Start Events

A process interface must have one or more start events (one is automatically created by default) that specify how a process instance is initiated.

When more than one start event is specified, a process implementing the interface can be invoked by any of the start events specified in the interface. As per BPMN, multiple separate start events are considered exclusive (each starts a new process instance).

The start event for a process interface can be of type None or Message:

  • A maximum of one start event of type None can be specified. Use this type of start event for invoking a sub-process using a call sub-process activity or when a sub-process is meant to be manually invoked. See Dynamic Sub-Processes.
  • Use message start events for the invocation of the process using a message based interface (for example, a web service operation).
  • A start event for a process interface can be associated with mandatory formal parameters using the Interface tab. For example:

    If a process instance is invoked using this start event, the parameter FP1 must be specified.

    Both input and output (including combined in/out) parameters can be associated with the event. Specifying output parameters means that these are the parameters should be returned when the process is invoked using this start event.