Defining Process Component Input Properties

The input properties of a process component define the data that is required in order for the logic included within the component to function properly. For example, if a component is configured to send an email, the component will require certain data elements, including the email address of the recipient and the subject and text of the message. Additional data such as addresses for cc and bcc lists for the email are used when the component is called, but may not be required. All data used within the component must be defined as input properties.

Follow these steps to add a new input property to a component:

1. Open a new record from the Input Properties tab of the Process Components form.
2. Enter a Name for the input property.
3. Choose a type from the Type drop-down list.
   • The Type options are String, Integer, Long, Currency, Decimal, Date/Time, Boolean, and Object.
   • Typically an input property corresponds to a Field value from an entity so the Type should match the Field's SQL Data Type as defined in the entity.
     
     
4. Complete the optional Description and Default Value fields, as necessary.
   • The Default Value specifies the value used by the input property if the process flow does not obtain a value for this property from the event handler or scheduled task. Also, in an input map, if a user selects the Static source type, this default value appears in the Source field.
     
     
5. By default the Required option is selected. If this input property is not required, clear this option.
   
   
   
   
6. If you want to configure a list of possible values, change the Value List Type to List Only or List or Manual. Then, specify the possible values on the Possible Values tab.
   • When set to List Only, a user can only select from the list of Possible Values when specifying a value for this Context Object.
   • When set to List or Manual, a user can either select from the list of Possible Values or manually enter a new value that is not on the list.
     
     
7. If you want to customize the way a input property is viewed, you can define a property viwer on the Property Page tab. Figure below is an example of an Input Property called FirstName. If a user selects the FirstName Input Property from the Properties window of a process flow, a customized dialog appears rather than the standard Edit Mapping dialog.
   • Note that if a custom property user interface is defined for process component as a whole, the property viewer defined on this tab will be ignored. See Using the Generate Data Mapper Process Component Wizard for more information about customer property sheets.
   • See the About the Input Properties Form for more information about the fields on this tab.
     
     
8. Click OK to save and close the Input Properties record.
9. Define additional input properties as necessary.