What is a Data Store in BPMN?

A Data Store represents persistent data storage like databases or file systems. It exists beyond individual process instances and can be accessed by multiple processes.

When should I use a Data Store?

Use Data Stores to show where persistent data lives-customer databases, document repositories, inventory systems. They indicate shared data that multiple process instances access.

How is the Data Store different from related elements?

Data Stores represent persistent repositories accessed by many instances. Data Objects represent data flowing through one instance. Data Stores use cylinder shape; Data Objects use document shape.

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Data Store

A Data Store represents persistent data that exists beyond individual process instances. It depicts databases, file systems, or other repositories where processes read from and write to.

What is a Data Store?

A Data Store represents a persistent data repository-databases, file systems, or external data sources. Unlike Data Objects that flow through processes, Data Stores persist independently.

Visual Representation

A Data Store displays as a cylinder shape (like a database icon). This familiar symbol indicates persistent storage that exists beyond any single process instance.

Key Characteristics

Persistent storage: Data exists beyond individual process instances
Shared access: Multiple processes and instances can access the same store
External systems: May represent databases, CRM systems, ERP data
Read/write operations: Activities connect to read from or write to the store

See it in action

The visa database stores application records

Read: The Travel Agency →

Common mistake

Using a data store when you mean a data object. Data stores persist beyond the process instance (databases, file systems). Data objects exist only during the process (forms, documents in transit).

How it connects

Data ObjectData Objects are transient per instance; Data Stores are shared persistent repositories accessible across instances Data AssociationData Associations show which activities read from or write to the Data Store Service TaskService Tasks commonly interact with Data Stores to read/write persistent data User TaskUser Tasks may read from Data Stores to display information or write decisions back

Common Use Cases

Customer Database

Show activities reading from and writing to the central customer relationship database.

Document Repository

Visualize how documents are stored in and retrieved from a document management system.

Inventory System

Indicate that activities check and update quantities in the inventory database.

Frequently Asked Questions

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