Draft Terminology

Terminology of argument passing – with UiPath mapping

1. Parameter Interface

• Describes how data is received or returned by a function/module.
• UiPath: Arguments in .xaml workflows (In_, Out_, InOut_ arguments).

2. Parameter Passing Modes

• Specifies how arguments behave:

  • By value: copies passed
  • By reference: shared memory
  • Out: return-only
  • In: read-only

• UiPath: Explicit direction of arguments (In, Out, In/Out).

  • C# pass-by-refernce and pass-by-value

3. Data Marshalling

• Converts data into transferable formats (e.g. JSON ↔️ object).
• UiPath: Deserialize JSON, Serialize JSON, JObject, JToken, Dictionary, .ToString, .ToObject.

4. Signature Design

• Defines structure and readability of input/output interfaces.
• UiPath: Number and naming of workflow arguments; using Config, TransactionItem, or structured payloads.

5. Data Contract

• Formal specification of expected data shape (types, fields, constraints).
• UiPath: Not enforced by default; emulated via strongly typed arguments, custom classes, or JSON Schema validation.

6. Coupling

• Indicates dependency level between caller and callee structures.

• UiPath:

  • Tight: multiple explicit arguments or shared config file
  • Loose: passing JObject, JSON string, or dictionary

7. Encapsulation / DTO

• Use of structured objects to bundle related data and hide internals.

• UiPath:

  • Custom .vb class or serialized JSON
  • Input/output Dictionary(Of String, Object) representing DTO