Patent ID: 9141345
Filing Date: 2015-09-22
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for defining a workflow visually, the method comprising: displaying a design surface for visually defining a workflow; receiving a sequence of non-control flow steps from a workflow author that define a workflow; identifying a control flow element that the author has added to the design surface, wherein a control flow element refers to a class of workflow controls that change a normal sequential flow of a workflow; receiving a position and a size associated with the identified control flow element; identifying one or more of the received non-control flow workflow steps that are visually surrounded by the identified control flow element based on the received position and size; determining whether the position or size of the identified control flow element has changed; in response to determining that the position or size of the identified control flow element has changed, identifying a new sequence of the received non-control flow steps that are visually surrounded by the identified control flow element based on the changed position or size, such that control flow of a workflow is not visually displayed within the sequence of non-control flow steps and can be edited without editing the non-control flow steps; and storing the workflow to a data store, wherein the preceding steps are performed by at least one processor.