Developer Tools in AIA FP 2.3 - Part 1

We wanted to emphasize on the new features and functionalities added to FP 2.3. As part of the same we would be writing a 3 part series covering new tools/features added to FP 2.3. In this part we cover XSLT Document Generator and the common pitfalls and workarounds for the same.

XLST Document Generator
1) What is the tool?
The tool helps in generating documentation relating to the mapping information in the XSL file in HTML format. The tool comes handy in creation/updating contents of design document or creating/updation of test cases. The tool provides source column, target column, DVM and Cross reference details in tabular format

2) Where to find?
The tool can be found under AIA_HOME\Developer Tools\XSLDocGen

3) How to Execute?
a) Set the environment variables by running aiaenv.sh (if not done already). aiaenv.bat can be found under "AIA_HOME\bin" folder
b) Create input folder (say D:\inDir) and place the XSL file in the folder for which you want to generate the documentation
c) Create output folder (say D:\outDir)
b) Go to "AIA_HOME\Developer Tools\XSLDocGen\bin" folder
c) Execute generateMappingDoc batch file as shown below
generateMappingDoc inputDir=D:\inDir\(name of XSL file) outputFormat=html outputDir=D:\outdir
d) The tool will generate 2 files with the extensions XML and HTML in the output directory

4) Common pitfalls
1) Batch file (generateMappingDoc) might return an error saying "AIA Home not set correctly" in which case try changing the first line of the BATCH file from
set AIA_HOME=@AIA_HOME@
to the following
set AIA_HOME=%AIA_HOME%
2) XSL file and the related files should be placed in the input directory. For instance, BillOfMaterialsListEBMToCreateBOM.xsl and BillOfMaterialsListEBMToCreateBOM_Custom.xsl should both be placed in the input directory or else you will get an error
3) Not running aiaenv batch file also will return errors

Ramesh Chandra Revuru & Srinivas Mengerthi

Thought Leadership from Sierra Atlantic on AIA

1) COLLABORATE 09 will have Sierra Atlantic present on the following topic
"Uncover design patterns in Composite Applications using Oracle AIA"
2) SCENE magazine's (UK OUG Publication) March 09 edition will carry Sierra Atlantic's article titled
"Enrich Composite Applications using AIA"

For copies of the documents, pls write to ramesh.revuru@sierraatlantic.com

Ramesh Chandra Revuru
Global Head - Integration, DW/BI & Agile

PIP - Phoenix in Paradise :-)

We have heard of ebusiness accelerators, Universal Application Networks and various other forms of pre-packged business flows in the past. So, what is new about AIA/PIP? Is it just another marketing hype from Oracle? Let's find out

1) Oracle AIA comes in 3 different flavors

• Direct integrations
• Packaged PIPs
• Foundation Pack

Which means customers are not necessarily forced to buy the business process flow as-is but can built their own business process flows using the Foundation Pack much quicker and faster

2) Oracle AIA is built using open and non-proprietary standards unlike the predecessors & competitors. Uses best practices and industry standards as applicable, provides a pre-built business object and service library, completely decoupled and application independent

3) Oracle AIA leverages the SOA suite there by providing breadth and depth to business process development/management, messaging, connectors and service governance through policy enforcement.

4) Oracle AIA provides easily extensible framework that allows customizations of the artifacts provided by Oracle like EBO, EBS and routing rules.

Considering the above AIA/PIP is definitely is not "old wine in new bottle".

Its probably PIP (Phoenix In Paradise - Cocktail of Vodka, Cranberry)!

Ramesh Chandra Revuru

Global Head - Integration, DW/BI & Agile