19/12/2022, 15:40 Overview of Taskflows in Informatica Cloud (IICS) - ThinkETL

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Overview of Taskflows in Informatica Cloud (IICS)

November 15, 2021

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Contents

1. Introduction
Taskflow
Linear Taskflow
2. Taskflow Steps
2.1 Assignment
2.2 Data Task
2.3 Notification Task
2.4 Command Task
2.5 File Watch Task
2.6 Ingestion Task
2.7 Subtaskflow
2.8 Decision
2.9 Parallel Paths

2.10 Jump
2.11 Wait
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2.12 Throw
2.13 End
3. How to create a Taskflow in Informatica Cloud?
4. Taskflow templates
4.1 Parallel Tasks
4.2 Parallel Tasks with Decision
4.3 Sequential Tasks
4.4 Sequential Tasks with Decision
4.5 Single Task
5. Taskflow Properties
5.1 General Properties
5.1.1 Name
5.1.2 Override API Name
5.1.3 API Name
5.1.4 Location
5.1.5 Notes
5.2 Start Properties
5.2.1 Binding
5.2.1.1 REST/SOAP
5.2.1.1.1 Allowed Groups
5.2.1.1.2 Allowed Users
5.2.1.2 Event
5.3 Input fields
5.4 Temporary fields
5.5 Advanced Properties
5.6 Notes
6. How to run a Taskflow in Informatica Cloud?
6.1 From the taskflow designer
6.2 As an API
6.3 Using the RunAJob utility
6.4 Initiated by a file listener
6.5 According to a schedule

1. Introduction
Taskflows in Informatica Cloud define the execution sequence of the tasks. To create a taskflow, you must first
create the tasks and then add them to a taskflow.

A taskflow is analogous to a Workflow in Informatica Powercenter.

There are two different types of taskflows that are supported in Informatica Cloud.

Taskflow
A taskflow controls the execution sequence of Data Integration tasks like mapping configuration task or a
synchronization task based on the output of the previous task. It allows you to run tasks in parallel, use advance
decision making criteria, time tasks, perform other advanced orchestrations and recovery options.

Linear Taskflow 

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A Linear taskflow is a simplified version of the taskflow. A Linear taskflow groups multiple Data Integration tasks
and run them serially in the specified order.

If a task defined in linear taskflow gets failed, you need to restart the entire taskflow. However, a taskflow allows
you to either restart from failed task or skip it and continue when a task fails.

2. Taskflow Steps
Use taskflow steps to add and orchestrate data integration tasks. You can add different types of steps to a
taskflow. To add a step to a taskflow, drag a step from the palette on the left into canvas.

Taskflow steps are analogous to mapping transformations. Each step has its own
properties and functionalities.

You can add the following steps to a taskflow:

2.1 Assignment
Assignment step is used to set a value for a field. A field is a data holder that carries data around a taskflow. You
can use input fields and temporary fields to set a value for a field.
Input fields provide input when you run the taskflow. The taskflow uses temporary fields internally to handle
data.

Assignment step is analogous to Expression transformation.

2.2 Data Task

Data Task step is used to add a mapping task, synchronization task, or PowerCenter task to a taskflow. You can
configure how the taskflow handles errors and warnings, perform actions based on a schedule, and override
runtime parameters.

2.3 Notification Task

Notification Task step is used to send a notification to specified recipients.
You can configure the Notification Task step to send an email notification. For example, you can send an email
notification to inform recipients about the number of success rows and error rows that were encountered in a
Data Task step of a taskflow.

2.4 Command Task

Command Task step is used to run shell scripts or batch commands from a file on the Secure Agent machine.
For example, you can use a command task to move a file, copy a file, zip or unzip a file, or run clean scripts or
SQL scripts as part of a taskflow.
You can use the Command Task outputs to orchestrate subsequent tasks in the taskflow.


2.5 File Watch Task
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File Watch Task step is used to listen to files in a defined location and monitor file events. In the File Watch Task
step, you can select an existing file listener with the connector source type. You can use file events to
orchestrate taskflow execution. For example, you can wait for a file to arrive at a particular location and then
consume the file in a subsequent step.

2.6 Ingestion Task

Ingestion Task step is used to leverage a file ingestion task for taskflow orchestration. In the Ingestion Task step,
you can select an existing file ingestion task.
You might want to perform data integration operations after moving files to an intermediate location and before
transferring the files to the target. In this scenario, you can use the Ingestion Task step in conjunction with the
Data Task step.

2.7 Subtaskflow
Subtaskflow step is used to embed and reuse an existing taskflow in the current taskflow. You can configure
input fields to provide input when you run the taskflow. You can also enable fault handling to determine the
reason for a taskflow failure.

2.8 Decision
Decision step is used when you want a taskflow to take different paths based on the value of a specific field.

Decision step is analogous to Router transformation.

