After you add a form and map the interface's rule inputs to node inputs, will the new data be saved into process variables automatically?

When you add a form and map the interface's rule inputs to the node inputs within the context of an Appian process model, the new data will not be saved into process variables automatically. This is because the mapping of inputs from an interface to process variables requires an explicit action to capture data transfer.

In Appian, process variables are designed to hold values selectively and rely on specific nodes such as "Write to Data Store Entity," "Save Data," or similar, to write data to those variables. Until such a node is executed and configured to take the inputs you've defined in the interface, the process variables remain unchanged. The process model’s design is intentional in this regard to avoid unexpected overwriting of data, thereby allowing developers better control over when and how data is saved.

It's also crucial to note that while the mapping establishes a connection for potential data flow, the actual saving of data is contingent on additional steps within the process model, confirming the importance of deliberate configuration in application development.