Where to Create User-Defined Parameters
You can create user-defined parameters in flat file data objects, transformations, custom data objects, mapplets, mappings, and workflows. After you create the parameters, you can assign the parameters to fields such as conditions, expressions, connections, directories, and file names.
When you create a parameter for a transformation, a logical data object, a mapplet, a mapping, or a workflow, the parameter applies to that object. For example, you can create a parameter in a Read transformation to parameterize the columns that the transformation reads from a data source. Or, you can create a mapping parameter that defines the run-time environment.
You can create parameters for the following objects:
- •Transformations or data objects
- •Logical data objects
- •Mapplets
- •Mappings
- •Workflows
You can set workflow parameter values and mapping parameter values at run time by configuring the parameter values in a parameter set or a parameter file.
You can create parameters at the same time that you assign parameters to fields and properties. When you assign a parameter to a field, you can create the parameter to use. You can also browse for a parameter that you created previously.
Note: When you create parameters on the Parameters tab, do not include a leading dollar sign ($) in the parameter name.
Maintain user-defined parameters on the Parameters tab of a transformation or of a data object. A mapping, mapplet, workflow, or logical data object also has a Parameters tab. You can add, change, and delete parameters on the Parameters tab.
You can also access parameters directly from the Outline view, which shows where parameters are used, defined, and bound. When you click on a parameter in the Outline view, the parameter properties appear on the Parameters tab.