Usage > Batch server > Recurring task management 

Use this function to define recurring tasks that are launched regularly by the batch server. These recurring tasks are run based on a defined schedule. This includes batch tasks or linked batch tasks. You can define all or part of the settings linked to the task execution rules such the current period and frequency.

For Accounting batch tasks

If the MULBATCH – Multi-instance batch task parameter (CPT chapter, ACC group) is set to Yes, you can create one accounting task per line in the Accounting task function (GESBTC). Each task is linked to a unique recurring task linked to the correct folder. For each task, you can define the Periodicity and Time range.

If the MULBATCH – Multi-instance batch task parameter (CPT chapter, ACC group) is set to No, there is only one accounting task. You cannot modify the Periodicity and Time range. Your only option is to enter the No. of records.

You cannot change the Active status of an accounting recurring task in this function. This can only be done in the Journal status monitor function (VALPCE).

Prerequisites

SEEREFERTTO Refer to documentation Implementation

Screen management

Entry screen

Presentation

Here are entered both the launch conditions (identification of the folder and the user under whose identification the recurring task is launched) and the concerned times.

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Fields

The following fields are present on this tab :

Block number 1

It identifies the recurring task code.

  • Description (field NOMABT)

Title associated to the previous code.

Characteristics

It defines the name of the folder in which the request will be launched (the current folder code is proposed by default).

It defines the code of the user under whose identity the task will be launched (the code of the current user is proposed by default).

  • Password (field PASSE)

When the folder or task to be executed is not the current one, or if the user does not correspond to the current user code, it is necessary to enter the corresponding password in order to identify oneself.

It defines a group of tasks to be launched.

It defines the code of the task that will be launched automatically by the batch server.

 

Block number 3

  • Active (field ENAFLG)

Select this check box to activate the current record.

Disabled records keep their content and setup but cannot be used (by recalling their code) on other records (documents, settings ...), or for mass processes.

The authorizations to a given function can prohibit the creation of an active record. In this case, the check box is disabled by default. It can only be modified by an authorized user or through a signature Workflow.

  • Last execution (field DJOUR)

When the recurring task has already generated task executions, this field makes it possible to know the last execution date.

Periodicity

  • Periodicity (field PERIO)

This field defines the task execution frequency.

If the period is monthly, it is possible to indicate one day of the month (date in the month ranging between 1 and 31) and/or check the end of month box. If the period is weekly, it is necessary to check one or more days of the week.

Enter a calendar code to exclude specific days from the execution of recurring tasks.

Weekly

  • field JOUR

Select the day or days of the week to run a task the same day or days each week.

Select this check box to activate the current record.

The data and setup of disabled records is kept, but they cannot be used on other records (documents, settings, etc.) or for mass processing by recalling the record code.

Authorizations granted for a given function can prohibit the creation of an active record. In this case, this check box is deactivated by default. It can only be modified by an authorized user or using a signature Workflow.

For accounting batch tasks, you cannot change the active status of a recurring task from this function. To do so, you must use the Journal status monitor function (VALPCE).

Monthly

  • Days of the month (field QUANT)

If you selected Monthly, you can indicate one day of the month, ranging between 1 and 31, and/or select the Month end check box.

Select this check box to activate the current record.

The data and setup of disabled records is kept, but they cannot be used on other records (documents, settings, etc.) or for mass processing by recalling the record code.

Authorizations granted for a given function can prohibit the creation of an active record. In this case, this check box is deactivated by default. It can only be modified by an authorized user or using a signature Workflow.

For accounting batch tasks, you cannot change the active status of a recurring task from this function. To do so, you must use the Journal status monitor function (VALPCE).

  • Month end (field FDM)

If you selected Monthly, select this check box to run the task on the last day of each month unless the date is excluded by the calendar code.

Select this check box to activate the current record.

The data and setup of disabled records is kept, but they cannot be used on other records (documents, settings, etc.) or for mass processing by recalling the record code.

Authorizations granted for a given function can prohibit the creation of an active record. In this case, this check box is deactivated by default. It can only be modified by an authorized user or using a signature Workflow.

For accounting batch tasks, you cannot change the active status of a recurring task from this function. To do so, you must use the Journal status monitor function (VALPCE).

Time range

  • Start time (field HDEB)

Enter start and end times to limit running the task to between that time range.

Select this check box to activate the current record.

