Correlation sets.

Correlation sets are used for associating messages from outside the process to the correct process instance. Usually correlation sets are used with state machines. However we can use correlation sets with business processes also. A long running business process can have and will have more than once instances of the processes running at a time. If an external component is sending a message to this business process, the message needs to be passed to the correct instance. This is accomplished with the help of correlation sets. Or in other words a correlation set tells which message is associated with which process instance.

The problem came because the web services are loosely coupled and it’s not easy to identify the correct process instance from a client application. Or if a business process has two receive activities, we need to know which instance should receive the message.

A correlation set will have one or more properties and aliases. If a process is expecting different messages, we will have more than one property. A collection of such properties are called correlation set.

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