2.9 Parallel Paths

Parallel Paths step is used when you want a taskflow to run multiple items at the same time. For example, you
can run three mapping tasks simultaneously. The taskflow runs all items in the Parallel Paths step and then
moves to the next step.

2.10 Jump
Jump step is used when you want to jump from one part of the taskflow to another. You can use decision task
and Jump step in conjunction to loop through a set of tasks in taskflow.

2.11 Wait
Wait step is used when you want to pause taskflow execution for a specific duration. This is similar to Unix Sleep
command which waits for a defined period before executing the next steps.

2.12 Throw
Throw step is used to catch a fault, return the fault details, and prevent the execution of the subsequent steps in
a taskflow. The Throw step is an interrupting step, which means that if a fault occurs, the Throw step stops the
execution of the taskflow and sets the taskflow status to fail.


2.13 End
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End step is used to define the HTTP status code that must be used when a taskflow completes. This is a default
step that is added at the end of the taskflow.

3. How to create a Taskflow in Informatica Cloud?

Follow below steps to create a taskflow

1. In Data Integration, click New > Taskflows > Taskflow > Create.
2. Set general properties providing the name of the Taskflow. Set start properties, input fields, and
temporary fields for the taskflow if any.
3. Add steps to the taskflow. For example, you can use the Data Task step to add a Mapping Task. You can
use the Subtaskflow step to embed and reuse an existing taskflow.
4. Validate and save the taskflow.
5. Click on three dots on top right corner of the page and select Publish from the menu.

4. Taskflow templates
Instead of creating a taskflow from scratch, you can use the templates provided by Informatica. To use a
taskflow template, in Data Integration, click New > Taskflows > Taskflow Template name > Create

Below are the pre-created templates in Informatica

4.1 Parallel Tasks

Select the Parallel Tasks template if your major requirement is to run two or more data integration tasks in
parallel. You start with a taskflow that contains a Start step, a Parallel Paths step, and an End step.
You can add other steps at any point on the canvas.

Parallel Tasks taskflow template

4.2 Parallel Tasks with Decision

Select the Parallel Tasks with Decision template if your major requirement is to run two or more data integration
tasks in parallel and then make a decision based on the outcome of any task. You start with a taskflow that
contains a Start step, a Parallel Paths step, a Decision step, and an End step.

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Parallel Tasks with Decision taskflow template

4.3 Sequential Tasks

Select the Sequential Tasks template if your major requirement is to run two data integration tasks, one after the
other. You start with a taskflow that contains a Start step, two Data Task steps, and an End step.

Sequential Tasks taskflow template

4.4 Sequential Tasks with Decision

Select the Sequential Tasks with Decision template if your major requirement is to run two Data Integration
consecutive tasks and then make a decision based on the output of either task. You start with a taskflow that
contains a Start step, two Data Task steps, a Decision step, and an End step.

When you modify a taskflow template, you only modify that instance. The template
remains unchanged.

Sequential Tasks with Decision taskflow template

4.5 Single Task

Select the Single Task template if your major requirement is to run one data integration task on a daily or weekly
schedule, for example. You start with a taskflow that contains a Start step, a Data Task step, and an End step.

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Single Task

5. Taskflow Properties
To set taskflow properties, create a taskflow, click the Start step and access the Properties section. Optionally,
click the empty area of the canvas to access the Properties section.

5.1 General Properties

You can specify the following general properties for a taskflow

Taskflow – General Properties

5.1.1 Name

Required. A descriptive name to identify the taskflow.

5.1.2 Override API Name

Optional. Overrides the API name that is auto generated when you publish the taskflow with a name that you
specify. When you select this option, the API Name field becomes available for you to edit.

5.1.3 API Name

Required if you select the Override API Name option. A unique API name to override the auto-generated API
name for the taskflow. The API name that you specify in this field is used in the generated service URLs.
To change the API name of a published taskflow, you must first unpublish the taskflow. Then, change the API
name and republish the taskflow.

5.1.4 Location 

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The project and folder in which you want to save the taskflow. Click Select to navigate to a folder.

5.1.5 Notes

A description of the taskflow

5.2 Start Properties

You can specify the following properties for a taskflow under Start tab.

5.2.1 Binding
The Binding property defines how a taskflow is invoked and run. You can select one of the following values:

5.2.1.1 REST/SOAP

If you select the REST/SOAP binding type, you can run the taskflow by using a REST or SOAP endpoint. You
can use the Allowed Groups and the Allowed Users fields to define the user groups and users who can run a
published taskflow as an API.

If you do not configure any of the Allowed Groups and the Allowed Users fields, Data
Integration does not generate the taskflow service URL. You can run and schedule the
taskflow. However, you cannot run the taskflow as an API.

