[Zope3-dev] Workflow -> trying to summarize today's chat APPcentric wf

[Shane Hathaway]

sathya wrote:
>>    <hathaway_> In application-centric workflow, you choose a verb, and 
>> then a noun.
>>
>>    Example: TBD 
> 
> 
> I would like to know how to diffrentiate between the two. It seems like 
> a chicken and egg problem. I wonder how can you choose a verb
> without having a premonition of what object you want to apply it to.  If 
> I click a button called submit which is a verb that triggers some events
> I have already made a decision on what object it is applicable to .I 
> would appreciate any insights.

Actually, Ulrich's example below is an example of choosing the verb 
before the noun.

>>       If an customer requests an order .. all the person, who takes
>>       this order wants to do is: Order something and let the system
>>       choose what needs to be done with this request.

In this process, the user chooses "order something" before choosing what 
to order.  Verb then noun.

In an object-centric user interaction, the user chooses an object (say, 
a sweater) then says what to do with it (order it).  Noun then verb.  In 
either case, by the time you click a submit button, in a sense you have 
chosen both a verb and a noun.

The difference is subtle but important.  In the procedural mindset (verb 
then noun), verbs are more important, while in the object-oriented 
mindset (noun then verb), nouns are more important.  People who design 
workflows (and user interfaces) tend to think one way or the other.  The 
object-oriented approach scales better, but not many non-geeks 
understand it well.  So it must be possible to do either one.

That was pretty abstract, I hope it made sense. :-)

Shane