In Process Definitions, a node may need to generate multiple node instances to eliminate the need to create individual nodes.
Usually, only one node instance is generated for each node within the process definition at the time of execution.
Two iterative methods can be defined in looping definitions-Iterator (Parallel) Loop and Sequential Loop-while a single node definition can generate multiple node instances. The nodes that define this looping are called the Iterator (Parallel) Loop node and Sequential Loop node.
In the Iterator (Parallel) Loop node, multiple node instances are generated simultaneously in parallel. In the Sequential Loop node, node instances are generated sequentially till a certain condition is satisfied.
For example, the order management process definition requires that the same activity (such as "approve") be repeated for all items included in an order. Defining the Iterator (Parallel) Loop in the "approve" Activity Node eliminates the need to add a new Activity Node for each item included in the order. In the Iterator (Parallel) Loop node, user defined attributes can be used to specify settings for the number of node instances for the process definition design.
In the process definition for shipments of orders received, an activity or subprocess to add goods to goods shipped may, in some cases, execute repeatedly till there are no more items in the order. In such cases, the Sequential Loop node can be used to generate node instances till the specified condition is satisfied.
In the Sequential Loop node, the repeating condition and the maximum number of repetitions can be specified, either separately or collectively, to perform settings for the number of node instances for the process definition design.
The following items describe how to define the Iterator (Parallel) Loop and Sequential Loop.
