Consistent modeling and execution of time constructs in business processes

摘要

Embodiments are directed to executing a workflow using a virtualized clock and to ensuring idempotency and correctness among workflow processes. In one scenario, a computer system a computer system determines that a workflow session has been initialized. The workflow session runs as a set of episodes, where each episode includes one or more pulses of work that are performed when triggered by an event. Each workflow session is processed according to a virtualized clock that keeps a virtual session time for the workflow session. The computer system receives an event that includes an indication of the time the event was generated, and then accesses the received event to determine which pulses of work are to be performed as part of a workflow session episode. The computer system then executes the determined pulses of work according to the virtual session time indicated by the virtualized clock.

主权项

1. A computer system comprising the following:
one or more processors; system memory; and one or more computer-readable storage media having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that are executable by the one or more processors to configure the computer system to execute a workflow using a virtualized clock, the computer-executable instructions including instructions that are executable to configure the computer system to perform at least the following:
determine that a workflow session has been initialized, the workflow session including one or more episodes, each episode comprising a pulse of work that is performed when triggered by an event, each workflow session being processed according to a virtualized clock that keeps a virtual session time for the workflow session, wherein receipt of an external message moves the virtualized clock forward if a timestamp on the external message is later than the current workflow session time, while receipt of local messages does not adjust the virtualized clock;receive an event, the event including an indication of the time the event was generated;access the received event to determine which one or more pulses of work are to be performed as part of a workflow session episode; andexecute the one or more specified pulses of work according to the virtual session time indicated by the virtualized clock.