Start Points

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Start Points

Often the start is the first shape in the first swimlane, although any shape or activity can be a start point. A process can have multiple start points. Shapes with start points display a start indicator.

Every process must have a least one start point. If you delete the default start point, you must define a new one.

When you introduce transactions using the current shape, you create and introduce transactions into the activity when the specified condition is triggered. For example, By Expression option generates a transaction at this activity when the specified expression results to true.

In some instances you would not assign a generator to a start point. For example, a subprocess that is called by a parent process and receives transactions from the parent process does not need a generator at the start point of the subprocess (see Add hierarchy or concurrence to a task.)

Task	Procedure
Define a start point using a generator	Double-click the activity that represents the start and click the Inputs page on the Properties dialog box. Choose Using a Start Point from the Introduce Transactions drop-down list. Expand the Start Point Name list to view a list of start points already defined to choose a name, or type a new start point. If you choose a name already in use, the activity labeled with that start point is no longer defined to be a start point. Click the button and use the Generators dialog box to set up the generator. For more information, see Generators Procedures.
Generate transactions using the shape	This method specifies correct BPMN simulation behavior of a Start event or Start Event-based Gateway. Double-click the activity that represents the start and click the Inputs page on the Properties dialog box. Or click Outputs, Normal tab, and choose Available for a Start Event-based Gateway. Choose Generate Here from the Introduce Transactions drop-down list on the Inputs page. If you are using a Start Event-based Gateway, check the Generate Here box on the Outputs page Normal tab; the transaction will be generated when the following event is triggered. If you are using a Start Event, choose an option from the Create Transactions At Input drop-down list and click OK. Dialog box options change when you specify a different trigger for creating transactions. By Expression: A condition must evaluate to true to trigger creation of a transaction by expression. By Time: An event (such as every Monday) or a period of time (such as every 20 minutes) can trigger creation of a transaction by time. By Message: A message received by the current shape can trigger creation of a transaction by message. The transaction that sent the message and the new transaction created are forever correlated together, but not of the same family. By Signal: A signal received by the current shape can trigger creation of a transaction by signal. Like message, the transactions are correlated to each other. Multiple: Multiple starting events may be required. Click the Edit button, and set the combination of events, either requiring all or any one of the events to occur. You cannot collect transactions at input when you choose to introduce transactions on the activity.
Locate a start point by a name	On the Model menu, choose Find Start. In the Find Start Point dialog box, select the name of the starting point that you are verifying and click OK.

Task

Procedure

Define a start point using a generator

Double-click the activity that represents the start and click the Inputs page on the Properties dialog box.
Choose Using a Start Point from the Introduce Transactions drop-down list.
Expand the Start Point Name list to view a list of start points already defined to choose a name, or type a new start point. If you choose a name already in use, the activity labeled with that start point is no longer defined to be a start point.
Click the button and use the Generators dialog box to set up the generator. For more information, see Generators Procedures.

Generate transactions using the shape

This method specifies correct BPMN simulation behavior of a Start event or Start Event-based Gateway.

Double-click the activity that represents the start and click the Inputs page on the Properties dialog box. Or click Outputs, Normal tab, and choose Available for a Start Event-based Gateway.
Choose Generate Here from the Introduce Transactions drop-down list on the Inputs page. If you are using a Start Event-based Gateway, check the Generate Here box on the Outputs page Normal tab; the transaction will be generated when the following event is triggered.
If you are using a Start Event, choose an option from the Create Transactions At Input drop-down list and click OK.

Dialog box options change when you specify a different trigger for creating transactions.

By Expression: A condition must evaluate to true to trigger creation of a transaction by expression.
By Time: An event (such as every Monday) or a period of time (such as every 20 minutes) can trigger creation of a transaction by time.
By Message: A message received by the current shape can trigger creation of a transaction by message. The transaction that sent the message and the new transaction created are forever correlated together, but not of the same family.
By Signal: A signal received by the current shape can trigger creation of a transaction by signal. Like message, the transactions are correlated to each other.
Multiple: Multiple starting events may be required. Click the Edit button, and set the combination of events, either requiring all or any one of the events to occur.

You cannot collect transactions at input when you choose to introduce transactions on the activity.

Locate a start point by a name

On the Model menu, choose Find Start.
In the Find Start Point dialog box, select the name of the starting point that you are verifying and click OK.