Run Till this Activity

Run Till This Activity is a workflow execution option that allows users to execute a workflow from the beginning up to a selected activity. This feature supports efficient development, testing, and debugging by enabling users to validate a specific section of a workflow without executing activities that follow the selected point.

How It Works

When a user selects an activity and triggers the Run Till This Activity option, the workflow executes sequentially from the beginning and stops after completing the selected activity. Activities that follow the selected activity are not executed.

a. The Run Till This Activity option is available only for activities that are connected to a node within the workflow.
b. Activities that are not connected to any node will not have this option enabled and cannot be used with this feature.

During execution, the Debug Watcher panel automatically opens and displays the variables, arguments, and properties associated with the currently executing activity.

Debug Watcher

The Debug Watcher is a dedicated debugging panel in Robility Designer that provides real-time visibility into the internal state of a workflow during a Run Till This Activity session. It allows users to monitor variables, arguments, and the properties of the selected activity while the workflow executes up to the specified activity.

Sections in Debug Watcher

1. Variables – Displays all variables defined in the workflow along with their current runtime values during execution.

Each entry includes:
a. Variable Name – The name of the variable.
b. Variable Type – The data type of the variable, such as Boolean, String, or Int32.
c. Scope – Indicates the scope within which the variable is available.
d. Value – The current runtime value of the variable.

2. Arguments – Displays all arguments passed into or out of the workflow during execution.

Each entry includes:
a. Argument Name – The name of the argument.
b. Argument Type – The data type of the argument.
c. Direction – Indicates whether the argument is used as an input, output, or input/output argument.
d. Value – The current runtime value of the argument.

 3. Properties of the Selected Activity – The Properties panel displays the properties of the activity for which the Run Till This Activity option is selected.

Each entry includes:
a. Property Name – The name of the property.
b. Property Type – Indicates whether the property is an input (InArgument) or output (OutArgument) and displays its data type.
c. Value – The current value assigned to the property.

4. Immediate – Allows users to evaluate variables, expressions, or properties during the debug session and retrieve the output for the required value. This helps users quickly verify values and troubleshoot workflow logic without modifying the workflow.

For example, users can enter a variable or expression in the Immediate panel to view its current runtime value.

Execution Behavior

When Run Till This Activity is triggered, the workflow executes sequentially from the beginning and stops at the selected activity.

1. Activities before the selected activity are executed normally.
2. Once execution reaches the selected activity, the workflow is paused at that activity.
3. The selected activity is highlighted in yellow to indicate the current execution point.
4. The Debug Watcher displays the runtime information available at this point, including variables, arguments, and the properties of the selected activity in the Debug Watcher side panel.
5. Once the activity is reached successfully, execution remains paused at the selected activity.
6. After reviewing and debugging the selected activity, you can stop the workflow to end the debug session.

Visual Indicators

During execution, Robility Designer provides visual feedback to help track workflow progress.

Yellow – Indicates the selected activity where the workflow is paused after successful execution of the preceding activities.

The yellow highlighting clearly identifies the selected execution point and indicates where the workflow has been paused.

Key Benefits

1. Saves Time: Eliminates the need to execute activities beyond the selected point when validating a specific section of the workflow.
2. Improves Debugging: Allows developers to inspect the workflow state at a specific activity.
3. Enhances Development Efficiency: Simplifies testing and validation without executing unnecessary downstream activities.
4. Targeted Validation: Enables developers to verify variables, arguments, and activity properties at the selected execution point.