During assign, you can transform the message format running on the business process to a different message format.

The main functions of assign are as follows:

• To copy an XML message to an XML message of another name.
• To copy a part (sub tree) of an XML message to another XML message (insert).
• To copy variables other than XML, such as boolean, numeric, and string to other variables.

Although assign has same functions for data transformation, assign is applicable when you want to copy an entire XML or a part, rather than processing individual values within an XML message.

The following figure shows the assign procedure in a business process:

Figure 3-5 Assign procedure in a business process

You use the assign activity for assignment.

An example of assignment is shown as follows:

Example: Copying a sub tree