In Workbench, you can define ACT-based task properties as input parameters, output parameters, or non-parameterized values. This topic describes how to implement input and output parameters on ACT objects within the Workbench Project Schematic.

To define either an input parameter or an output parameter in your Project Schematic workflow, add the attribute isparameter to the XML extension definition of the task-level property that you want to parameterize.

To demonstrate, the supplied extension DataSquares is used. The following code creates and parameterizes a task-level input property named Input. Because it is an input, the attribute readonly is set to False. The property also has the attribute control set to integer.

...
	<propertygroup name="Inputs">
		<property name="Input" caption="Input" control="integer" default="0" readonly="False" needupdate="true" visible="True" persistent="True" isparameter="True" />
	</propertygroup>
...

In the same way, the following code creates and enables parametrization for a task-level output property named Output. Because it is an output property, the attribute readonly is set to true. The property also has the attribute control set to integer.

...
	<propertygroup name="Outputs">
		<property name="Output" caption="Output" control="integer" default="0" readonly="True" visible="True" persistent="True" isparameter="True" />
	</propertygroup>
...

A custom system named DataSquares is created in the Project Schematic. The new properties are shown in the custom Inputs and Outputs sections exposed in the task properties. These custom sections are defined by the task groups.

When you select the check box for parametrizing the two new properties, they are added to the Parameter Set bar.

The supplied extensions Squares and DataSquares demonstrate how to use custom task properties to integrate lightweight external applications into your Workbench workflow. For more information, see: