Glossary

Functions

A function is a single user-configured operation they can run through bem. At the moment, we have four types of functions currently available in our API:

• route - Supports both stochastic classifications of inputs in addition to deterministic pattern matching for routing to the next transform function call or external endpoint (future)
• transform - 1:1 transformation of a single input to a single structured output
• split - 1:N transformation of a single input into multiple structured outputs, with each semantically split component routed to its respective transform function
• join - N:1 transformation merging multiple inputs into a single output to transform

Events

An event is the instance of a single function call, regardless of the function type. Subscriptions output events when a function call has completed.

Pipeline

A pipeline is functionally equivalent to a transform function. Pipelines will be deprecated late Summer 2025 as the bem platform fully transitions to functions and workflows.

Transformation

A transformation is the output of a transform, split, or join function. It is the resulting data structure adhering to the outputSchema specified in the transformation's respective function.