javaspringspring-webflow-2

Is it possible to use if tag in <on-entry> state in spring webflow


I have written the flow as below in spring web-flow 2. But I get error as invalid content.

<on-entry>
<decision-state="check">
<if test="some condition" then="x state" else="y state"/>
</decision-state>
</on-entry>

<view-state id="x state">
<evaluate expression="...."/>
</view-state>

Is there any alternative to use if tag in on-entry state? Can we use decision-state in on-entry?

If the condition is true, I have to evaluate the method in <on-entry> state. Otherwise, it shouldn't evaluate in <on-entry> state.


Solution

  • first, <on-entry> only makes sense inside a state.
    second, you cannot define a state inside an <on-entry>

    what you should do is just define your decision-state and webflow will automatically use it as the entry point.

    <decision-state id="check">
        <if test="some condition" then="xState" else="yState"/>
    </decision-state>
    
    <view-state id="xState">
        <evaluate expression="...."/>
    </view-state>
    
    <view-state id="yState">
        <evaluate expression="...."/>
    </view-state>
    

    let's look at this flow, the entry point is obviously check, which is your decision-state because both x state and y state are called by it.

    so you flow chart is

                 x state
              /
    check
              \
                 y state

    because there is no other way. and I guess this is the behaviour you want

    [EDIT] here is an example with 2 action-states:

    <decision-state id="check">
        <if test="some condition" then="xState" else="yState"/>
    </decision-state>
    
    <action-state id="xState">
        <evaluate expression="expr1"/>
        <transition on="success" to="zState"/>
    </action-state>
    
    <action-state id="ySate">
        <evaluate expression="expr2"/>
        <transition on="success" to="zState"/>
    </action-state>
    
    <view-state id="zState">
    </view-state>
    


                  x action-state
              / (evaluate expr1) \
    check                           view-state
              \                           /
                  y action-state
                (evaluate expr2)