Connecting mining flow operators

You can connect mining flow operators in the mining editor canvas to model processing paths between operators. Operators have operator-level connections and column-level connections.

Before you begin

Place two mining flow operators next to each other in the canvas and define the properties for the first one (a table source operator, for example).

Procedure

To connect mining flow operators, complete the following steps:
  1. Click the first operator's output port. The mouse pointer will change to indicate connection mode.
  2. Move the pointer to the second operator's input port. When the pointer changes to indicate that a connection is possible, click to create the connection. The connection line snaps into place and the mouse pointer switches back to selection mode.
  3. When you connect two operators and the properties for both operators have already been defined, such as the last transform operator in a data flow and a defined table target operator, the Select Column Connections window opens. Select the appropriate type of automatic column connection:
    • Do not connect automatically. Select this option if you want to create individual column connections with the connection tool.
    • Propagate columns. Select this option if you want to copy all of the columns from the previous operator into the input schema for the second operator.
    • Connect by position. Select this option if you want automatic connections based on column order.
    • Connect by name. Select this option if you want automatic connections based on column names.
    • Edit column connections. Select this option to open a separate window where you can define column connections.
    This window also opens when you define a connection, delete it, and try to define it again. You can access column-level connection options at any time by right-clicking the associated operator-level connections.
  4. Expand the connected operators to inspect or modify column-level connections. Only expanded operators show column-level connections. In operators that have scrolling column lists, the complete column level connection will only appear if the connected columns of both operators are in view. A broken line indicates a column connection when only one end of the column is in view.
    • To create an individual column-level connection, click the column output icon on the first operator and move the pointer to the column input icon on the target.
    • To delete a column-level connection, select the connection and press the Delete key.
  5. To create a second outgoing connection from an output port to a different operator, position the mouse near the icon in the output port. You can only create a second connection when the mouse pointer indicates connection mode. If the mouse pointer is positioned over the existing connection in the output port, the second connection cannot be created.


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