Creating business objects

This topic contains an overview and a procedure for creating definitions for business objects.

Overview of creating business objects

After installing the connector, you must create definitions for business objects. There are no requirements regarding the structure of the business objects other than those imposed by the configured data handler and by attributes in the meta-object. When you decide on the data format for your connector, you must configure a suitable data handler and generate conforming business objects.

The WebSphere Business Integration Message Broker provides native support for XML messages. In fact, the Adapter for WebSphere Business Integration Message Broker is configured, by default, for an XML data handler. This means that the adapter uses the XML data handler for business object-to-message and message-to-business object conversion.

Note:
You can use any available non-XML data handler, or build a custom data handler, to support message and business object requirements. You then configure the data handler for use with the connector, and modify the message flows accordingly. For further information on available and custom data handlers, see the Data Handler Guide. For further information on configuring a data handler for use with the adapter and modifying the message flows, see Configuring a data handler.

To construct business objects for use with the XML data handler, you use the XML Object Discovery Agent (ODA). The XML ODA generates business object definitions for an XML document based on either its DTD or schema document. These business objects can then be used with the adapter. Samples shipped with the WebSphere Business Integration Message Broker adapter provide files that are configured to use the XML data handler for business object conversion.

Note:
The business objects that the connector processes can have any name allowed by the integration broker. For more on naming conventions for InterChange Server, see Naming IBM WebSphere InterChange Server Components.

Steps for creating business objects

Before you begin: You must identify the data format (XML, for example) for the messages and business objects that the connector will exchange.

To create business objects for the connector perform the following steps:

  1. Use an Object Discovery Agent (ODA) (if available) to generate the business object definitions. For example, to create business objects for a connector configured to exchange XML messages, you would use the XML ODA. For further information, see the Data Handler Guide.
  2. Use Business Object Designer, as needed, to modify or add to information generated by the ODA. For further information, see the Business Object Development Guide.

Note:
If an ODA is not available for your data format, you can create definitions for business objects by using Business Object Designer. For further information, see the Business Object Development Guide.

After creating business object definitions, you then use Connector Configurator to add them to the list of those supported by the connector. For further information on using Connector Configurator, see Configuring a data handler.

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