Meta-data-driven connector design

The connector is a meta-data-driven connector. In WebSphere Business Integration Adapter business objects, meta-data is data about the application that is stored in a business object and that assists the connector to interact with an application. A meta-data-driven connector handles each business object that it supports based on meta-data encoded in the business object definition rather than on instructions hardcoded in the connector.

Business object meta-data includes the structure of a business object, the settings of its attribute properties, and the content of its application-specific text. Because the connector is meta-data driven, it can handle new or modified business objects without requiring modifications to the connector code.

When processing business objects, the connector makes assumptions about the:

Therefore, when you create or modify a business object for Clarify CRM, 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.

The following sections provide information on implementing business objects for Clarify CRM.

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