Adding and configuring the Append utility for the Hello World workflow

In this task, you add the Append utility to the workflow and configure it to insert the Hello World text in a file.

In the preceding task, Creating a module and a process for the Hello World workflow, you created a module and a process. The design canvas had only a Start and an End activity, connected by the gray process line.

Design canvas with Start and End activities

To create the Append utility activity

1. In the  Development Studio Project Navigator, click to expand AutoPilot-AD-Utilities> Terminal> File.
2. From the File folder, drag the Append utility to the design canvas.
3. Connect the Append utility to the Hello World process with the gray process line:
   1. Click the line to select it and highlight the green handles.
   2. Drag the handle closest to the End activity to the front (left side) of the Append utility.

   3. Click the back (right side) of the Append utility and draw a new line to the front (left side) of the End activity.

      Recommendation

      Always connect a new activity or process to the overall process as soon as you place the activity or process on the design canvas.

      
      
      Design canvas with an Append utility added to the process
      

To configure the Append utility

1. On the design canvas, double-click the Append utility to open the Property Panel for the Append utility activity.
   
   Append utility activity Property Panel with the Properties tab selected
   
   
   The Properties tab of the Property Panel lists the inputs and outputs for the activity. A red check mark indicates that the input is required.
2. On the Properties tab of the Property Panel for the Append utility activity, double-click in the Input Name/Value field that corresponds to the adapter name Output Name.
   The Properties tab is redisplayed in a different format. It is now the Properties tab for the selected item.
   
   Properties tab for the adapter name item
   
   
3. On the Properties tab, enter information for the adapter name input mapping:
   1. Ensure that the Parameter type is String.
   2. In the text box, type the name assigned to the ro-adapter-file adapter when it was configured on the grid.
      
      Input parameter area of the Properties tab for the adapter name item
      
      
   3. Click OK.
      The Property Panel for the Append utility is redisplayed with the input information displayed.
4. Repeat step 3 to enter the value for the file name input mapping. Type the path and name for the file where you want to write Hello World.
   This example uses c:\greeting.txt.
5. Repeat step 3 to enter Hello World as the value for the line 1 input mapping.
   This is the text that you want to write to the specified file.
   
   Input mapping area of the Append utility activity Property Panel
   

To finish creating the Append utility activity

1. On the Property Panel for the Append utility, click OK to return to the design canvas.
2. Click to save the process.