Different types of step analyzers

In the process of implementing custom step analyzers, we discovered a few generic patterns based on the type of step.

• First, there are the traditional steps which just take some input fields, manipulate them in some fashion, and then output them.

• The second type are the input and output steps. These steps use an external resource (file, database, web service, etc) to read or write data.

• The last is a more specific type of the second, and one which requires a logical connection to an external resource, typically a database or noSQL data store.

These patterns are the basis for the three main base classes you might consider extending when implementing a custom step analyzer.