Tools for map development

Table 3 shows the two graphical design tools of mapping.

Table 3. Principal components of data mapping system
Design tool Mapping component Description
Map Designer Express Map Uses Java code to specify how to transform attributes from one or more source business objects to one or more destination business objects. You typically create one map for each source business object you want to transform, though you can also break up a map into several submaps.
Relationship Designer Express Relationship Establishes an association between two or more data entities in the Map Development system. Relationship definitions most often associate two or more business objects. You use relationship definitions to transform data that is equivalent across business objects but is represented differently. For example, a state code for the state of Michigan might be represented as MI in one application and MICH in another. This data is equivalent but is represented differently in each application. Most maps use one, or a few, relationship definitions.

These graphical tools run on Windows 2000 and Windows XP. Therefore, these platforms are for map development.

System Manager is an additional tool that is provided for map development. It provides graphical windows to configure a map instance as well as configure a relationship object.

Map Designer Express

Map Designer Express creates and compiles maps. You can launch Map Designer Express from System Manager by selecting Map Designer Express from the Tools menu. For other ways to launch Map Designer Express, see "Starting Map Designer Express".. Map Designer Express provides a tab window to view map information. This window displays one of four tabs: Table tab, Diagram tab, Messages tab, or Test tab.

Figure 3 shows a map displayed in the Diagram tab of Map Designer Express.

Figure 3. Map Designer Express

For information on how to use Map Designer Express to create a map, see Creating maps.

Relationship Designer Express

Relationship Designer Express creates relationship definitions and the table schemas that store the run-time relationship instance data. You can launch Relationship Designer Express from System Manager by selecting Relationship Designer Express from the Tools menu. Figure 4 shows several relationships displayed in Relationship Designer Express.

Figure 4. Relationship Designer Express

For more information on how to use Relationship Designer Express, see Creating relationship definitions.

System Manager

System Manager is a graphical tool that provides an interface to InterChange Server Express and the repository. System Manager provides the means to manage maps and configure a map definition. You can:

For more information on how to use System Manager to perform these mapping tasks, see the User Guide for WebSphere Business Integration Express for Item Synchronization.

Note:
System Manager provides ways to start up Map Designer Express. For more information, see Starting Map Designer Express..

System Manager also provides the means to manage relationships. You can:

Note:
System Manager also provides ways to start up Relationship Designer Express. For more information, see Starting Relationship Designer Express..

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