Output Attribute mapping

Output Attribute mapping is the process that accomplishes the moving of data from the Work entry in the AssemblyLine to the output destination in the connected system. Output Attribute maps are shown in the Attribute Maps window of the Connector, when brought up in the Connector Editor, with an arrow pointing from the Connector to an entity referred to as "[Target]". They are also shown in the Schema window, under Output Attribute map.

Before you begin

In order to be able to set up the Output Attribute map, the Connector must be set to a mode which supports output, toolbar of the Connector. The typical mode for output is AddOnly. Some modes, like CallReply, support both input and output.

Then, in the Output Map in the Output Attributes section, you select those Attributes from the Work entry in the AssemblyLine that we wish to output to the connected system.

About this task

Connectors to be set up for Output Attribute mapping can either reside in the <workspace>/Resources/Connectors, or in their designated position in the AssemblyLine. However, when the Connector is in <workspace>/Resources/Connectors only, that is, not a member of an AssemblyLine, we cannot easily drag Work entry attributes into the Output Attribute map. In this case, either drag the Connector into an AssemblyLine, or create the mappings manually, by clicking Add in the Attribute Maps window, alternatively by right-clicking on the Connector in the Attribute Maps window, and select Add attribute map item.

Procedure

1. Click Output Map.
2. Click Connect, to get the schema for the datasource. Some Connectors or Connector-Parser combinations have pre-defined schemas, which will be displayed. Many Connectors, however, do not.
3. If your Connector is in an AssemblyLine, drag Work entry attributes mapped in previously onto the Connector in the Attribute Maps window of the AssemblyLine editor. Alternatively, create Attributes manually—name matching occurs at run time. For example, an Output Map Attribute map item created as some_attribute causes a Work entry attribute named some_attribute to be mapped to a connected system-attribute of the same name.

What to do next

These mapped Attributes are retrieved from the Work entry when this Connector is called in the Flow of the AssemblyLine, and are output to the connected system.

If you did not create the Connector directly in an AssemblyLine, then in order to use this Connector in an AssemblyLine, drag the Connector from its location in <workspace>/Resources/Connectors to the Flow section of an AssemblyLine.

Parent topic:

Attribute Mapping and Schema