Data sources

Data source definitions define which data is loaded from the selected data source and then used in configuration areas of Designer Studio. Most data sources use a Connection (i.e. a connection string) to access data, and then employ a selected filter type to narrow down the range of data that is used. Careful data filtering is useful for exceptionally large data sources, as loading data when attempting to expand a drop-down choice field can lead to considerable processing time.

Any number of data source definitions can use a single connection. Similarly, one data source definition can be used in multiple locations.

Local data sources do not need a defined connection to access them, these data sources include:

• BPS Internal view – used to access workflow instances stored in the current BPS content database;
• Fixed values list – used to define a number of static values which can be used as a data source;
• Custom – returned data is defined by the Plugin code.
  Additionally, please note that the connection does not have to be defined for the Domain users, Users and groups, Dictionaries, and Templates data sources.

Templates can be used to further detail the data returned by a data source, they allow the data to be returned in a certain format (column structure) so that it can be used for a specific purpose.

Most data sources can be designated as containing personal data (for GDPR-related configuration) by selecting the Data source contains personal data checkbox in the General tab of the data source configuration window.

A data source may also be marked as public – this allows users with application administrator privileges to use these data sources in their configuration (in such cases the aforementioned data source must be associated with the target application).