A split/merge allows you to either splits a flow into several flows so that it can send data to different destinations, or merges flows from different sources into one flow.
A split/merge that sends data to several destinations has a single incoming flow and multiple outgoing flows. It can mean that a complex packet of data is being split into several more elementary data packets. Each of which is being sent to different parts of the system. It can also mean that duplicate copies of data packets are being sent to different parts of the system, for example.
The following example shows a split/merge with a single incoming flow and multiple outgoing flows:
A split/merge that joins flows from different sources has multiple incoming flows and a single outgoing flow. It means that several data packets are joining together to form more complex packets of data.
The following example shows a split/merge with multiple incoming and a single outgoing flow:
Flows outgoing from split/merges can go to data stores, processes and other split/merges.
You design a split /merge using a synchronization object with a Split/Merge stereotype.