Installing Workflow Extensions tools

This topic describes how to install the following tools: Workflow Extensions, Layout Designer, and the Notification Agent.

Extensions installation strategies

Files from StarTeam Extensions need to be installed and then checked in to the StarFlow Extensions project in each server configuration that uses alternate property editors (APEs) and workflows. If the StarTeam Server configuration does not already have a StarFlow Extensions project, you need to add one and all users need to have read access to the files in it. Administrators can have read/write access.

The default installation folder is C:\Program Files\Micro Focus\StarFlow Extensions, but we recommend copying the runtime files to a different folder for each server configuration. For example, you might use C:\config_name\StarFlow Extensions. In this way, you can ensure that each configuration’s StarFlow Extensions project has different working folders.

Even if you currently run only one server configuration, it is wise to plan ahead. This also ensures that, when you upgrade or reinstall for some other reason, you are unlikely to overwrite any StarTeam Extensions files that you are using.

Note: If you are using the default installation folder for any server configuration’s StarFlow Extensions project, we recommend that you check in everything you need that is not current prior to reinstalling or upgrading StarTeam Extensions files.

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Installing Extensions

To install Extensions on Linux or systems that support Java, extract Extensions-14.0-LINUX.tar.gz or Extensions-14.0-UNIUX.tar.gz.

To install Extensions on Windows:

  1. Run the downloaded installer.
  2. On the Introduction page, read the information, and click Next.
  3. On the License Agreement page, read the agreement. If you agree with the license agreement, click I accept.... If you do not accept the license agreement, you cannot install the product.

  4. On the Choose Install Folder page, browse for the location to be used as the installation folder.

    The default Installation location is C:\Program Files\Micro Focus\StarFlow Extensions.

  5. Click Next.

  6. On the Choose Install Set page, choose the desired options:

    Runtime Installs the files that are critical to each server configuration that uses workflow, APE forms, and/or custom tools. The Runtime should be installed on the same computer as the StarTeam Server. The Runtime consists of the StarFlow Extensions folder and two subfolders:
    • The Client folder contains the files that are normally installed with one or more of the clients as well as with StarTeam Extensions. If a user is having problems with an APE, give that user the latest files from the Client folder in the StarFlow Extensions project. It may solve the problem. starteam-extensions.jar provides the Locator functionality (the retrieving of workflow and APE files) in conjunction with Locator.exe. The starteamextensions.jar file is installed with both the StarTeam Cross-Platform Client and the Microsoft Visual Studio integration. The Locator files are installed only with the Microsoft Visual Studio integration.
    • The Projects folder contains a variety of .jar, .xml, and .dll files used by StarTeam Extensions.

    Although the Runtime includes a custom toolbar that can be used with the StarTeam Cross-Platform Client, if you will be writing applications for the toolbar or adding buttons to the toolbar, you should seek assistance from Micro Focus Technical Support.

    Samples

    The Samples can be installed on any computer for your convenience. You do not need to copy these to each server configuration’s StarFlow Extensions folder, nor do you need to check them in.

    If you decide to use some of the sample APE forms, as they are or after some modification, you would copy the item_type.Workflow.xml, name.propertyeditor.xml, and name.jar files to a server configuration’s StarFlow Extensions\Projects folder or an appropriate subfolder of the Projects folder. Then you would check these files in to the StarFlow Extensions project. item_type is a type of StarTeam item such as ChangeRequest or Requirement.

    If you decide to use some of the sample tools, as they are or after some modification, you must also copy the name.tool.xml and the name.jar files to the Projects folder. See the Workflow Extensions Guide for more information.

    API Documentation Adds the Documentation subfolder to the installation folder. The Documentation can be installed on any computer for your convenience. You do not need to copy this folder to each server configuration’s StarFlow Extensions folder, nor do you need to check its files in. These online documents (.html files) explain the APIs for the APEs and the custom toolbar.
  7. Click Next.
  8. On the Choose Shortcut Folder page, use the default settings.
    Keep the Other option button set to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Micro Focus\StarTeam Extensions.
  9. Click Next.
  10. On the Pre-installation Summary page, review the settings and click Previous one or more times if you want to change the installation options. Then return to the Pre-installation Summary page, and click Next or Install.
  11. On the Install Complete page, click Done.
    After installing Extensions Runtime:
    • Copy the StarFlow Extensions folder and its subfolders (Client, Projects, and Utilities) to a unique location for each server configuration.
    • Use the StarFlow Extensions folder (in its new location) as the root folder for the StarFlow Extensions project that you create for each server configuration.
    • Add the files in these folders to the StarFlow Extensions project, except for PDFs and readmes.

    If you are already using StarTeam Extensions, check in these files as new revisions of existing files and add any new files.

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Installing Workflow Designer

You must use Workflow Designer to develop custom workflows. Workflow Designer outputs .xml files that formalize the steps in a workflow, specifies who will be notified about each step and about exceptions, and so on. Each file is named item_type.Workflow.xml and can be used for an entire project or individual views within that project. item_type is a type of StarTeam item such as Change Request or Requirement. The StarTeam Extensions workflow engine and StarTeam Notification Agent read from these files.

Workflow Designer can be installed separately on any workstation.

To install Workflow Designer on Microsoft Windows:

  1. Run the downloaded installer.
    To install on Linux, extract the downloaded tar.gz file.
  2. On the Introduction page, read the information, and click Next.
  3. On the License Agreement page, read the agreement. If you agree with the license agreement, click I accept.... If you do not accept the license agreement, you cannot install the product.
  4. On the Choose Install Folder page, browse for the location to be used as the installation folder.
    The default is C:\Program Files\Micro Focus\StarTeam Workflow Designer.
  5. On the Choose Shortcut Folder page, use the default settings.
    Keep the Other option button set to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Micro Focus\StarTeam Workflow Designer).
  6. On the Pre-installation Summary page, review the settings and click Previous one or more times if you want to change the installation options. Then return to the Pre-installation Summary page, and click Next or Install.
  7. On the Install Complete page, click Done.

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Installing the Notification Agent

The Notification Agent monitors server configurations to determine who needs to be notified about work to be performed and about exceptions that occur in the workflow process.

You must install and configure Notification Agent separately. It is usually installed on the computer that runs the StarTeam Server, but can be installed anywhere. When Notification Agent is not on the same computer as the Server, the two computers clocks must be synchronized. Notification Agent’s time cannot be ahead of the Server’s time. When both are installed on the same computer and run as services, Notification Agent must be run as a dependent service and be shut down first. See Running Notification Agent as a Service in the Workflow Extensions User's Guide for more information.

To install the Notification Agent on Microsoft Windows:

  1. Run the downloaded installer.
  2. On the Introduction page, read the information, and click Next.
  3. On the License Agreement page, read the agreement. If you agree with the license agreement, click I accept.... If you do not accept the license agreement, you cannot install the product.
  4. On the Choose Install Folder page, browse for the location to be used as the installation folder.
    The default is C:\Program Files\Micro Focus\StarTeam Notification Agent.
  5. On the Choose Shortcut Folder page, use the default settings.
    Keep the Other option button set to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Micro Focus\StarTeam Notification Agent).
  6. On the Pre-installation Summary page, review the settings and click Previous one or more times if you want to change the installation options. Then return to the Pre-installation Summary page, and click Next or Install.
  7. On the Install Complete page, click Done.

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