Where are the values of screen variables and widgets preserved?

The correct answer is that the values of screen variables and widgets are preserved at the destination, which refers specifically to the current screen.

When navigating between screens in OutSystems, the platform manages the state of screen variables and widgets, ensuring that they retain their values until the user either refreshes the page or navigates away. This means that upon reaching the destination screen after executing client actions or navigation flows, the screen variables and widgets reflect the last stored values, allowing for continuity in user experience and process management.

In more detail, the destination screen is where the screen's context truly takes shape, and it is here that elements such as screen variables start with values defined at their initialization. If the transition to another screen occurs, the values of these elements are not lost due to protection mechanisms intrinsic to the platform, which are keen on providing a smooth flow of data and maintaining user interactions.

Understanding this concept is crucial for maintaining state across user interactions in web applications built on OutSystems. Thus, recognizing how and where values are preserved directly impacts the development and user experience within applications.