Glossary
The glossary provides terms and definitions for IBM® watsonx Orchestrate®. Whether you are a new user or an experienced developer, the glossary helps you understand the language, and terminology that define the platform.
The following cross-references are used in the glossary:
- See refers you from a nonpreferred term to the preferred term or from an abbreviation to the spelled-out form.
- See also refers you to a related or contrasting term.
A B C D F G H P Q R S T U V W Z
A
action
A task or question that an assistant can help customers with. Each action has a beginning and an end, making up a conversation between the assistant and a customer.
action task
In a ruleflow, a task that contains rule action statements. These action statements are run each time the task is called.
AI-guided action
An action that allows a customer to choose an LLM, set a prompt, and optionally include a document.
app
A web or mobile device application.
automation
A business defined process that requires minimal human input to complete tasks and fulfill a business need.
B
base LLM
A language model with a large number of parameters, trained on a large quantity of text.
bot
Attended or unattended software that automates repetitive tasks. Bots can be created to complete a wide variety of tasks, as well as manage and schedule the bots based on the nature of the task.
builder
A developer who develops apps and skills.
C
choice list
A data type that contains a list of values.
composite data type
A data type composed of one or more attributes that can be primitive data types, simple data types, or other composite data types.
connector
The means by which a data source is connected to a product or service.
content-based answering
A search integration method based on documents that a builder provides to complement an LLM’s knowledge.
custom-built action
An action that can be added to the assistant that is manually created, step-by-step, by the builder.
custom skill
A skill that a builder develops to specifically meet a business requirement. For example, a project, an imported skill, or a skill flow.
D
data type
A definition used to describe the structure of the data.
debug
To detect, diagnose, and eliminate errors.
decision
An skill type that captures and automates repeatable intelligent business decisions.
decision model
A model that contains a diagram and a decision logic.
F
fallback
A conversation flow that end users can be routed to, and builders can modify the behavior of, in an assistant.
function task
In a ruleflow, a task that refers the output of another decision or prediction in the same automation.
G
general-purpose answering
A search integration method based on general knowledge rather than provided content, such as ChatGPT.
H
human task
A single unit of work generated when user input is required.
P
prediction model
A model that implements a prediction based on artificial intelligence. A prediction returns a probability or score that can be used in other decisions and workflows.
preview
To test and validate an automation during the build phase.
primitive data type
A set of basic data types from which all other data types are constructed.
private skill
A skill in a project that can only be used within a project and is not available in the skill catalog.
project
A workspace for building and managing skills like workflows, decisions, generative AI, connectors, skill flows and others.
prompt
Data, such as text or an image, that prepares, instructs, or conditions a foundation model's output.
public skill
A skill in a project that when published is available in the skill catalog.
publish
To make the public skills within a project available in the skill catalog for others to use. For example, to publish a skill so that it can be used by an assistant or by other skills.
R
ruleflow model
A model that contains rule artifacts and a ruleflow to organize their execution.
rule task
In a ruleflow, a task that lists rule artifacts in the order in which they need to be run.
S
SaaS
service user
In SaaS, a user who is a member of the client account.
simple data type
A data type that is an extension of a primitive data type. For example, an email type is an extension of the string primitive with a constraint value.
skill
A self-contained capability to automate tasks. Skills comprise different components, including but not limited to decision models, API integrations, generative artificial intelligence (AI) processes, or a combination of skills, allowing for the execution of simple or complex workflows. Skills can be used to create sophisticated, multi-step automations, enhancing efficiency and enabling seamless interaction within diverse applications.
skill-based action
An action that can be added to the assistant that uses prebuilt skills that automate tasks for users.
skill builder
A tool that a builder can use to build, version, manage, and publish custom skills.
skill catalog
A shareable repository of skills for use by a skill set. Skills from the skill catalog can be used independently or joined to make skill flows.
skill flow
A linear sequence of skills that uses an output of one skill as input for another skill thus enabling seamless interaction between the skills.
skill run
The execution of a skill, regardless of its complexity, whether it is composed of a single action or more.
skill set
A group of skills a user can connect to and use to help them with daily tasks.
skill type
A skill category based on a business purpose. For example, workflow is a skill type.
software as a service (SaaS)
A model of software deployment whereby software including business processes, enterprise applications, and collaboration tools, are provided as a service to customers through the cloud.
subflow task
In a ruleflow, a task that refers another ruleflow. A subflow task can refer to a ruleflow in the current ruleflow model, or in another ruleflow model in the same project.
T
task
A unit of work performed by someone or something.
team skill
A skill accessible by all members of a team.
tenant
An entity that accesses services through a subscription associated with an account or namespace.
V
version
The result of capturing the state of a project at a specific point in time.
W
workflow
A skill type that is composed of a sequence of skills and tasks that define work.