The data and setup of disabled records is kept, but they cannot be used on other records (documents, settings, etc.) or for mass processing by recalling the record code.

Authorizations granted for a given function can prohibit the creation of an active record. In this case, this check box is deactivated by default. It can only be modified by an authorized user or using a signature Workflow.

For accounting batch tasks, you cannot change the active status of a recurring task from this function. To do so, you must use the Journal status monitor function (VALPCE).

  • End time (field HFIN)

 

  • Frequency (min) (field FRQ)

Enter the number of minutes between multiple iterations of a task. For example, if the first run does not process all the No. of records set, the task runs again after the number of minutes entered here.

Select this check box to activate the current record.

The data and setup of disabled records is kept, but they cannot be used on other records (documents, settings, etc.) or for mass processing by recalling the record code.

Authorizations granted for a given function can prohibit the creation of an active record. In this case, this check box is deactivated by default. It can only be modified by an authorized user or using a signature Workflow.

For accounting batch tasks, you cannot change the active status of a recurring task from this function. To do so, you must use the Journal status monitor function (VALPCE).

  • One single query (field ONE)

This box can be checked if the recurring task is frequency defined.

If it is checked, a single request is launched every day in order to execute the requested process, and as soon as the process is completed, the task is put on hold for the number of minutes defined by the frequency, then the execution is resumed until the end time is exceeded. The request is then displayed in the In process report for the whole execution interval.

This ensures that the request is always stored in the memory once it will have been launched, which can be detrimental to other tasks if the maximum number of tasks launched simultaneously has been reached.

  • Purge (field EPUR)

This check box can only be selected for a recurring task with a defined frequency. In this case, no record of the successive executions of the task is kept in the request management function. Only the request in progress and the previous one are kept in the corresponding table.

  • Proceed if error (field CNTERR)

If this check box is selected, a recurring task is launched again even if there is an error.
Errors that can interrupt a task:
- GOK variable different from 1: This usually indicates that there is an update transaction error in the database update.
- GERRBATCH variable less than 100: This variable can be set in the process that executes the task.
- GERREUR variable different than 0: In some processes, this variable is set in an error management sub-program generated by the Onerrgo instruction.

 

Fixed hours

  • Time (field HEURE)

In case of a not frequency defined task, it is possible to launch this task at three different times in one day, as mentioned here.

  • Forced execution (field FORCE)

This check box can only be selected if fixed execution times are indicated for a recurring task. It ensures that the execution request is created, even if if the time is exceeded at the moment when the batch server processes the recurring tasks for the day.

For instance, if a task is planned for 07:00, 10:00 and 15:00, but the batch server starts in the morning at 08:00:

  • If selected, 3 execution requests are created (at 07:00, 10:00 and 15:00). The execution request starting at 07:00 will be executed or not depending on the server parameters (it is possible to specify a maximum execution delay in the server parameters). In any case, a line will have been planned for 07:00.
  • If not selected, only the two execution requests later than the current time will be created.

Grid Relative date

  • Date field (field DATZON)

Used to enter the screen zone name to initialize.
It is possible to specify the screen abbreviation if the task's parameter entry box uses several screens.

  • Base date (field DATDEP)

Used to enter the reference date for the calculation.

  • Increment (field DATNBR)

Number to add to (or withdraw from) the reference date.
This number corresponds to the chosen unit (day, week, month)

  • Time unit (field DATJRS)

Time unit

  • Formula (field DATFRM)

Used to enter a formula that will be applied in the parameter entry environment of the batch task reccuring journal entry: open tables, global variables, user variables, etc...

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Specific Buttons

This action opens the parameters for the task. When a group of tasks is launched, an intermediate window opens where you can choose the task and its settings.

Menu Bar

Options / Restart

Select this option to restart the recurring task if the times defined include the current time, and if the task is not already running.

Error messages

The only error messages are the generic ones.

Tables used

SEEREFERTTO Refer to documentation Implementation

Technical operation of the recurring tasks

When starting the batch server (or after midnight, when the batch server operates continuously), all the recurring tasks in a day are created in the form of task execution requests that can be seen in batch task management.

For recurring tasks with a defined frequency, a single execution request is created; when the task is executed, a new  execution request is created.

This means once the first execution for a recurring task with a defined frequency is launched:

  • In the request management, any interruption (if it is in progress), or deletion (if it is pending) of the next execution stops the process, which will be launched again the following day.
  • By default, any modification to the frequency will not be taken into account until the following day.