Workflow Terminology

A workflow is a directed graph consisting of nodes that are connected to one another. There are specific terms used to indicate the nodes in relation to the workflow.

For example, consider a workflow composed of two nodes, N1 and N2. Assume that N1 is connected to N2:

• Parent node and child node: The node N1 is the parent node of N2, and the node N2 is a child of N1. A parent node provides information that the child node needs when it runs. You must build a model before you apply to new data.

• Descendants and ancestors: The node N2 is called the descendant of N1 if there is a workflow connection starting from N1 that eventually connects to N2. N1 is called the ancestor of N2. N1 is always closer to the root node than N2.

• Root nodes: The nodes that have no parent nodes are called root nodes. All workflows have at least one root node. A parent node can have multiple root nodes.

  
  

  Note: A parent node is closer to a root node than its child node.

  
  

• Siblings: If a node has several child nodes, then the child nodes are referred to as siblings.

• Upstream: Parent nodes are called upstream of child nodes.