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What is an
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-include_actionflow_icon_actionflow_iconnopaneltrue Actionflow
nameWhatIsAnActionflow

What is an Actionflow?

An Actionflow is

a

diagram

that

 that represents a sequence of

action steps

actions and data flows

.Each Actionflow belongs to an application and is reusable within that application.

within an application. It controls the interactions users have with an application and its data, e.g. opening a new screen to edit data.

Actionflows are composed of individual

actions (nodes) that are wired together

actions nodes that each perform a specific task, e.g. opening a screen or saving data, and have input and output connections to screens, buttons, tables or

tables

other Actionflows.

Actionflows are designed to be resilient to name changes in screens, components, tables and attributes.

Actionflows belong to an application or package, and are represented by the Image Added icon.




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Example Actionflow

For this example Actionflow, the user clicks a button to trigger the Actionflow that saves a new record containing the text "New".

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Tip

Click on any image to see it in a larger window.



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Why are Actionflows used in PhixFlow?

Actionflows make PhixFlow applications interactive. They convert a static screen into a user interface

,

by combining

simple

individual actions into

complex

advanced functionality.

This enables

the

an application user to interact with the screens

, screen components and data.

The /number/ principles of an Actionflow

  • Actionflows that insert new records do not need any data to run them and therefore should have an Input Connection of On Click
  • Actionflows to edit an existing record do need data to run them and therefore should have an Input Connection using a Datasource
  • Always map in the minimum amount of data possible to run the Actionflow, e.g. just the UID

    and data.

    Actionflows are composable and reusable across an application but with different inputs connected, making Actionflows "data agnostic" and flexible, and ultimately saving time and effort. 




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    nameSimpleOverview

    Actionflow Simplified Overview  

    The following diagram illustrates a simplified view of an Actionflow that is being used by two different applications.

    The Actionflow is set up to take in a value, Area Code, and return an value, Normalised Area Code, in the form of an Output value. The Contact App maps a Postcode onto the Area Code, this is then processed by the Actionflow to produce a Normalised Area Code, and the Actionflow returns a normalised version of the Postcode. The Logistics App also uses the Actionflow, which is a different instance, and this time a Zip Code is mapped in.

    The returned Output can be used by the applications, for example, mapping the output onto a form field on a screen to display it.   

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    How to Create Actionflows

    On a screen, any component that has an 

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     tab can be configured to trigger an Actionflow to run. 

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    On a screen, click a component to display its properties. Components that can have Actionflows are:

    • buttons
    • grid views
    • card/containers
    • areas
    • form fields

    Create via Buttons

    Right click on a button and select Add Actionflow.
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    Create via Event Handler

    In the component properties →

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     Settings, in the Event Handler section, click 
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    .

    1. Event Type: select an event type
    2. Action Method: select Actionflow
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    4. Actionflow: click 
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    Create via Action Settings

    Add via an action directly.

    1. Action Method: select Actionflow
    2. Actionflow: click 
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