Oracle Fusion Weblog

Fusion Development demo

2010-02-15T13:18:00.000-08:00

Please view this demo for developing fusion applications declaratively using Jdeveloper 11g.

Oracle Fusion Siebel Integration Demo

2010-02-15T12:47:00.000-08:00

If you are interested to learn how to integrate to Siebel system using fusion middleware, you can view this demo.

Calling BPEL from an ADF application

2010-02-02T16:41:00.000-08:00

Susan Duncan has published a demo on how to call BPEL process from an ADF application.
Happy Learning !!!

No BPEL Process Deployed Is Visible In BPEL Console On Container Restart

2010-01-29T12:18:00.000-08:00

Symptoms
You have deployed one or more BPEL projects which runs successfully.
You restart the BPEL container and you do not see any previously deployed projects in BPEL Console.
The BPEL domain log has following error:


<2008-11-20 12:42:36,099>   
*****************************************************************************
Loading processes for BPEL domain "default" ...

08/11/20 12:42:36 java.lang.IncompatibleClassChangeError
08/11/20 12:42:36       at com.collaxa.cube.engine.deployment.DeploymentManager.loadAllProcesses(DeploymentManager.java:227)
08/11/20 12:42:36       at com.collaxa.cube.engine.CubeEngine.loadAllProcesses(CubeEngine.java:957)
08/11/20 12:42:36       at com.collaxa.cube.admin.ServerManager.loadProcesses(ServerManager.java:313)
08/11/20 12:42:36       at com.collaxa.cube.admin.ServerManager.loadProcesses(ServerManager.java:279)
08/11/20 12:42:36       at com.collaxa.cube.ejb.impl.ServerBean.loadProcesses(ServerBean.java:273)
08/11/20 12:42:36       at sun.reflect.NativeMethodAccessorImpl.invoke0(Native Method)
08/11/20 12:42:36       at sun.reflect.NativeMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(NativeMethodAccessorImpl.java:39)
08/11/20 12:42:36       at sun.reflect.DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.java:25)
08/11/20 12:42:36       at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:585)
08/11/20 12:42:36       at com.evermind.server.ejb.interceptor.joinpoint.EJBJoinPointImpl.invoke(EJBJoinPointImpl.java:35)
08/11/20 12:42:36       at com.evermind.server.ejb.interceptor.InvocationContextImpl.proceed(InvocationContextImpl.java:119)
08/11/20 12:42:36       at com.evermind.server.ejb.interceptor.system.DMSInterceptor.invoke(DMSInterceptor.java:52)
08/11/20 12:42:36       at com.evermind.server.ejb.interceptor.InvocationContextImpl.proceed(InvocationContextImpl.java:119)
08/11/20 12:42:36       at com.evermind.server.ejb.interceptor.system.JAASInterceptor$1.run(JAASInterceptor.java:31)
08/11/20 12:42:36       at com.evermind.server.ThreadState.runAs(ThreadState.java:693)
08/11/20 12:42:36       at com.evermind.server.ejb.interceptor.system.JAASInterceptor.invoke(JAASInterceptor.java:34)
2008-11-20 12:42:36,102>    Failed to load processes for domain default

Changes
You apply any MLR patch to upgrade BPEL.

Cause
You have some classes in the classpath, whose class definition is not compatible with the currently executing method. This is likely if you have in the past applied any test patch provided by development under $ORACLE_HOME/bpel/system/classes directory. The class files placed in this directory overrides the same class in other location causing the incompatibility.

Solution
1.Stop the container running BPEL
2.Delete the classes under $ORACLE_HOME/bpel/system/classes
3.Start the BPEL container.

BPEL Console isn't accesible if the BPEL domain name has mixed or upper case

2010-01-29T12:13:00.000-08:00

Symptoms
When a BPEL domain is created using mixed or upper case in his name, the BPEL Console is inaccesible for the user.

Cause
The problem is caused because BPEL don't support the creation of domains using mixed or upper case in names. Since the domain names are used in the directory structure, and different Operating Systems handle case differently (Windows is case insensitive, while Unix and Linux are case sensitive), it is not possible to allow mixed or upper case names.

Some additional information about errors:

1.- Create two domains using capital letters, for example, 'DEV' and 'QA', then login to BPEL console,the following error occurs (Metalink Note 428317.1).

