Compensation Start Event
A Compensation Start Event initiates a compensation handler when compensation is triggered for a completed activity. It enables undo or reversal logic for activities that have successfully completed.
What is a Compensation Start Event?
A Compensation Start Event begins a compensation handler that undoes or reverses the effects of a successfully completed activity. Compensation is triggered when a process needs to roll back due to later failures or explicit cancellation.
Visual Representation
The Compensation Start Event shows a thin circle containing a rewind icon (two left-pointing triangles). This symbol represents the backward/undo nature of compensation actions.
Key Characteristics
- Compensation handler only: Used exclusively within compensation event sub-processes
- Reverse completed work: Runs only for activities that completed successfully
- Explicit or implicit trigger: Can be triggered by Compensation Throw Events or transaction rollback
- ACID-like semantics: Enables saga pattern for distributed transaction compensation
Common Use Cases
Booking Cancellation
When a travel booking fails at the hotel step, compensation handlers cancel the already-booked flight and car rental.
Financial Reversal
A failed fund transfer triggers compensation to reverse the debit from the source account that already completed.
Inventory Restoration
Order cancellation compensates inventory reservations, restoring stock levels for other orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
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