## Connecting patterns to make a route

### Overview

Until the patterns on the canvas (referred to as nodes) are connected, they do not constitute a route. The editor does not save a `route` element in the context file until all nodes are linked together to form a complete route. A complete route typically consists of a starting endpoint, a string of processing nodes, and one or more destination endpoints.

Connecting two nodes on the canvas is as simple as dragging a line from one to the other. Each node has a connector arrow. Selecting a node and dragging its connector arrow to a target node establishes a connection between the two nodes.

### Procedure

To connect two nodes:

1. On the canvas, select the source node to display its connector arrow.

2. Click-drag the source node's connector arrow () to the target node.

   The direction of the connection represents the direction messages flow between the nodes in the route.

3. While hovering over the target node, release the mouse button to drop the connector on it.

   The route editor updates the `<route>` element with the xml generated from the connection. You can view the xml in Source view.

4. When you are done, save your work by selecting File > Save from the menu bar.