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Configuring Input and Output Arguments for Task Steps

The Task Step IO Argument object (a child of the Task Step object) allows you to provide an input or output argument to some types of steps:

• Input arguments apply to business service steps, Siebel Operation steps, and subtask steps.
• Output Arguments apply to business service steps, Siebel Operation steps, task view steps, subtask steps, and end steps.

For a description of the Task Step IO Argument object and its properties, see the Siebel Object Types Reference.

NOTE:  Business services, methods, and arguments can have hidden properties. For a business service, method, or argument to be displayed on a drop-down list in Siebel Tools, the Hidden property for the object must be set to FALSE. For more information, see Siebel Business Process Framework: Workflow Guide.

Specifying Task Step Input Arguments

Input arguments allow you to pass data to some task steps during task flow execution.

NOTE:  Input arguments apply to business service steps, Siebel Operation steps, and subtask steps.

For example, if you want to pass the object ID from a main task to a subtask, you do this through input arguments. If the subtask is based on a different business object, you must pass the relevant row ID of the target object as the subtask Object ID task property. For subtask steps, the receiving end of an input argument is one of the task properties of the subtask. You can select this using the drop-down list in the Task Input field. The task properties of the subtask that are of type In/Out or In are displayed in the drop-down list.

To add an input argument to a task step

1. Open the task that contains the task step to which you want to add an input argument in the Task Designer.
2. In the Task Designer canvas, select the step for which you want to define an input argument.
3. In the Multi Value Property Window, click the Input Arguments tab.

   NOTE:  For Siebel Operation steps, you use the Fields tab (rather than the Input Arguments tab) to specify input arguments.

4. Right-click and choose New Record.
5. Select an Input Argument (Field Name for a Siebel Operation step).

   This is the destination of the input argument.

6. Select an input argument Type, and specify the rest of the properties for the input argument as appropriate, based on the type selected:
   • Business Component. When the input argument Type is set to Business Component, you can select a business component and one of its fields in the Business Component and Business Component Field properties.
   • Expression. When the input argument Type is set to Expression, the Value property is used to specify an expression that is evaluated at run time to determine the input argument value.
   • Literal. When the input argument Type is set to Literal, the Value property of the input argument is used to specify a literal value for the input argument.
   • Task Property. When the input argument Type is set to Task Property, you can select a task property in the Property Name property.

     NOTE:  Business component fields based on multi-value groups cannot be selected as values for input or output arguments. To use a field based on a multi-value group, you must define a business component for the field, and link it to the appropriate business object. See Configuring Siebel Business Applications for more information.

     NOTE:  Calculated fields are not available as values for input or output arguments. If you want to use a calculated value, use an expression.

For descriptions of the properties of input arguments, see the description of the Task Step IO Argument object in the Siebel Object Types Reference.

Specifying Task Step Output Arguments

Output arguments allow you to store the value resulting from a Siebel operation, a business service, or a task view in a task property. This value can then be passed to a subsequent task step as an input argument.

NOTE:  Output arguments apply to business service steps, Siebel Operation steps, task view steps, and end steps.

To define output arguments for a task step

1. Open the task that contains the task step to which you want to add an output argument in the Task Designer.
2. In the Task Designer canvas, select the step for which you want to define an output argument.
3. In the Multi Value Property Window, click the Output Arguments tab.
4. Right-click and choose New Record.
5. Select a Property Name.

   This is the name of a task property that is the destination of the value for the output argument.

6. Select an output argument Type, and specify the rest of the properties for the output argument as appropriate, based on the type selected:
   • Business Component. When the output argument Type is set to Business Component, you can select a business component and one of its fields in the Business Component and Business Component Field properties.
   • Expression. When the output argument Type is set to Expression, the Value property is used to specify an expression that is evaluated at run time to determine the output argument value.
   • Literal. When the output argument Type is set to Literal, the Value property of the output argument is used to specify a literal value for the output argument.
   • Output Argument. When the output argument Type is set to Output Argument, you can select a task property in the Output Argument property. The drop-down list allows you to select the task properties that are of type In/Out or Out.

For descriptions of the properties of output arguments, see the description of the Task Step IO Argument object in the Siebel Object Types Reference.