How to programmatically use Workflow module

I just so happen to be trying to figure this out also.

I created a content type with a workflow field with radio buttons that toggle between submitted and approved. (the workflow has three states: creation, submitted, approved). Based on looking through the code, I created a module that programmatically changes the value of the workflow field. I can edit a node, leave the radio button on the workflow field unchanged and after saving when I view the node again, the approved radio button is selected, but the workflow history still shows the state as submitted. I am missing something but I am not sure what, to get the field change value reflected in the history.

Here is my code so far. I have devel turned on.

/**
* Implements hook_node_presave().
* 
*  hook_entity_presave()
*/

function workflowdemo_entity_presave($entity, $type) {
global $user;

$nstate1 = 2; //submitted workflow state value
$nstate2 = 3; //approved workflow state value

//try to get current workflow state

//workflow_node_current_state($entity, $entity_type = 'node', $field_name = '');
//$sid = workflow_node_current_state($entity, $entity_type, $field_name);
$sid = workflow_node_current_state($entity, 'workflow_content', 'field_content_state');

drupal_set_message('DEBUG: PRESAVE Called');
drupal_set_message('DEBUG: Current Workflow State - '. $sid);

if ($sid == $nstate1) { //Submitted

$new_sid = $nstate2;         //Approved

drupal_set_message('DEBUG: New Workflow State - '. $new_sid);

  // Fire the transition.
  $comment = '';
  $transition = new WorkflowTransition();
  $transition->setValues('workflow_content', $entity, 'field_content_state', $sid, $new_sid, $user->uid, REQUEST_TIME, $comment);
  workflow_execute_transition('workflow_content', $entity, 'field_content_state', $transition, $force = TRUE);

}

dpm('_entity_presave');
dpm($entity);

}

Hook_entity_presave doesn't work, switched to hook_entity_update and the transition appears in the history.

Here is the updated code:

/**
* Implements hook_node_update().
*
*  hook_entity_update()
*/
function workflowdemo_entity_update($entity, $type) {
global $user;

$nstate1 = 2; //submitted workflow state value
$nstate2 = 3; //approved workflow state value

//try to get current workflow state
$sid = workflow_node_current_state($entity, $type, 'field_content_state');

drupal_set_message('DEBUG: Current Workflow State - '. $sid);

if ($sid == $nstate1) { //Submitted
$new_sid = $nstate2;         //Approved

drupal_set_message('DEBUG: New Workflow State - '. $new_sid);
  // Fire the transition.
  $comment = '';
  $transition = new WorkflowTransition();
  $transition->setValues($type, $entity, 'field_content_state', $sid, $new_sid, $user->uid, REQUEST_TIME, $comment);
  workflow_execute_transition($type, $entity, 'field_content_state', $transition, $force = TRUE);
}
dpm($entity);
}

ETA: I am using workflow field (the new way of working with workflow) and not workflow node (the old way of working with workflow).

@Max_Headroom, the function workflow_node_current_state() will stay in the D7-version. Probably in D8 the name will change.
It is already widely used in other contrib modules, so I cannot change the interface. It also works for both workflowNode and workflowField.

IMO the current 2.x version is functional complete. So only bug fixes will enter. As feature requests, there are 2 grouped requests (Multi review, planned transitions).

I realize that the last weeks several issues are raised that I could answer or fix, but these weeks are full of holidays and projects.

These examples are so old and now doesn't work.

I'm trying to change the status programmatically for a entity and I don't know exactly the correct way. I have a little snippet like this:

 $transition = WorkflowTransition::create(['product_status']);
 $transition->setValues('New status id', 1, 'Changed automatically on import process.');
 $transition->save();
 WorkflowManager::executeTransitionsOfEntity($bb_product);
$bb_product->save();

My code doesn't work but I don't find any other example or a correct way to change the Workflow state for a entity. Somebody can help me? I think that it's a useful example for all people. I can create a documentation page to explain some concepts like this.

Sorry. I don't have an answer, but I'm commenting in the hope that someone will notice. I'm about to try to use the workflow module and it would be much easier if there was a bit more documentation. Like any documentation would be great.

Here is a code snippet that creates and executes a workflow transition for a D8 site:

                // Generate a workflow transition to submitted
                /** @var \Drupal\Core\Session\AccountInterface $user */
                $user = \Drupal::currentUser();
                $transition = WorkflowTransition::create([$entity_workflow, 'field_name' => 'field_fbad_workflow']);
                $transition->setTargetEntity($entity);
                $workflow_comment = t('Submitted for building by @user on @now',
                  ['@user' => $user->getAccountName(), '@now' => date('d-m-Y H:i')]);
                $transition->setValues('fbad_submitted', $user->id(), REQUEST_TIME, $workflow_comment);
                $transition->execute(TRUE);
                if ($tid = $transition->id()) {
                  // Set the new value of the workflow field
                  $entity->field_fbad_workflow->value = 'fbad_submitted';
                }

Note the need to manually update the workflow value in the field once the transition has executed successfully.

$entity_workflow is the initial value of the workflow state of the $entity (=node), and "fbad_submitted" is the destination state.

Note the need to manually update the workflow value in the field once the transition has executed successfully.

Thank for the snippet! It works as expected but I have a doubt/appreciation.

I have this snippet in a drush command. The transaction is created correctly and as you say the new status is changed .... sometimes! drush command (by default) is executed as anonymous. Anonymous doesn't have enough permissions to execute the transaction and it throw an error. The transaction is created but the status changed throw an error.

I execute the drush command as a user 1 and it works, but It's a little bit hacky because when the transactions is created I set the 1 as a owner of the transaction. It not be clear for me, but it works; I only want to leave this message to help others (or me in the future :P)

Hi @estoyausente. The transition will execute as the user specified, so instead of loading the account for the "current user" in the first line of the snippet, you can load another user account that doe shave the required permissions.

mm... yes, it has sense! Thanks for answering! Really the user 1 is the best user in my case, but is a good idea set it at begin of the snippet in place of executing the command as a user 1.

Please see also some example code in workfow_devel module.