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State MachinesWorkflow EnginesEvent-DrivenProduction Code
BPMN Element → Code Pattern
Every BPMN element has a code equivalent. Once you see the mapping, diagrams become implementation specs.
Quick Reference: The Translation Table
BPMN
Task
→ Function
BPMN
XOR Gateway
→ if/else
BPMN
AND Gateway
→ Promise.all()
BPMN
Swimlane
→ Service/API
Testing BPMN Implementations
State Machine Test Pattern
// Test every valid transition
describe('ExpenseStateMachine', () => {
test('DRAFT → PENDING_REVIEW on SUBMIT', () => {
const expense = createExpense({ status: 'DRAFT', amount: 100 });
const result = machine.transition(expense, 'SUBMIT');
expect(result.status).toBe('PENDING_REVIEW');
});
test('PENDING_REVIEW → NEEDS_CLARIFICATION on REQUEST_INFO', () => {
const expense = createExpense({ status: 'PENDING_REVIEW' });
const result = machine.transition(expense, 'REQUEST_INFO');
expect(result.status).toBe('NEEDS_CLARIFICATION');
});
// Test guards
test('rejects APPROVE when approver is submitter', () => {
const expense = createExpense({
status: 'PENDING_REVIEW',
submitterId: 'user-123'
});
expect(() => {
machine.transition(expense, 'APPROVE', { approverId: 'user-123' });
}).toThrow('Guard failed: isAuthorizedApprover');
});
// Test invalid transitions
test('cannot go from DRAFT directly to PAID', () => {
const expense = createExpense({ status: 'DRAFT' });
expect(() => {
machine.transition(expense, 'PROCESS_PAYMENT');
}).toThrow('Invalid transition');
});
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