Connecting patterns to make a route

Overview

A complete route typically consists of a starting endpoint, a string of processing nodes, and one or more destination endpoints. The tooling saves routes in the context file regardless of whether they are complete.

[Important]Important

The tooling appends every new node added to Design view to its route element in the context file, and any that are not connected manually, using the connector arrows, are auto-connected when the context file is reopened, or when a route is reloaded in the route editor, by switching from Source to Design view. Because auto-connection may not sequence nodes in the intended order, it is best to connect nodes manually.

Connecting two nodes in a Route container on the canvas is as simple as dragging a line from one to the other. Each node in a route has a connector arrow. Selecting a node and dragging its connector arrow to a target node establishes a connection between the two nodes.

[Note]Note

Not all nodes can be connected. When you try to connect a source node to an illegal target node, the tooling displays the symbol attached to the mouse cursor, and the connector fails to stick to the target node.

Procedure

To connect two nodes:

  1. In the Route container on the canvas, select the source node to display its connector arrow.

  2. Drag the source node's connector arrow () to the target node.

    The direction of the connection represents the direction messages flow between the nodes in the route.

  3. While hovering over the target node, release the mouse button to drop the connector on it.

    The route editor updates the <route> element in the routing context file with the xml generated from the connection. You can view the xml in Source view.

  4. When you are done, save your work by selecting File > Save from the menu bar.