Using variables to enrich messages

Certain integration patterns have both in and out flows, and it is possible for ICS to enrich the response message with information in the request message. This can be achieved because the request message is held as a variable in the integration. Currently, the use of variables only appears in the Basic Map Data pattern, but we will see the capability appear in other patterns where appropriate, soon enough.

We can use this capability to enrich the response with part of the request. This makes it possible to address situations where the requester wants to work in a stateless manner (that is, does not keep track of what was requested between the call and the response. As is the case in the REST architectural style).

To demonstrate this, we will create a scenario where a web service is offered and allows a status request for the position information of a flight, but assumes the caller is context-aware. But we want to return to the originator sufficient information...