ERROR
OracleJSP: java.io.FileNotFoundException

2.- Created a new domain, with a domain name beginning with UPPERCASE letters.
When attempting to log into the BPEL Console the login failed and received the following error in the domain.log (Metalink Note 423058.1):

(Note the domain name searched is "dave" when the actual domain created was "DAVE")


<2007-04-10 13:52:58,453>    GOT CONNECTION 3 Autocommit = false
<2007-04-10 13:52:58,468>    CLOSE CONNECTION 2
<2007-04-10 13:53:14,890>    Error while invoking bean "finder": Cannot lookup BPEL domain.
The BPEL domain "dave" cannot be found; the domain may not have initialized properly.
Please verify that the BPEL domain loader has a valid set of initialization properties in the application properties file.

ORABPEL-02052

Cannot lookup BPEL domain.
The BPEL domain "dave" cannot be found; the domain may not have initialized properly.
Please verify that the BPEL domain loader has a valid set of initialization properties in the application properties file.

at com.collaxa.cube.engine.CubeEngineHolder.getStatus(CubeEngineHolder.java:41)
at com.collaxa.cube.engine.CubeEngineHolder.getEngine(CubeEngineHolder.java:52)

Solution
Create your domain using lower case.
It was determined that instead of trying to make a generic fix for all platforms, it would be much safer to pull patch 5851215, and require that all domains only be created in lower case.

BPEL Process - Operation "Initiate" Does Not Appear In BPEL Console

2010-01-29T12:08:00.000-08:00

Symptoms
When you upgrade or update MLR patchsets to SOA suite you might encounter this problem, where some of the already deployed BPEL processes may not show the "Initiate" operation in the Operation drop-down of the BPEL Console.

Cause
The cause for this issue could be due to the runtime WSDL files in the WSDL cache were corrupted during the upgrade.

Solution
Clear the WSDL cache.

Follow the steps below:
1. Stop the SOA server.
2. Navigate to \bpel\domains\<Domain>\tmp\
3. Delete all the .<Directories>. (There will be a dot in front of all these directories)
4. Start SOA Server.

You can also achieve the above from the BPEL console. Navigate to Administration tab --> Actions --> Press the "Clear WSDL Cache" button.

BPEL Process Unable To Render HTML Or XML Form In Initiate Tab Of BPEL Console, When Using anySimpleType Element Type In Schema

2010-01-29T12:05:00.000-08:00

Symptoms
You have a BPEL process that uses a schema with a element type anySimpleType. When you try to initiate the process from the BPEL console, the Initiate tab does not render the HTML or the XML input fields or form.

Solution
Apply Patch.8763870

XMLDOMException when using database adapter and bpel java embeded activity

2010-01-29T12:00:00.000-08:00

Symptoms
BPEL Process Manager - Version: 10.1.3.1
When using a database adapter with a bpelx:exec activity, the following error message occurs when running the process.


 

 error thrown
oracle.xml.parser.v2.XMLDOMException: invalid namespace for prefix xmlns
at oracle.xml.util.XMLUtil.validateQualifiedName(XMLUtil.java:520)
at oracle.xml.parser.v2.XMLDocument.createAttributeNS(XMLDocument.java:2166)
at oracle.xml.parser.v2.XMLAttr.xdkCopyNode(XMLAttr.java:1322)
at oracle.xml.parser.v2.XMLElement.xdkCopyNode(XMLElement.java:3527)
at oracle.xml.parser.v2.XMLDocument.xdkCopyNode(XMLDocument.java:1222)
at oracle.xml.parser.v2.XMLNode.cloneNode(XMLNode.java:879)

This error occurs when bpelx:exec is added to BPEL process.

Cause
The problem is due to a bug. The XML format in which the database adapter generated an XML message was not correct. The database adapter used DOM API Level 1. The fix included a change to API level 2.

Solution
Apply Patch 5664594.

Error While Inserting Data into Database, BPEL Reading Data From CSV File

2010-01-29T11:46:00.000-08:00

Symptoms
Using BPEL, reading a CSV file and inserting the data read from CSV file into any database and you notice errors such as below:


