Process variables enable
processes to save and retrieve data at run time. You can create
different types of variables for storing different types of data.
You can also create variable collections for storing multiple instances
of related, same-typed data.
Typically, you use a variable or a collection of variables when
you need to make a decision based on the value that it holds or
to store information that you need later in a process.
For example, the value in a form field may be important for making
several routing decisions in the process. You can save the value
of the form field in a variable to easily access the value in routing
conditions.
You also use variables to save and retrieve data used to populate
forms for use with the User service.
You can create variables, set variable values, and access variable
values. You can set the value of variables in two ways:
Manually at design time so that the variable has a default
value each time the process is initiated. Only some variable types
can have their values set manually.
Automatically at run time so that the value of the variable
can be changed during the course of a process.
Changes to variable values affect only the instance of the process
in which the change occurs. For example, when a process is initiated
and variable data changes, the changes affect only that instance
of the process. The changes do not affect other instances of the
process that were initiated previously or are initiated subsequently.
