Can not pass process variable if using submitStartFormData to new process

[dean]

the API of 

formService.submitStartFormData

only support Map<String,String>, but If I have a service task after the start form event, which need accept a boolean value or complex java bean. How can I pass process variable just like 

runtimeService

startProcessInstanceById(String processDefinitionId, String businessKey, Map<String,Object> variables)

Same problem but not solved

[nikmenke]

Hi,

why don't you use the startProcessInstanceById method? You could also pass your form variables there.

[gdharley]

Why do you "have to" use toe formService rather than the runtimeService?

Runtime Service lets you start a process instance with business key, variables etc.

If formService is a requirement, please explain the scenario so we can help.

Greg

‌

[dean]

Hi Greg,

Because I used start form event, when user submit a form request then start a new process instance. I think that is why formService provides the function 'submitStartFormData'. 

My start event:

<startEvent id="start" name="Start" activiti:initiator="applyUserId">
  <extensionElements>
    <activiti:formProperty id="f_name" value="${f_name}" name="Name" type="string" expression="#{contact.name}" required="true"/>
  </extensionElements>
</startEvent>

I need pass complex java bean 'contact' into process as process variables. Then use formService.submitStartFormData to start the process, the form variable should be a map, key is 'f_name', value is 'jeff'.

After the process instance started, I could get contact from process, the contact.name should equal 'jeff'.

[gdharley · Accepted solution]

Ok, Just because you use a start event (all processes MUST use some kind of start event), doesn't mean you have to start the process using a form.

There are many ways to start a process, if you want to inject variables other than Strings then you need to use the appropriate runtimeService.startProcessInstanceByID() or startProcessInstanceByKey().

Thanks,

Greg

‌

[dean]

Hi Greg,

Thanks for the quick reply

I still think believe the interface should add one more parameter

from 

ProcessInstance submitStartFormData(String processDefinitionId, String businessKey, Map<String, String> properties);

to 

ProcessInstance submitStartFormData(String processDefinitionId, String businessKey, Map<String, String> properties, Map<String, Object>
variables
);

[gdharley]

Feel free to open an Jira and even better, provide a pull request with the implementation you are looking for.

Can't guarantee the feature will get into the code, but a pull request is you best opportunity.

Greg

‌