Caused by: org.collaxa.thirdparty.apache.wsif.WSIFException: 
file:/F:/product/10.1.3.1/OracleAS/bpel/domains/default/tmp/.bpel_LegalBInbound_1.2_a9794a68a9df7003 
9198a32c72b8581c.tmp/InsertData_To_F58LEGAL.wsdl 
[InsertData-To-F58LEGAL_ptt::insert(F58legalCollection) ] - WSIF JCA Execute of operation 'insert' 
failed due to: DBWriteInteractionSpec Execute Failed Exception. 
insert failed. Descriptor name: [InsertDataToF58LEGAL.F58legal]. [Caused by: [SQL7008] F58LEGAL in 
TNPIDTA not valid for operation.] 
; nested exception is: 
ORABPEL-11616 
DBWriteInteractionSpec Execute Failed Exception. 
insert failed. Descriptor name: [InsertDataToF58LEGAL.F58legal]. [Caused by: [SQL7008] F58LEGAL in 
TNPIDTA not valid for operation.] 
Caused by Exception [TOPLINK-4002] (Oracle TopLink - 10g Release 3 (10.1.3.1.0) (Build 061004)): 
oracle.toplink.exceptions.DatabaseException 
Internal Exception: java.sql.BatchUpdateException: [SQL7008] F58LEGAL in TNPIDTA not valid for 
operation.Error Code: -7008. 

at 
oracle.tip.adapter.fw.wsif.jca.WSIFOperation_JCA.executeRequestResponseOperation(WSIFOperation_JCA.j 
ava:623) 
at 
oracle.tip.adapter.fw.wsif.jca.WSIFOperation_JCA.executeInputOnlyOperation(WSIFOperation_JCA.java:72 
6) 
at com.collaxa.cube.ws.WSIFInvocationHandler.invoke(WSIFInvocationHandler.java:425)

Steps to reproduce
1. Write a simple SQL statement such as:
insert into emp (empno, empname) values(123,'Ranajit,Sahoo')
and try executing the statement with BPEL SQL worksheet.
This should work fine.
2. Create a simple BPEL process with a receive, invoke, database adapter and reply nodes
3. In the database adapter wizard choose simple SQL statement as your option and use the above SQL statement.
4. Click OK in the database adapter wizard, compile, deploy and initiate the process.
You get the ORABPEL-11616 error.

Cause
The problem might be that the CSV file has single quotes around the alphanumeric fields. This problem here has nothing to do with how the database is setup.

According to CSV file standards, BPEL does not count single quotes as the wrapper for the fields. BPEL considers double quotes as the field wrapper.

Example of how BPEL interprets Quotes:

Input ---> output or result
'rs123'---> read as 'rs123'. Not that the single quotes stick with the value.
'rs,123'---> read as 'rs and 123' these are considered to be two different fields.
"rs123"---> read as rs123. Note that the double quotes do not stick with the value.
"rs,123"--->read as rs,123 this is one field, here it does not read the value as tow different fields.

Solution
The solution is not to use single quotes as the field wrapper instead use double quotes to wrap the field, If required in the CSV file.

Custom JSP Fails To Execute BPEL Process

2010-01-29T11:38:00.000-08:00

When running a custom application with a jsp calling a bpel processs, got 500 Internal Server Error..


"ejb/collaxa/system/DomainManagerBean" bean; exception reported is:
"javax.naming.NameNotFoundException: ejb/collaxa/system/DomainManagerBean not found
at com.evermind[Oracle Application Server Containers for J2EE 10g
(10.1.2.0.2)].server.rmi.RMIContext.lookup(RMIContext.java:164)
at com.evermind[Oracle Application Server Containers for J2EE 10g
(10.1.2.0.2)].server.ApplicationContext.lookup(ApplicationContext.java:333)
at com.evermind[Oracle Application Server Containers for J2EE 10g
(10.1.2.0.2)].server.ApplicationContext.lookup(ApplicationContext.java:120)
at javax.naming.InitialContext.lookup(InitialContext.java:347)
at com.oracle.bpel.client.util.BeanRegistry.lookupDomainManagerBean(BeanRegistry.java:218)
at com.oracle.bpel.client.auth.DomainAuthFactory.authenticate(DomainAuthFactory.java:83)
at com.oracle.bpel.client.Locator.(Locator.java:140)
at com.oracle.bpel.client.taglibs.LocatorTag.doStartTag(LocatorTag.java:73)
at _Vacation__Request__Submit._jspService(Vacation_Request_Submit.jsp:2)
[/Vacation_Request_Submit.jsp]

Cause
Custom application does not have permission to access bpel engine because bpel engine is not specified as a parent application.

Solution
To implement the solution, please execute the following steps:

1. stop oc4j container.
2. In the sever.xml change from
<application name="your_application" path="../applications/your_application.ear" />
to <application name="your_application" path="../applications/your_application.ear" parent="orabpel" auto-start="true" />

3. save the file and run
dcmctl updateconfig -ct oc4j

4. delete the your_application folder under both
OC4J_BPEL/applications and
OC4J_BPEL/applications-deployments

5. Restart OC4J_BPEL container.
At this moment both folders should be recreated and this approach should resolve
"javax.naming.NameNotFoundException: ejb/collaxa/system/DomainManagerBean not found" error.

