Defining Process Flow Input Properties

The input properties of a process flow define the external data that is required for the process flow to function properly.

The process flow engine populates a Process Flow Context Object with values passed in via the process flow's input properties. The context object is an in-memory data structure that is passed to each subsequent step in the process flow. Through the context object, each step has access to the values passed to the process flow at the time the flow is initiated. Also, each step can pass new values into the context object (that is, the output for one step may be an input for another step). On a process flow's Input Properties tab, you specify all of the external data that the process flow will require to execute (this does not include any data generated as a step's output though).

The steps within the process flow may be based on components, rules, or other process flows. Process Components records provide a list of required data on their associated Input Properties tabs. You should review the Input Properties for the components you intend to use in a process flow when determining what data is required.

Follow these steps to add input properties to a process flow:

1. Click the Input Properties tab.
2. Click the New icon to open a new record.
3. Enter a Name for the input property.
4. Choose a type from the Type list.
   • The valid values 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.
   • For an Input Properties entry that corresponds to an GE Object, select Object as the Type.
     
     
5. 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.
     
     

6. By default the Required option is selected. If this input property is not required, clear this option.
   
   

   The Value List Type field and Possible Values tab are reserved for future use with respect to Process Flow Input Properties.

7. Click OK to save and close the Input Properties record.
8. Repeat steps 2 through 7 to add additional input properties.
   • Alternatively, you can click OK and New in Step 7 to save the current record and open a new Input Properties record in one step.
     
     
9. Save the Process Flows record.