How to use external XML file to content process input variables

[Chan]

Hello,

Could anyone help me with this issue?

Currently, I have the project set up for end users to add/update/retrieve a Google Spreadsheet records. Meanwhile, some of those variables are hard coded in somewhere of those processes, such as client_id, client_secret, spreadsheet_id, worksheet_id, and etc.

Now, I was asked to "encapsulate" the processes, and put all of the variables somewhere, so that non-tech people could update those variable values later if needed.

In this case, I am thinking to use Process Input Tab to content all variables, which is linked to an external XML file.

Does anyone know how to do it? (Please show as screenshots as well)
Is it a better way to figure it out? Please share with me if you have other ideas.

Thanks & Regards,

Chan

[Bidisha Das]

Hi,

I guess you are performing add/update/retrieve operations using Google Spreadsheet Connectors.Since,you have created the connectors which are dynamic,they can be re-used by your customers.You need to mention in the Connector description what kind of values should be passed to the corresponding parameters in the connector so that end-user can understand clearly and use them in the respective connector or process.

I don't see any need of saving these variables(cient_id,spreadsheet_id etc) because they are already present in your Google spreadsheet account.Moreover,your customers will use their own parameters. But even then,if you want to save them,you can use collection.

Thanks & Regards

Bidisha

[Bidisha Das]

Hi,

Adding to my above reply,does the xml content of your connectors contain any hard-coded values? 

If yes, you can make them dynamic so that the customers can put their own values while using the connectors.So, you won't have to save the xml file anywhere. But please mention everything in the connector description so that later if you forget the format of the input values that need to be passed, you can refer to the description.

Thanks & Regards

Bidisha

[Chan]

Hey Bidisha,

The idea here is aimed to make it more convenience for maintaining by non-tech people as a system admin.

For example, in the process I have the spreadsheet_id and worksheet_id. Later, the spreadsheet has too many records and I want to use new one with exact same format with the old one ( so I don't need to change any connector and process ).

Now, one non-tech person has to change the spreadsheet_id and worksheet_id, but he is non-tech so he doesn't know the process and connector very much.
So I am thinking about to "save" those parameters somewhere (it may not be saved ), and that person doesn't need to go through all process/connector to find those parameters, he can go somewhere (might be collection) with all parameters and change any of them.

I think I may need to use collection to contain all those parameters, but I don't know how to access values in collection from process.


Thanks & Regards,

Chan

[Chan]

On Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 6:29:52 AM UTC-4, Bidisha Das wrote:

Hey,

Adding to my above explanation, I was trying to use the Input tab as the screen shows to import a XML file with all parameters, but I don't know is that correct.
And I also have question about the XML file's format (standard XML format?) and how to invoke the value in that file.

Could help me with it?


Thanks,

Chan

[c...@bcsglobal.com]

[Bidisha Das]

Hi Chan,

Process Input tab is basically used when you are invoking a process by email or when you are sending variables from main process to sub process.

You can't use this to store any value or file.

You can save the parameters in process input variables with values if you have plugged in the connectors in Process activities.In this way,the customer can change the values and run the process.

Else,you can use Collection and store the values so that the Customer can view it for reference whenever they are running the Connectors.

But the best way is to add Description in Connectors regarding the parameters to be passed so that whenever the customer uses the connector,he can check in its description and find out how and what values should be passed.

There is no automated way such that the values get changed by itself and the customer does not need to do anything.Even if he is a non-tech person and he is willing to use a connector,he needs to go to the connector description and find out the format and values of the different parameters that need to be passed.There is no alternative way.

Please let me know if I am misunderstanding your requirement.

Thanks & Regards

Bidisha

[c...@bcsglobal.com]

On Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 6:29:52 AM UTC-4, Bidisha Das wrote:

Hi Bidisha,

Thank you so much for your patient and help.

Since we don't want to use both collection and google spreadsheet, the input variables requirement was removed from our plan.

Anyways, thanks again.

Regards,

Chan