Changing Password For Bpel Console User Oc4jadmin

2010-01-29T11:36:00.000-08:00

You attempted to change the password for BPEL Console user oc4jadmin by clicking the Setup link in the top right corner of the Application Server Control screen but you cannot connect to the BPEL Console with the new password.

How do you change the password for BPEL Console user oc4jadmin?

Solution
The Setup link is used to change the password for the oc4jadmin user for Application Server Control.

You change the BPEL Console oc4jadmin user password as follows:

1. Connect to Application Server Control.
2. Click OC4J instance name where bpel is running. For example, oc4j_soa for an advanced
installation.
3.Click Administration link.
4. Click Go to Task icon for Security Providers task.
5. Click Instance Level Security.
6. Click Realms link.
7. Click number link under Users.
8. Now search for oc4jadmin in list and click it to change the password for BPEL Console.

The user bpeladmin can be changed here as well.

Deploying BPEL Process Using Ant Script Throws Error: java.lang.OutOfMemoryError: PermGen space

2010-01-29T11:33:00.000-08:00

Symptoms
When deploying BPEL processes via 'Ant' throws error:
java.lang.OutOfMemoryError: PermGen space

Cause
When running Ant task, Ant runs on a separate JVM to that of OC4J container. Therefore any tuning performed via opmn.xml file does not come into effect.

Solution
set the environment variable ANT_OPTS as below before running Ant script:

Linux: ANT_OPTS=”-XX:MaxPermSize=128m –Xms64m –Xmx512m”; export ANT_OPTS

Windows: Set ANT_OPTS=”-XX:MaxPermSize=128m –Xms64m –Xmx512m”

ORABPEL-09903 Error Occurs When Deploying BPEL Process With an Oracle Apps Adapter

2010-01-29T11:29:00.000-08:00

Symptoms
On JDeveloper 10.1.3.3 When attempting to deploy a BPEL process with an Oracle Apps Adapter in it,the following error occurs:


BUILD FAILED
C:\Source\BPEL\ERPDEV_Test\build.xml:79: A problem occured while connecting to server "test01"
using port "8889": bpel_ERPDEV_Test_1.0.jar failed to deploy. Exception message is: ORABPEL-09903
Could not initialize activation agent.
An error occured while initializing an activation agent for process "Test", revision "1.0".
Please ensure that the activation agents are configured correctly in the bpel deployment
descriptor (bpel.xml).
oracle.tip.adapter.fw.agent.jca.JCAActivationAgent: java.lang.reflect.InvocationTargetException

Steps To Reproduce
The issue can be reproduced at will with the following steps:
Using JDeveloper 10.1.3.3 create a BPEL Process that uses an Oracle Apps Adapter to capture EBS Events. Design time is fine, It connects to the Integration Reporitory and allows you to select the correct Business Event. During deployment however you receive an Activation Agent Error message

Cause
The apps adapter that comes with JDeveloper 10.1.3.3 adds a new jca property called
AppsEventSchema, this property is not recognized in BPEL 10.1.3.1. So deployment fails when using JDeveloper 10.1.3.3 to deploy on 10.1.3.1 BPEL Server.

Solution


1. Download and review the readme and pre-requisites for Patch 6148874 (patchset 10.1.3.3)
2. Ensure that you have taken a backup of your system before applying the recommended patch.
3. Apply the patch in a test environment.
4. Download and review the readme and pre-requisites for Patch 6267726
5. Apply Patch 6267726 in a test environment.
6. Retest the issue.
7. Migrate the solution as appropriate to other environments.



ORABPEL-12517 Endpoint Activation Error When Deploying a BPEL Project via JDeveloper
2010-01-29T11:09:00.000-08:00
Symptoms
You encounter this error while deploying a BPEL Project via JDeveloper


Error while notifying observer class com.collaxa.cube.admin.adaptors.platform.PlatformAdaptor_oc4j_10g$1 with aspect class com.collaxa.cube.admin.observer.DomainInitAspect
oracle.classloader.util.AnnotatedNoClassDefFoundError:

The missing class is available from the following locations:

1. Code-Source: HOME/lib/dms.jar (from (ignore manifest Class-Path) in META-INF/boot.xml in HOME/j2ee/home/oc4j.jar)
This code-source is available in loader oracle.dms:3.0.

java.lang.reflect.InvocationTargetException
at sun.reflect.NativeMethodAccessorImpl.invoke0(Native Method)
at sun.reflect.NativeMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(NativeMethodAccessorImpl.java:39)
at sun.reflect.DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.java:25)
Caused by: ORABPEL-12517
AdapterFrameworkImpl::endpointActivation - Endpoint Activation Error.
The Resource Adapter was unable to activate the endpoint :{} due to the following reason: ORABPEL-12510
Unable to locate the JCA Resource Adapter via WSDL port element jca:address.

