an automatic layout algorithm for bpel processes
The Business Process Execution Language (BPEL) is the standard execution language for business workflows. BPEL is an XML-based, verbose and complex language, consisting of block- and graph-oriented control structures, which makes it hard to generate intuitive visualizations. Although many tools enable the visualization of workflows before the transformation into executable systems, notations and style criteria for the visualization and layout of workflows are not standardized, so it is very hard to compare different tools. Often, the construction of a layout for a possibly complex workflow is left to the user or the result is visually unsatisfying. We present a novel algorithm for the layout of complex BPEL workflows, which uses the principles of the algorithm by Sugiyama and takes into account BPEL specifics, e.g. nested structures, parallel paths and several distinct types of elements. The BPEL specifics represent challenges to the layout algorithm and are not completely fulfilled by any other layout approach for BPEL.
layout algorithm workflow visualization