Describe the components of a connector

Components of a Connector

Connectors in Microsoft Power Platform are key components that enable integration between different systems, services, and data sources. A connector acts as a bridge, allowing users to interact with external systems and leverage their capabilities within Power Platform applications. In this article, we will explore the components that make up a connector and how they facilitate seamless integration.

Connection

A connection is the foundation of a connector and represents the authentication and authorization mechanism used to establish a secure connection to an external system or service. A connection stores the credentials and configuration details required to access the target system or service. Users can create multiple connections for the same connector to interact with different instances or accounts.

Connections can be established using various authentication methods, such as usernames and passwords, OAuth, API keys, or certificates. The connection ensures that Power Platform applications can securely interact with external systems and retrieve or update data as needed.

Triggers

Triggers are events that initiate a workflow or process in response to a specific action or occurrence in the connected system or service. Triggers define the point at which the connector integration is invoked. For example, a trigger could be a new record created, a file uploaded, or a timer-based event.

When a trigger event occurs, the connector workflow is initiated, and subsequent actions or steps are executed based on the specified logic. Triggers allow for real-time or near-real-time integration, ensuring that Power Platform applications can react to and process events as they happen in the connected system.

Actions

Actions are the operations or tasks that can be performed on the connected system or service. Actions represent a set of predefined functionality exposed by the connector, allowing users to interact with the external system’s capabilities through Power Platform. Actions can include creating, reading, updating, or deleting records, retrieving files, sending messages, making API calls, or any other supported operation.

Actions provide a way for Power Platform applications to manipulate data, perform operations, or trigger processes in the connected system. Users can configure actions within workflows or business processes to automate tasks and integrate systems seamlessly.

Inputs and Outputs

Inputs and outputs define the data that flows into and out of the connector actions. Inputs specify the parameters or values required to perform an action, such as record IDs, field values, or configuration settings. Outputs represent the results or data returned by the action, such as retrieved records, success or error messages, or other relevant information.

Inputs and outputs define the structure and format of the data exchanged between the connector and the connected system, ensuring that information is correctly passed and processed. Users can map inputs and outputs to variables, fields, or other data elements within Power Platform applications.

Connect to Common Data Service

Many connectors also have built-in functionality to connect directly to Dataverse (formerly Common Data Service). This capability allows users to integrate Power Platform applications with the data stored in Dataverse, leveraging the features and capabilities of Dataverse entities, fields, and relationships seamlessly.

By connecting to Dataverse, users can perform operations like creating, updating, or retrieving records within the Dataverse environment. This enables the creation of end-to-end solutions that incorporate data and processes from various systems and the core Dataverse platform.

In summary, the components of a connector include connections, triggers, actions, inputs and outputs, and the ability to connect to Common Data Service. These components enable users to integrate Power Platform applications with external systems, services, and data sources, creating robust and scalable solutions that span multiple platforms and provide seamless user experiences.