Disclosed is apparatus for processing business data processing activities,
the apparatus comprising: an activity instance; and a descriptor for the activity
instance associated uniquely with the activity instance; wherein the descriptor
includes parameters for determining lifecycle behaviors of said activity instance.
The descriptor may be programmable to modify the lifecycle behaviors according
to a use made of said activity instance. The use of the activity instance may be
responsive to a request by a client. It may also be responsive to a request by
an activity instance. The descriptor may be programmable to modify the lifecycle
behaviors according to a position in a system hierarchy of the activity instance.
