Input and output parameters can be linked to make data available between components or flows within the same business process test.

See Data Linkage Examples.

Input parameters enable you to define data used by a component or flow that is provided from an external source. When creating components, tests, and flows, you define how the values are supplied for input parameters.

An input parameter can receive:

• A predefined default value, if no other value is supplied by the test or flow.
• An output parameter value returned by a component or flow earlier in the flow or test.
• A parameter value that is supplied at the test or flow level, when the test or flow is run.

Output parameters allow data values retrieved from a component step or flow (the source) to be passed as input parameters to a subsequent component or flow (the target) in the test run.

You can use parameters at the component level, the flow level, and at the test level. Parameters can be promoted from one level to the next.

See Parameter Promotion.

Component parameters are parameters defined within a component. Component parameters can be input or output parameters.

These parameters are available to:

• All subsequent steps in the same component.

• Subsequent components in a flow or a test, provided that:

  • The component parameter is defined as an output parameter in the current test or flow, and as an input parameter in the subsequent component in the current test or flow.

  • The output parameter in the current test or flow is linked to the input parameter of the subsequent component in the current test or flow.

Flow parameters are parameters defined within a flow. These parameters are available to all components in the flow. Like component parameters, flow parameters can be input or output parameters.

Test parameters are parameters defined within a business process test. These parameters are available to all components and flows in the test. Test parameters can only be input parameters.

Local parameter values are not available outside of the component in which they are defined.

Local parameter values are defined within a business component and can be accessed by that component only. It is intended for use in a single step or between component steps, for example, as an output parameter for one step and an input parameter for a later step.

This type of parameter is generally used when working with automated UFT components in keyword GUI view. For details, see How to Work with Keyword GUI Automation.