Process instances

Each time a process is initiated, the LiveCycle ES server executes the process version with the highest version number that is activated for that process. Each execution of a process version is called a process instance. Process instances have a unique identification and have their own process data associated with them.

For example, a process creates a credit card statement by retrieving information from a database, merging it with a form, and printing the statement to be mailed to a customer. The process is initiated monthly for each customer. Each time the process is initiated, a new process instance is created. The process data includes the information that is retrieved from the database, which is different for each customer.

Process version modifications

When you make changes to an activated process version, the changes affect all process instances that are associated with it.

For example, you initiate several processes in the development environment to test the process version you are creating. You then make a change to the properties of an operation on the process diagram. When you save the changes, they affect all process instances that have not yet progressed past that operation.

New process versions

Process instances continue to execute against the same process version even when newer process versions are activated. For example, you create a process version and activate it, and it is used for a period of time in the production environment. The business process changes and therefore you need to change the process accordingly. You create and activate a new process version, keeping the previous version intact:

New process instances are created by executing the new process version.
Process instances that already existed before the new version was activated continue to execute against the older process version.

You can create multiple process versions for the same process. With multiple versions, you can change the design of the process, keeping the previous design intact. You can also make changes to a process version that is active.

Process instances

Process version modifications

New process versions

See also