JR51777: YOU RECEIVE A NULLPOINTEREXCEPTION WHEN YOU USE TWSEARCH EXECUTEFORPROCESSINSTANCES() AND TRACE IS ENABLED

8.5.0.1-WS-BPM-IFJR51777
Version 8.5 Refresh Pack 6 for the IBM Business Process Manager products
Version 8.5.0 Fix Pack 2 for the IBM Business Process Manager products

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• If you use the var processInstances =
  search.executeForProcessInstances() JavaScript
  method, you might receive a java.lang.NullPointerException
  because of a race condition that occurs when a process instance
  is deleted at the same time.
  
  The exception stack trace looks similar to the following:
  
  Caused by: java.lang.NullPointerException
  at com.lombardisoftware.bpd.runtime.engine.BPDInstanceDAO.
    getBPDExecutionContext(BPDInstanceDAO.java:240)
  at com.lombardisoftware.core.script.js.
    TWProcessInstanceScriptable.<init>
    (TWProcessInstanceScriptable.java:143)
  at com.lombardisoftware.core.script.js.TWSearchScriptable.
    resultSetToInstanceList(TWSearchScriptable.java:448)
  at com.lombardisoftware.core.script.js.TWSearchScriptable.
    executeSearchInternal(TWSearchScriptable.java:368)
  at com.lombardisoftware.core.script.js.TWSearchScriptable.
    jsFunction_executeForProcessInstances(TWSearchScriptable.
    java:180)
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• The java.lang.NullPointerException occurs because of how the
  TWSearch method executeForProcessInstances() JavaScript API  is
  implemented:
  The first step runs the query and returns the data of the
  selected process instances. The second step retrieves the
  details of the process instances to create the result set that
  the JavaScript API returns.
  If a process instance is deleted between these two steps, you
  receive a java.lang.NullPointerException.
  

Problem conclusion

• A fix is/will be available for IBM BPM V8.5.0.1 that adds an new
  check that verifies that the selected process instance still
  exists when creating the result set. Otherwise the process
  instance is skipped.
  
  On Fix Central (http://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral), search
  for JR51777:
  
  1. Select IBM Business Process Manager with your edition from
    the product selector, the installed version to the fix pack
    level, and your platform, and then click Continue.
  
  2. Select APAR or SPR, enter JR51777, and click Continue.
  
  When you download fix packages, ensure that you also download
  the readme file for each fix. Review each readme file for
  additional installation instructions and information about the
  fix.
  

Temporary fix

• Not applicable
  

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  BPM STANDARD

• Fixed component ID

  5725C9500

Applicable component levels

• R850 PSY

     UP