6.6.2. Ordering Multiple Sets

The syntax can be expanded to allow sets of resources to be ordered relative to each other, where the members of each individual set may be ordered or unordered (controlled by the sequential property). In the example below, A and B can both start in parallel, as can C and D, however C and D can only start once both A and B are active.

Example 6.11. Ordered sets of unordered resources

<constraints>
    <rsc_order id="order-1">
      <resource_set id="ordered-set-1" sequential="false">
        <resource_ref id="A"/>
        <resource_ref id="B"/>
      </resource_set>
      <resource_set id="ordered-set-2" sequential="false">
        <resource_ref id="C"/>
        <resource_ref id="D"/>
      </resource_set>
    </rsc_order>
  </constraints>

Figure 6.2. Visual representation of the start order for two ordered sets of unordered resources

Of course either set — or both sets — of resources can also be internally ordered (by setting sequential="true") and there is no limit to the number of sets that can be specified.

Example 6.12. Advanced use of set ordering - Three ordered sets, two of which are internally unordered

<constraints>
    <rsc_order id="order-1">
      <resource_set id="ordered-set-1" sequential="false">
        <resource_ref id="A"/>
        <resource_ref id="B"/>
      </resource_set>
      <resource_set id="ordered-set-2" sequential="true">
        <resource_ref id="C"/>
        <resource_ref id="D"/>
      </resource_set>
      <resource_set id="ordered-set-3" sequential="false">
        <resource_ref id="E"/>
        <resource_ref id="F"/>
      </resource_set>
    </rsc_order>
</constraints>

Figure 6.3. Visual representation of the start order for the three sets defined above

Important

An ordered set with sequential=false makes sense only if there is another set in the constraint. Otherwise, the constraint has no effect.