Data Output

A Data Output is a declaration that a particular kind of data can be produced as output of the InputOutputSpecification. There MAY be multiple Data Outputs associated with a

InputOutputSpecification.

The Data Output is an item-aware element. Data Output are visually displayed on a top-level Process diagram to show the outputs of the Process (i.e., one that is referenced by a Call Activity, where the Call Activity has been expanded to show the called Process within the context of a calling Process).

Visualized Data Outputs have the same notation as Data Objects, except that they MUST contain a small, filled block arrow (see Figure 10.60).

Data Outputs MAY have outgoing DataAssociations.

If the Data Output is directly contained by the top-level Process, it MUST not be the source of Data Associations within the underlying model. Only Data Outputs that are contained by Activities or Events MAY be the target of Data Associations in the model.

If the Process is being called from a Call Activity, the Data Associations that target the Data Outputs of the Call Activity in the underlying model MAY be visualized such that they connect to the corresponding Data Outputs of the called Process, visually crossing the Call Activity boundary. But note that this is visualization only. In the underlying model, the Data Associations originate the Data Outputs of the Call Activity and not the Data Outputs of the called Process.