You can create and use variables in a workflow to reference values and record information. For example, use a variable in a Decision task to determine whether the previous task ran properly. If it did, you can run the next task. If not, you can stop the workflow.
Use the following types of workflow variables:
Predefined workflow variables.
The Workflow Manager provides predefined workflow variables for tasks within a workflow.
User-defined workflow variables.
You create user-defined workflow variables when you create a workflow.
Use workflow variables when you configure the following types of tasks:
Assignment tasks.
Use an Assignment task to assign a value to a user-defined workflow variable. For example, you can increment a user-defined counter variable by setting the variable to its current value plus 1.
Decision tasks.
Decision tasks determine how the Integration Service runs a workflow. For example, use the Status variable to run a second session only if the first session completes successfully.
Links.
Links connect each workflow task. Use workflow variables in links to create branches in the workflow. For example, after a Decision task, you can create one link to follow when the decision condition evaluates to true, and another link to follow when the decision condition evaluates to false.
Timer tasks.
Timer tasks specify when the Integration Service begins to run the next task in the workflow. Use a user-defined date/time variable to specify the time the Integration Service starts to run the next task.
Use the Expression Editor to create an expression that uses variables. When you build an expression, you can select predefined variables on the Predefined tab. You can select user-defined variables on the User-Defined tab. The Functions tab contains functions that you use with workflow variables. Use the point-and-click method to enter an expression using a variable.
Use the following keywords to write expressions for user-defined and predefined workflow variables: