Defining connector metadata

The i2 connector is metadata-driven. In the WebSphere business integration system, metadata is application-specific information that is stored in a business object and that helps the connector interact with the application. A metadata-driven connector handles each business object that it supports based on the metadata encoded in the business object definition rather than on instructions hardcoded in the connector. Business object metadata includes the structure of the business object, the settings of its attribute properties, and the content of its application-specific information. Because the connector is metadata-driven, it can handle new or modified business objects without requiring modifications to the connector code.

The connector makes assumptions about the structure of its supported business objects, the relationships between parent and child business objects, and the format of the application-specific information.

Therefore, when you create or modify a business object, your modifications must conform to the rules the connector is designed to follow, or the connector will not be able to process new or modified business objects correctly.

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