Applications at a Glance

Start by familiarizing yourself with these application concepts.

How can I create applications?

Create applications in one of these ways.

Method	Description
Create	Create a new process application or decision application.
Import	Import a previously exported process application from an .expx file or a previously exported decision application from a .dmnx file.
Recipe	Use a prebuilt, ready to use application.
Clone	Save a copy of an existing application under a new application name.
Version	Save a copy of an existing application under the same application name. (for example, 2.0).

What are the different types of applications that you can design?

You can design either a process application or a decision application. All process applications are listed in the Process Applications page, while all decision applications are listed in the Decision Applications page. The All Applications page lists all created process and decision applications. You can distinguish between a process and a decision application by the different icons.

• Process application
• Decision application

See Work with Process Applications and Work with Decision Applications.

What are snapshots?

A snapshot refers to the application at a point in time, and is used when activating. While designing, name and save as many snapshots as you want, so you can return to one to view or activate if needed. Snapshots are read only and can’t be edited. See Work with Snapshots.

How do versions work?

Want to branch your application, starting with its current state but grouping it under the same application? Create a new version, such as 1.1 based on 1.0. You can create and activate many versions in parallel, and switch between them in Designer.

An application's version always appears next to its name. Click the version icon to view other versions, open a different version, or create a new version.

While you can create and activate many application versions, just one version is set as the default version in Workspace.

See Work with Versions.

Description of the illustration lifecycle-versions.png

1. Create multiple independent versions of an application

2. Save a snapshot of a version at any time

3. Activate the application based on a snapshot

How are applications validated?

Validation ensures that your application can be activated. It reports errors (which prevent activation) and warnings (which don't prevent activation) found so you can resolve them.

Validation happens automatically as part of activation, but you can also validate any time by clicking menu and choosing Validate from the menu.

Can multiple users work on the same application at once?

Yes. Only one user can have access to a resource, such as a process or form, at a time. Within an application, view other users and all activity by clicking Main menu and choosing View Members. If you try to open a resource being edited by another user, a message notifies you.

How do I move applications from one system to another?

You can export and import process applications as .expx files and decision applications as .dmnx files. See Export an Application and Import an Application.