
2. Remove the /h argument from the Siebel Tools debug configuration:
   1. Choose the View menu, then the Options menu item.
   2. Click the Debug tab.
   3. Remove the /h argument from the Argument field.

For more information, see Using Siebel Tools.

Using the Watch Window

The Process Simulator includes a Watch window that dynamically displays values for the business component and process properties of the workflow process. For more information about:

• An example that uses the watch window, see Preparing Test Records.
• Using the watch window in conjunction with the Workflow Utilities business service, see Workflow Utilities Business Service.

To use the watch window

1. Click Start Simulation, and then wait for the Siebel client to start and return control to Siebel Tools.
2. Right-click the canvas of the Process Simulator, and then click Watch Window.

   The left column in the Watch window displays the name of the property set type. The right column displays the current value for the property. The Watch window is not available until after you do Step 1. You must start the simulation and wait for control to return to Siebel Tools before you open the Watch window.

Guidelines for Using the Watch Window

If you use the Watch window, then it is recommended that you use the following guidelines:

• To hide the Watch window, right-click it, and then click Hide Watch Window.
• If the Watch window is empty, then right-click the Process Simulator canvas, and then click Watch Window, which refreshes the display.
• You can open the Watch window in the Process Simulator or you can choose the View menu, Debug Windows, and then the Watch menu item.

Property Set of the Watch Window

Siebel Tools displays values that the simulation modifies in the Watch window as each step finishes during the simulation. Table 24 describes information that is available in the Watch window.