Using the WebFOCUS Schedule Task Type to Schedule Other Schedules

In this section:

How to:

You can use the WebFOCUS Schedule task type to configure a schedule to initiate one or more separate schedules. On the Advanced Scheduling ribbon, in the Show group, click the Tasks tab, and then click the drop-down arrow on the New button to access the WebFOCUS Schedule task type, as shown in the following image.

The Tasks tab in the Advanced Scheduling tool. The drop-down arrow menu for the New button is shown.

Click WebFOCUS Schedule to display the WebFOCUS Schedule Task dialog box, as shown in the following image.

The WebFOCUS Schedule task dialog box.

Note: In order to use the WebFOCUS Schedule task type, you must be authorized to schedule other schedules. For more information, see the WebFOCUS Security and Administration technical content.

The WebFOCUS Schedule Task dialog box includes the following options:

Note:

WebFOCUS Schedule tasks that distribute schedules create log reports of the task. These log reports are distributed in HTML format. For each distributed schedule, the job log records the job submission, job name, and a link to the job log. A sample log is shown in the following image.

An image showing a log created by a schedule that uses a WebFOCUS Schedule task

Running Mode Options for WebFOCUS Schedule Tasks

You can use one of two Running Mode options in a WebFOCUS Schedule task. You can set WebFOCUS Schedule tasks to run immediately before other schedules in the distribution server queue, or run independent of other schedules in the Distribution Server queue

For example, if you select the Run immediately and wait for this job to finish running mode, and your schedule is set to call two subsequent schedules, both schedules will run consecutively. Conversely, if you select the Add this job to the queue running mode, both schedules will run concurrently.

Overriding Parameter Values Used For Called Schedules

After assigning the file path of a schedule to the Schedule Pathname field, click the Parameters tab to display the parameters tool for the WebFOCUS Schedule task.

On this tab, you have the option to override the parameters used by the called schedule. For example, if the called schedule uses a parameter named COUNTRY, with a chosen parameter value of ENGLAND, you can override that same parameter in the calling schedule to use the parameter value FRANCE instead.

Note: The called schedule uses the new parameter value only when the calling schedule runs. Otherwise, the original parameter value stored in the called schedule is applied.

To override an existing parameter, click the New button to open the Task Parameter dialog box. In the Name field, type the name of a parameter that exists in the called schedule. In the Value field, type the new parameter value that you want the called schedule to use. Click OK to add the updated parameter to the WebFOCUS Schedule task.

When the calling schedule runs, the called schedule distributes a report that utilizes the updated parameter value.

Procedure: How to Create a WebFOCUS Schedule Task in the Advanced Scheduling Tool

Note: In order to use the WebFOCUS Schedule task type, you must be authorized to schedule other schedules. For more information, see the WebFOCUS Security and Administration technical content.

  1. Open the Advanced Scheduling tool. For more information, see Creating a ReportCaster Schedule in the Advanced Scheduling Tool.
  2. Click the Tasks tab.
  3. In the Manage Tasks group, click the New drop-down arrow button, and then click WebFOCUS Schedule.

    The WebFOCUS Schedule Task dialog box opens, as shown in the following image.

    The WebFOCUS Schedule task dialog box.
  4. Specify the path of the schedule that you want to add to the task, or click Browse to navigate to the location of the schedule, on your system or in the Repository.
  5. Choose the priority for the called schedule. Priority value 1 is the highest priority and 5 is the lowest priority.
  6. Select the running mode of the called schedule:
    • Run immediately and wait for this job to finish. Schedules the called schedule to run immediately. The calling schedule waits until the called schedule completes before running the next task. Optionally, select the following check boxes:
      • If this task fails repeat every. If this check box is selected, when the called schedule encounters an error, the calling schedule will attempt to rerun the called schedule every specified number of seconds, minutes, or hours for the number of times that you define.
      • Do not continue with the schedule if this task is unsuccessful. Select this check box to make the calling schedule stop running if the called schedule encounters an error.
    • Add this job to the queue. Schedules the called schedule to run independent of any other schedules in the Distribution Server queue. The calling schedule does not wait until the called schedule completes before running the next task.
  7. Optionally, click the Parameters tab to override existing parameters used by the called schedule. For more information, see Overriding Parameter Values Used For Called Schedules.
  8. If you want to disable the task, clear the Enabled check box. This option is selected by default.
  9. Click OK.

    The task now appears in the list of tasks in the schedule.

  10. To add another WebFOCUS Schedule task, repeat steps 3 through 9.

    Once you finish creating your tasks, you can modify the Properties, Recurrences, Distributions, and Notifications for the schedule. For more information, see Creating a Schedule in the Advanced Scheduling Tool.

    Note: If the Advanced Schedule contains only WebFOCUS Schedule tasks, a distribution method must still be selected before you can save the schedule.

  11. To save the schedule, on the ribbon, in the Actions group, click Save & Close.