Introduction to Default Sequence Flows

Modeling Business Processes with Oracle BPM 6-27 The exclusive gateway can also merge incoming sequence flows. However, there is no synchronization with other tokens that may be coming from other paths within the process flow.

6.7.3 Introduction to the Inclusive Gateway

The inclusive gateway enables you to split your process into two or more paths. Unlike the exclusive gateway, however, a token may flow down one or more of these paths depending on how the outgoing conditional sequence flows are evaluated. You can have multiple outgoing conditional sequence flows for an inclusive gateway split. You must define at least one default sequence flow. Figure 6–32 shows the default notation for the inclusive gateway split. Figure 6–32 The Inclusive Gateway Split The inclusive gateway split is represented by a diamond-shaped icon with a circle in the middle. It is shaded on the left-hand side to represent the split of the inclusive gateway. Figure 6–33 shows the default notation for the inclusive gateway merge. Figure 6–33 The Inclusive Gateway Merge The inclusive gateway merge is represented by a diamond-shaped icon with circle in the middle. It is shaded on the right-hand side to represent the merge of the inclusive gateway.

6.7.3.1 Splitting and Merging Inclusive Gateways

The inclusive gateway splits a process similar to the exclusive gateway, but enables tokens to proceed down multiple outgoing sequence flow. When a token arrives at an inclusive gateway, the expressions of its conditional sequence flows are evaluated. Next, a token is generated for each of the conditional sequence flows that evaluate to true. Additionally, a token is generated for the default sequence flow. These tokens are merged at the merge of the inclusive gateway. When a token reaches the merge gateway, it waits until all of the tokens generated by the split have reached the merge. Once all of these tokens have reached the merge of the inclusive gateway, Note: If other tokens arrive at an exclusive gateway merge, then they are also passed through as is. If you are synchronizing tokens or perform evaluations on incoming sequence flows, you should use a different type of gateway. 6-28 Modeling and Implementation Guide for Oracle Business Process Management the merge is complete and the token continues to the next sequence flow after the gateway.

6.7.4 Introduction to the Parallel Gateway

The parallel gateway enables you to split your process into two or more paths when you want your process flow to follow all paths simultaneously. The parallel gateway is useful where your process must perform multiple tasks in parallel. Figure 6–34 shows the default notation for the parallel gateway split. Figure 6–34 The Parallel Gateway Split The parallel gateway split is represented by a diamond-shaped icon with a plus sign in the middle. It is shaded on the left-hand side to represent the split of the parallel gateway. Figure 6–35 shows the default notation for the parallel gateway merge. Figure 6–35 The Parallel Gateway Merge The parallel gateway merge is represented by a diamond-shaped icon with a plus sign in the middle. It is shaded on the right-hand side to represent the merge of the parallel gateway.

6.7.4.1 The Parallel Gateway in Context

The Sales Quote example process uses a parallel gateway during the approval stage of the process. Figure 6–36 shows how the parallel gateway is used to perform two process paths simultaneously.s Figure 6–36 Example of a Parallel Gateway This figure shows an example of the parallel gateway. It contains the split and merge halves of the parallel gateway. Between them are two parallel paths represented by the Approve Quote and Approve Terms users tasks.