A connector is a proxy or a wrapper around an API that allows the underlying service to talk to Microsoft Flow, PowerApps and Logic Apps. It provides a way for users to connect their accounts and leverage a set of pre-built actions and triggers to build their apps and workflows.
Our large ecosystem of software as a service (SaaS) connectors enable you to connect apps, data and devices in the cloud. Examples of popular connectors include Salesforce, Office 365, Twitter, Dropbox, Google services, and more.
Components of a Connector
Each connector offers a set of operations classified as 'Actions' and 'Triggers'. Once you connect to the underlying service, these operations can be easily leveraged within your apps and workflows.
Actions
Actions are changes directed by a user. For example, you would use an action to look up, write, update, or delete data in a SQL database. All actions directly map to operations defined in the Swagger.
Triggers
Several connectors provide triggers that can notify your app when specific events occur. For example, the FTP connector has the OnUpdatedFile trigger. You can build either a Logic App or Flow that listens to this trigger and performs an action whenever the trigger fires.
There are two types of trigger.
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Polling Triggers: These triggers call your service at a specified frequency to check for new data. When new data is available, it causes a new run of your workflow instance with the data as input.
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Push Triggers: These triggers listen for data on an endpoint, that is, they wait for an event to occur. The occurrence of this event causes a new run of your workflow instance.
Note : Triggers are not supported in PowerApps. Learn how to start a flow in an app.
Using Connectors
Connectors are available for use within multiple products.
Microsoft Flow
Work smarter by building workflows and automating processes across your apps and services. Streamline notifications, sync data between systems, automate approval and more.
Learn how to build flows and manage your connections.
PowerApps
PowerApps enables users to build cloud connected and cross platform business apps using clicks and minimal code. Create rich user experiences across the web, phones and tablets. Assemble forms, add business logic, and take advantage of device capabilities with full creative freedom.
Learn how to create an app from scratch, use the formula builder and manage your connections.
Logic Apps
Logic Apps is the workflow engine for Flow. It enables pro-developers to visually create or programmatically configure workflows in Azure. A connector in Logic Apps enables users to automate EAI, Business to business (B2B) and Business to consumer (B2C) scenarios while reaping the benefits of source control, testing, support, and operations.
In Logic Apps, you can use enterprise connectors to create logic app workflows and automate processes between cloud apps and cloud services.
Custom connectors
We offer a wide variety of connectors, but sometimes you might want to call APIs, services, and systems that aren't available as prebuilt connectors. To support more tailored scenarios, you can build custom connectors with their own triggers and actions. These connectors are function-based - data is returned based on calling specific functions in the underlying service. For more information, see Custom connectors overview.
Source: Microsoft