Framework context values

The interaction.xml file contains the configuration of the context values that represent the data referenced in a solution. The context values are displayed as properties of the Interaction Manager component in the Object Explorer. Each project has its own Interaction Manager component, configured to reference the interaction.xml. This configuration allows for storing, editing, and sharing of the context values across all solution projects through the Interaction Manager.

When using the framework, you must initiate the framework by starting an interaction. Once the interaction starts, a virtual data table creates a structure column to represent each context value. Every interaction started receives a new row in the data table. The data table also has an interaction key column. The interaction key is similar to a database's primary key, storing a unique identifier of each table row or interaction available in the framework. When an automation closes an interaction in the framework, the framework deletes the data row and values of the interaction.

The interaction.xml file is the hub of the framework, so the basic data flow is for the data source applications to store the context values in the framework first. Once stored, all other applications can update or use the context values to complete specific activities. If data does not store correctly into a context value, the context value uses its configured default value.