How do you create an automated job? (4234120)

How do you use the automation feature?

Create Automation Scripts
Automation scripts consist of one or more activities in a sequence called a workflow. You add activities by dragging and dropping them from a toolbox to the design panel in the Automation Script Designer. You design the workflow by arranging activities in the order they should be performed by the script. A workflow can include serial and parallel activities.

After a script is created, you can modify it, adding and removing tasks as needed. However, a script should not be modified while it is executing.

Note: Each activity is assigned a default name that includes a number. This number serves as a unique identifier and does not affect the order of execution. You can change a default name as needed. Activity names can contain alphanumeric characters and symbols, but cannot contain spaces.

To create an automation script

Select Tools | Automation Script Designer.

or

Click Automate in the Grouping toolbar.

From the Automation Script Designer, add activities to the automation script workflow by dragging-and-dropping them from the General Activities toolbox to the design panel:

Ativities...

Archive
Create a ZIP file and add files to it. Files generated with other activities can be added to the ZIP file.

CopyFile
Copy or move a file to a folder where it can be accessed by your business community. Files generated with other activities can be copied or moved with CopyFile.

DatabaseConnection
Add a database connection and connection box to the workflow. A connection is required for the SelectToExcel and ToadReport activities. These are dropped in the connection box. A connection can be added anywhere in the workflow.

SelectToExcel
Execute a query or script and export the results to an Excel spreadsheet. To add the SelectToExcel activity to a workflow, drag-and-drop it to the connection box for a DatabaseConnection activity.

ToadReport
Run a report and save it in a PDF, RTF, or MHT file. To add the ToadReport activity to a workflow, drag-and-drop it to the connection box for a DatabaseConnection activity.

SendEmail
Send an email to notify yourself or colleagues about the script status. Files generated with other activities can attached to the email.

Tip: To remove an activity from the workflow, right-click the activity and select Delete.

Specify properties for each activity in the Properties grid below the toolbox. You can also double-click an activity and specify properties in a properties editor. An exclamation symbol displays when required properties have not been specified. In activities grids, it identifies required properties.

Tip: If you frequently use the same properties for the CopyFile or SendMail activity, you can save the properties in a snippet. You can then add the pre-populated snippet to a script. After the first snippet is created, a Snippets toolbox displays in the Automation Script Designer.

Add parallel activities to the workflow where needed:

Add branches for two parallel activities by dragging-and-dropping the Parallel activity from the System Activities toolbox to the design panel. A box with two parallel activity branches displays.

Add a branch by right-clicking inside the parallel box and selecting Add Branch. A third branch displays inside the parallel box. Repeat this step for each branch you want to add to the box.

Drag-and-drop one or more activities from the General Activities toolbox to each activity branch.

If you want to change the order of activities, drag-and-drop them to new locations in the workflow.

Use buttons in the Wizard bar to do the following (the Wizard bar displays when the Use Wizard bar checkbox is selected in the Configuration wizard):

Options...

Add to Project
Add an automation script to a project. First open the project in the Project Manager. The script is automatically placed in the project's Automation Scripts folder.

Save
Save an automation script in a folder on a local or network drive. The script is given a *.tas extension.

Test
Test an automation script before scheduling it. The script executes once. Use the Output window to see any status messages. This window opens automatically when the Show Output panel option is selected in Automation Options. Resolve any problems that cause activities to fail or disable failed activities. Then schedule the script.

Schedule
Schedule an automation script in Job Management. A script can be scheduled to execute once or repeatedly at an interval you specify.

Note: You are prompted to save a workflow as an automation script the first time you click a button in the Wizard bar.


Tip: You can open existing automation scripts from the File menu or the Project Manager (if the scripts have been added to a project).

For further details please check Toad's Help file under the "Automate Tasks" topic.  You can also click the 'Tutorial' option at the bottom of the automation window.