5.2.1.1.1 Allowed Groups

Defines the groups that have access to the taskflow service URL at run time. Use the Allowed Groups option
when you want a group of users to have access to a taskflow service URL.

5.2.1.1.2 Allowed Users

Defines the users that have access to the taskflow service URL at run time.Use the Allowed Users field when
you want a specific user to have access to the taskflow service URL.

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Taskflow – Start properties with Binding as REST/SOAP

The above image shows that users in the ‘Developers’ group and the user ‘tstark’ will have access to the
taskflow service URL.
You can specify more than one user in the Allowed Users field.

5.2.1.2 Event
If you select the Event binding type, the taskflow is invoked when the specified event occurs. For example, a
taskflow can be invoked upon an event such as arrival of a file in a file system. The Event Source Name field is
available when you select the file listener that you created for the event.

The following image shows the binding set to Event and the Event Source Name field:

Taskflow – Start properties with Binding Event

After you publish a taskflow, you cannot edit the binding details. You must Unpublish
the taskflow to edit the binding details.

5.3 Input fields

Use the Input Fields section to add fields that a taskflow uses at the beginning of a step. You can define the
input fields that you want to pass when you run a taskflow. You can create input fields of a simple type or a
custom type.

Simple type: Create a simple type field to use common data types such as Checkbox, Date, Date Time, Time,
Number, Integer, or Text.

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Custom type: Create a custom type field to use an object that is added to the taskflow.

5.4 Temporary fields

A taskflow uses temporary fields internally.

Temporary fields do not appear in the input or output of a taskflow.

Some temporary fields appear without you specifically adding them. When you add a task to a taskflow, a
corresponding temporary field appears.
If you included a Data Task step in a taskflow, the Data Task fields appear on the Temp Fields tab of the
Start step. The Data Task fields represent the input parameters of the task.

The following image shows the mapping task ‘mct_Test’ used in the Data task step as a temporary field in Start.

Taskflow – Temp Fields

5.5 Advanced Properties

You can configure a taskflow to suspend on a fault that occurs at the taskflow level. You can also configure the
taskflow to send an email notification to specified recipients when it is suspended on a fault.

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Taskflow – Advanced Properties

You can define the following advanced properties for a taskflow:

Suspend on Fault: Suspends the taskflow on a fault that occurs at the taskflow level.
Send Email on Suspension: Sends an email notification when the taskflow is suspended on a fault.
When you select the Send Email on Suspension option, the rest of the email fields become available.
Email To: Defines the primary recipients for the email notification. Enter multiple email addresses using
comma (,) or a semicolon (;) as separator.
Email Cc: Defines the recipients who need to be sent a copy of the email notification.
Email Subject: Specifies a short and descriptive subject that introduces the email.
Email Body: Defines the content that you want to send in the email. Click Edit Content to open a rich
text editor and use formatting options such as bold, italics, underlines, lists, indentations, and fonts. You
can also insert tables and links

5.6 Notes
Use the Notes field to add information that you or other users might need. The notes that you enter here appear
on the Data Integration page. You do not see these notes when you run the taskflow.

6. How to run a Taskflow in Informatica Cloud?

There are several ways in which you can invoke and run a taskflow.

6.1 From the taskflow designer

To run a taskflow from the taskflow designer, open the taskflow and click Run present in the upper-right part of
the page.

6.2 As an API
To run a taskflow as an API, you must first publish the taskflow as a service, and then run it. When you publish a
taskflow, Data Integration generates the service URL and the SOAP service URL. You can use these endpoint
URLs to run the taskflow as an API.

Read More


6.3 Using the RunAJob utility
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RunAJob utility is a command line tool used to trigger IICS Data Integration tasks.

The RunAJob utility internally calls IICS REST API service to trigger tasks.
The RunAJob utility bundles all the required functionalities of REST API there by making it easy to the
end user to perform tasks by just passing only the required details to the tool such as task name and
type.
Your organization must have a license to use the RunAJob utility.

Read More

6.4 Initiated by a file listener

You can invoke a taskflow through a connector file listener. Within the taskflow, define the binding type as Event
and select the connector file listener as the event source. When you publish the taskflow, the taskflow
subscribes to the connector file listener that is defined in it. When a file event occurs, the connector file listener
invokes the taskflow.

Read More

6.5 According to a schedule

To run a taskflow on a schedule, create a schedule in Administrator and associate the taskflow with the
schedule.

Read More

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4 thoughts on “Overview of Taskflows in Informatica Cloud (IICS)”

Shafi
November 17, 2021 at 10:15 pm

Its really informative.Thanks for sharing

Reply

ThinkETL
November 19, 2021 at 4:01 pm

Thank you!!👍

Reply

Ajay Kumar Loya

December 19, 2021 at 11:12 am

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Good information.really useful.

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ThinkETL
December 20, 2021 at 11:51 am

Thank you!! Glad it is useful👍

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