Allow to propargate update of subworkflows to the workflow using this subworkflow

[paulzierep]

This may be more of a Galaxy issue, or it might be fixable within IWC — I’m not entirely sure.

The microGalaxy community has recently discussed whether to split some of our workflows into subworkflows. Splitting makes it easier to build new workflows from these subworkflows. However, as far as I know, it is currently not possible to propagate updates from a subworkflow to the main workflows that include it.

In practice, the main workflow acts more like a container holding all the subworkflows but is disconnected from the original subworkflows.

Example:

• We have a workflow in IWC for host contamination and another for MAG analysis.
• We then build a main workflow that includes these workflows and add it to IWC.
• If we later change a tool in the host contamination workflow, the subworkflow itself is updated correctly.
• However, the main workflow does not automatically reflect this change and must be updated manually, since it is disconnected from the original subworkflow.

The more workflows use a shared subworkflow the more difficult it gets to update all of them.

[mvdbeek]

Hi Paul,

I agree with you, the experience could be better

• However, the main workflow does not automatically reflect this change and must be updated manually,

there is an update button in the editor

it is less than ideal though in that it requires you to update the exact subworkflow in use. This is more of a galaxy issue. A somewhat simple fix would be to make this a dialog where you can use links or select other workflows.

IIRC gxformat2 lets us includes files from a local filesystem, that would be a nice way to update worklfows. It is indeed mostly a Galaxy issue.