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Change Process ID, BPMN2 elements ID [message #1729502]

Thu, 14 April 2016 14:45

Eclipse User

Hi,

is it possible to change the process id or the BPMN2 elements id attribute in bpmn2-modeler mars 1.2.4?
(switched on Preferences / BPMN2 / Editor / Behavior / Show ID attribute for BPMN2 Elements)

Thanks in advance!

Re: Change Process ID, BPMN2 elements ID [message #1729556 is a reply to message #1729502]

Fri, 15 April 2016 09:07

Eclipse User

Changing the ID of BPMN2 elements is NOT a good idea since this could corrupt the model. IDs are used to resolve object references during loading; if you change an ID, all references to that object can no longer be resolved the next time the model is loaded. There is also the possibility of ID collisions - two or more objects with the same ID.

May I ask why you want to do this? Can you provide a valid use case for this functionality?

Re: Change Process ID, BPMN2 elements ID [message #1729605 is a reply to message #1729556]

Fri, 15 April 2016 16:10

Eclipse User

We are referencing process and bpmn2 element IDs from outside the process definition, and working with given, meaningfull IDs would be easier.
That's why instead of auto generated IDs we would prefer setting them on creation of elements.
Thanks!

Re: Change Process ID, BPMN2 elements ID [message #1729973 is a reply to message #1729605]

Wed, 20 April 2016 11:48

Eclipse User

Still, it's a bad ad idea to allow users to change object IDs because of the reasons I already mentioned. So far there is no provision in the graphical editor to set the object IDs, but if it helps you can display them by setting the "Show ID attribute for BPMN2 Elements" checkbox in User Preferences->BPMN2->Editor->Behavior.

You can still use an XML editor to change these IDs, but be sure to change any references to them as well.

[Updated on: Wed, 20 April 2016 11:48] by Moderator

Re: Change Process ID, BPMN2 elements ID [message #1730398 is a reply to message #1729973]

Mon, 25 April 2016 08:54

Eclipse User

Thanks for your answer, Robert! Yes, we've done "the trick" with an XML editor, and changed the IDs consistently. Yes, its risky. But as I mentioned above, working with auto generated IDs "UserTask_1, ..." in our application configuration is sticky as well. The modeler could make it safer, eg. enable setting them by the user when creating new elements. We found other tools, and some of them has this feature, but lack in others, so the Eclipse BPMN Modeler is the best tool for us so far.

Re: Change Process ID, BPMN2 elements ID [message #1730400 is a reply to message #1730398]

Mon, 25 April 2016 09:11

Eclipse User

I suppose the editor could provide an edit button for the ID field (only visible if you select the "Show ID attribute" preference.) This would ensure that the new ID does not collide with any other IDs. Please file an enhancement request here: https://bugs.eclipse.org/bugs/enter_bug.cgi?product=BPMN2Modeler and set the version to 1.3.0 - we will target this enhancement for version 1.3.0-M1 scheduled for end of April.

Re: Change Process ID, BPMN2 elements ID [message #1730715 is a reply to message #1730400]

Wed, 27 April 2016 19:00

Eclipse User

Thank you, Robert! Filled the enhancement request: 492614

Re: Change Process ID, BPMN2 elements ID [message #1731269 is a reply to message #1730715]

Wed, 04 May 2016 01:19

Eclipse User

1.3.0-M1 build is now available. This has the ID editing feature.

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