Defining module connections

Before you can assign inputs in your modules, you first need to establish the connections that determine the source of data flowing into the module, and the recipient of data flowing out of the module. To define the connections, you use connectors to draw the relationship between modules and other modules, or between modules and entities in other models.

A completely defined module (one with all module inputs assigned and all entities defined) can be run independently of the model that contains it and any other modules it is connected to.

To define module connections

1. On the Map or Model layer, draw a connector from the module or entity that will provide entities as outputs to the module that will accept those entities as input. In the following example, entities in “Module 1” are available as inputs for entities in “Module 2":

   

   In the next example case, the "Customers" entity is available as an input for entities in "Module 1".

   

2. Continue drawing connectors to define the input/output relationships among all modules and entities in the model.

   The following example (from the sample hierarchy discussed in A Module Example) shows how some modules are related by both inputs and outputs, where others are related by only one or the other, and still others are not directly related at all.

   

   You can change the relationships at any time by adding or removing connectors. If you make changes to the connectors after you assign input entities in each module, you may need to reassign inputs to their proper outputs to be able to run the model.

See Also