Action
An event in a workflow such as sending an email, creating a record, etc.
API / REST API
An acronym for Application Programming Interface, an API enables the transmission of data between one application and another by providing a specifically formatted URL to exchange the desired information.
APIs are an important component of workflows, providing the means for operations to talk to each other.
Connection
A link between two or more operations that allows data to flow from one operation to another.
Control Flow
When an operation executes it may be unsuccessful. For example, remote data may not exist, a user may not have provided the right credentials, or a webhook may fail to connect for some reason.
Control flows allow for different options depending on the success or failure of an operation by providing success paths and failure paths within a workflow.
Credentials
Unique information that identifies a user or a service, typically a username and password pair.
Data Chains
The passing of data between separate operations in a workflow.
Delay
An action in a workflow that waits a specified amount of time before running the remainder of the workflow.
Encryption Key
Data that’s encoded so that it cannot be easily read. Encryption keys are used to secure credentials when accessing APIs.
Execution
A completed run of a workflow from start to finish.
Expression
A combination of one or more constants, variables, functions, and operators that are computed to produce another value.
Function
In programming, a set of reusable commands designed to be run together and launched by other commands in the code. It may or may not receive input from the command that launches it. Many operations in a workflow behave like functions, receiving specific input to generate a specific output.
Header
Part of an HTTP request message that passes additional information between the transmitter and receiver. Request Headers can include rules and settings to define how an HTTP transaction should operate.
IP Address
The location of an electronic device on a TCP/IP network. Workflows often connect to external services through an IP address.
JSON
An open standard file and data format that is easy for humans to read and for computers to parse. Much of the data that is transferred from one operation to another in a workflow is in the JSON format.
JavaScript
A lightweight programming language that web developers commonly use to create dynamic interactions when developing web pages, applications and servers.
Node
The basic building block of a workflow. Each node can receive, process or output data.
Operation
An action or process performed within the workflow, such as sending an email or storing data.
Parameter
Data that is passed to a program or script which is used for processing and directly effects the output or results generated.
SSL
An acronym for Secure Socket Layer, an SSL certificate is used to encrypt and verify the identity of information when it passes through the internet between servers.
API Token
Small collections of code containing information about a user. Also called access tokens, they are sent with API requests to help keep users and data providers secure.
Trigger
The initial action or event that starts a workflow.
UI
An acronym for User Interface, it is the method or tool a person uses to interact with an application or operating system.
URL
An acronym for Universal Resource Locator, it is a string of characters that represents a network location. A website address is one type of URL.
Variable
A variable represents a piece of data that can be changed or manipulated by computer code. Variables are used to temporarily store information for processing.
Webhook
A service that listens for data input from an external source. Webhooks are often used to trigger an action in a workflow, allowing external systems to provide real-time alerts and updates to another system.
Workflow
A custom, event-driven data processing and task automation process. A workflow is composed of one trigger, followed by a series of operations.