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Version: OpCon 23.0 (On-Prem)

Defining Named Schedule Instances

A multi-instance schedule may be associated with one or more instance name(s) and each named schedule instance can then be associated with schedule instance properties and exceptions. For conceptual information on named schedule instances and exception rule use cases, refer to Named Schedule Instances in the Concepts online help.

To define a named schedule instance:

Double-click on Schedule Master under the Administration topic. The Schedule Master screen displays.

Select the schedule in the Schedule Selection drop-down list.

Click on the Schedule tab in the Schedule Details frame.

Select the Multi-Instance checkbox in the Schedule Properties frame.

Click on the Instance Definition tab in the Schedule Details frame.

Select the Named Instance radio button.

Click the Add button in the Instances frame. The Select Instance dialog displays.

Do the following:

a. Click the Add New Schedule Instance. b. Enter the instance name. c. Click the OK button to save new instance name or click the Cancel button to cancel the operation.

OR

Select an existing instance name from the Instance drop-down list. Alternatively, you can use the Find ((Ctrl+F) magnifying glass) button to find an instance name.

Click the OK button to save or click the Cancel button to cancel the operation.

Define Properties

Associate schedule instance properties.

  1. Enter a property name in the Property Name field
  2. Enter an associated property value in the Property Value field.
  3. Click the Add button.

Define Exceptions

Add exception rules to apply to an associated job pattern. These exceptions are applied during the schedule build.

note

Keep in mind that only those in the ocadm role will be able to define exceptions.

In the Instance Details frame>Exceptions tab>:

Click the Add button in the Job Patterns frame. The Job Pattern dialog displays.

Enter the job pattern in the field. Wildcards (*) are supported in this field.

note

Exceptions are applied to all jobs in the schedule instance that match the specified job pattern. If only the asterisk wildcard character (*) is specified in the pattern, then the exceptions will be applied to all jobs.

Click the OK button to save the job pattern definition or click the Cancel button to cancel the job pattern definition.

Click the Add button in the Exception Rules frame. The Add Exception Rule dialog displays.

note

For the fields supporting tokens, use the Global Property Selector by pressing the Ctrl+T keyboard shortcut to access global properties and named instance properties easily. You may also type a token manually.] [For more information on tokens, refer to Tokens in the Concepts online help].

In the Job Field:

Select the job field to modify.

note

Fields that do not allow exceptions will be handled during schedule build time.

In the To Replace field:

note

Steps 18 - 20 will apply to all predefined job fields, except Job Build Status. For Job Build Status, you need only select one of the following replacement values from the New Value drop-down list:

  • Cancelled
  • Disable Build
  • On Hold
  • Release
  • To Be Skipped

Then, proceed to Step 21.

Provide the existing string to replace (or leave this blank to replace everything) in the job field.

When defining the string, bear in mind the following:

  • The value may be:
    • an empty string ("")
    • a fixed string ("abc")
    • a string with instance properties ([[$this.Property]]) - The value may not be a property expression.
  • [[\@name]] is a case-sensitive token that can be used to refer to the current instance name.
  • [[\@current]] is a case-sensitive token that can be used to refer to the current value of the job field.
  • $this may be used as a placeholder for the instance property named in the instance definition. This placeholder is case-sensitive. In the New Value field:

Provide a replacement value for the string.

When defining the new value, bear in mind the following:

  • The value may be:
    • a fixed string ("abc")
    • a string with instance properties ([[$this.Property]]) - a property expression ([[\@current]] + ToOaTime("02:00"))

Click the Is Expression checkbox if the new value provided is a property expression.

Examples

Scenario #1: A command line string value needs to be changed from "C:\MyFolder\MyApp.exe -arg1 firstArg -arg2 secondArg" to "C:\MyFolder\MyApp.exe -arg1 firstArg -arg2 secondArg -arg3 thirdArg". The exception rule definition would be:

Job Field: (Windows) Command Line To Replace: C:\MyFolder\MyApp.exe -arg1 firstArg -arg2 secondArg New Value: C:\MyFolder\MyApp.exe -arg1 firstArg -arg2 secondArg -arg3 thirdArg Is Expression: false

Scenario #2: The machine needs to be changed from "MyMachine" to "My<Property>Machine". The exception rule definition would be:

Job Field: Primary Machine To Replace: MyMachine New Value: My[[$this.Property]]Machine Is Expression: false

Scenario #3: The department needs to be changed from "<CurrentValue>" to "<CurrentValue><InstanceName>". The exception rule definition would be:

Job Field: Department To Replace: New Value: [[@current]][[@name]] Is Expression: false

Scenario #4: The job start offset needs to be changed from "<CurrentValue>" by adding 10 minutes to it. In this scenario, the use of an expression is ideal for changing numeric fields. The exception rule definition would be:

Job Field: Start Offset To Replace: New Value: [[@current]] + ToOaTime("00:10") Is Expression: true

Click OK button to save the exception rule definition or click the Cancel button to cancel exception rule definition.

Repeat Steps 7 - 21 to define additional named instances.

Click Green circle with white checkmark inside Save on the Schedule Master toolbar to save the named schedule instance definition(s).

Click Close ☒ (to the right of the Schedule Master tab) to close the Schedule Master screen.