What does it mean when a subprocess is encapsulated?

When a subprocess is described as encapsulated, it signifies that it functions as a distinct part of a larger process. This encapsulation allows the subprocess to be initiated and executed within the context of the larger process while maintaining its own set of operations and logic.

Encapsulation is a fundamental concept in process design as it promotes modularity. By encapsulating subprocesses, designers can make processes more manageable and easier to understand. Each subprocess can be developed, tested, and updated independently before being integrated into the larger workflow.

In this context, encapsulation allows the larger process to call upon the subprocess when necessary, leveraging its functionality without exposing its internal workings. This concept is crucial in ensuring that complex processes remain organized and can be modified without affecting the entire system.

The other choices reflect relationships or conditions that do not capture the essence of encapsulation in process design. For example, being related to another subprocess or being independent in a way doesn't convey the integral aspect of a subprocess being a functional component of a larger whole. This highlights why the notion of encapsulation directly ties back to the concept of being part of a larger process structure.