4.1

2 Click the IN tab.
The contents of the IN tab depend on the type of element you selected.
n
If you selected a predefined task, workflow, or action element, the IN tab lists the possible local input
parameters for that type of element, but the binding is not set.
n
If you selected another type of element, you can select from a list of input parameters and attributes
you already defined for the workflow by right-clicking in the IN tab and selecting Bind to workflow
attribute/parameter.
n
If the required attribute does not exist yet, you can create it by right-clicking in the IN tab and selecting
Bind to workflow attribute/parameter > Create attribute/parameter in workflow.
3 If an appropriate parameter exists, choose an input parameter to bind, and click the Not set button in the
Source Parameter text box.
A list of possible source parameters and attributes to bind to appears.
4 Choose a source parameter to bind to the local input parameter from the list proposed.
5 (Optional) If you have not defined the source parameter to which to bind, you can create it by clicking the
Create attribute/parameter in workflow link in the parameter selection dialog box.
6 Click the OUT tab.
The contents of the OUT tab depend on the type of element you selected.
n
If you selected a predefined task, workflow, or action element, the OUT tab lists the possible local
output parameters for that type of element, but the binding is not set.
n
If you selected another type of element, you can select from a list of output parameters and attributes
you defined for the workflow by right-clicking in the OUT tab and selecting Bind to workflow
attribute/parameter.
n
If the required attribute does not exist, you can create it by right-clicking in the IN tab and selecting
Bind to workflow attribute/parameter > Create attribute/parameter in workflow.
7 Choose a parameter to bind.
8 Click the Source Parameter > Not set button.
9 Choose a source parameter to bind to the input parameter.
10 (Optional) If you did not define the parameter to which to bind, you can create it by clicking the Create
attribute/parameter in workflow button in the parameter selection dialog box.
You defined the input parameters that the element receives and the output parameters that it generates, and
bound them to workflow attributes and parameters.
What to do next
You can create forks in the path of the workflow by defining decisions.
Decisions
Workflows can implement decision functions that define different courses of action according to a Boolean
true or false statement.
Decisions are forks in the workflow. Workflow decisions are made according to inputs provided by you, by
other workflows, by applications, or by the environment in which the workflow is running. The value of the
input parameter that the decision element receives determines which branch of the fork the workflow takes.
For example, a workflow decision might receive the power status of a given virtual machine as its input. If the
virtual machine is powered on, the workflow takes a certain path through its logical flow. If the virtual machine
is powered off, the workflow takes a different path.
Chapter 2 Developing Workflows
VMware, Inc. 33