How can a flow pass outputs back to the calling process?

A flow can pass outputs back to the calling process by defining output variables in the flow that can be referenced upon completion. This mechanism allows the flow to encapsulate specific results or data that may be needed by the process that initiated it. When a flow is called, and it completes its execution, these defined output variables can be utilized by the calling process, enabling seamless data exchange and integration.

Output variables serve as structured data points that can be easily referenced within the flow designer. They provide a clear method for the flow to convey relevant information back to the part of the system that triggered it. This feature is essential for ensuring that processes can be interconnected and that the flow's results can influence further actions or decisions.

Other methods mentioned, such as creating data transformation scripts or using custom notifications, do not directly facilitate the return of processed data back to the calling process in the same way defined output variables do. These alternatives might serve different purposes but lack the specific focus on returning variable data from a flow. Additionally, initiating a separate flow process does not inherently include returning data to the caller; rather, it simply starts another flow without a direct mechanism for output sharing.