ORABPEL-09903

Could not initialize activation agent.
An error occured while initializing an activation agent for process.Please ensure that the activation agents are configured correctly in the bpel deployment descriptor (bpel.xml).
oracle.tip.adapter.fw.agent.jca.JCAActivationAgent: java.lang.reflect.InvocationTargetException


Cause
<import-shared-library name="oracle.dms"/> tag was missing in the ORACLE_HOME\j2ee\oc4j_soa\config\server.xml file.

Solution
Add <import-shared-library name="oracle.dms"/>to shared-library section in ORACLE_HOME\j2ee\oc4j_soa\config\server.xml file.



Calls to SOA Services Show Timeout Errors and no more BPEL Instances are Created
2010-01-29T11:02:00.000-08:00
Symptoms
When using SOA Suite Services like Applications Adapters and Database Adapters, after some running time all services stop and the application that make calls to these SOA services start to show timeout error.When checking the BPEL console, you can observed that no instance is generated.

Using AS Control you can observe that in the metrics of connection pool "Threads waiting connections" values are increasing and no more new connection is possible.

Checking the data-sources.xml file we can see that the connection pools define for several of these connections have the following attributes defined:

 
.... 


Restarting the SOA Suite solves the issue.

Cause
The issue is caused by JDBC Bug 5842387 - THREADS LEAK WHEN CONNECTION CACHE ABANDON TIMEOUT IS ENABLED

The issue happens when the abandon time thread is locked while trying to close a connection (which is in use).
All subsequent threads which are requesting a connection will be locked. And, the oc4j container will have an increase of number of threads waiting to get a connection.

Solution
Option I
Implement the workaround which suggest NOT using attribute abandoned-connection-timeout for the data source.
Option II
Apply the patch 3438755.


How to set a timeout for a Partner Link / WebService in a BPEL
2010-01-29T10:55:00.000-08:00
Modify partnerLinkBinding section in bpel.xml as follows

 
  5 
  false 
  




BPEL Server hangs due to "java.lang.OutOfMemoryError"
2010-01-29T10:28:00.000-08:00
Symptoms
The BPEL server  hangs and a java.lang.OutOfMemoryError is displayed in the domain.log file.

You will see the following stack trace in the domain.log


 failed to handle message
javax.ejb.EJBException: Transaction was rolled back: java.lang.OutOfMemoryError; nested
exception
is: java.rmi.RemoteException: ; nested exception is:
java.lang.OutOfMemoryError
java.rmi.RemoteException: ; nested exception is:
java.lang.OutOfMemoryError
at com.evermind.server.ejb.EJBUtils.makeException(EJBUtils.java:886)
at

ICubeDeliveryLocalBean_StatelessSessionBeanWrapper16.handleInvoke(ICubeDeliveryLocalBean_StatelessSe
ssionBeanWrapper16.java:1846)
at

com.collaxa.cube.engine.dispatch.message.invoke.InvokeInstanceMessageHandler.handle(InvokeInstanceMe
ssageHandler.java:37)
...
.....
Message handle error.
An exception occurred while attempting to process the message
"com.collaxa.cube.engine.dispatch.message.invoke.InvokeInstanceMessage"; the exception is:
Transaction was rolled back: java.lang.OutOfMemoryError; nested exception is:
java.rmi.RemoteException: ; nested exception is:
java.lang.OutOfMemoryError

ORABPEL-05002

Message handle error.
An exception occurred while attempting to process the message
"com.collaxa.cube.engine.dispatch.message.invoke.InvokeInstanceMessage"; the exception is:
Transaction was rolled back: java.lang.OutOfMemoryError; nested exception is:
java.rmi.RemoteException: ; nested exception is:
java.lang.OutOfMemoryError
 

Cause
The BPEL OC4J container uses 512 MB of memory by default  512MB, which is not enough if you are running BPEL in a high load environment.

You need to increase the JVM settings. Here is are some recommendations for a Linux Box with 4GB of memory and 2 CPUs. (If you are using a different platform from Linux, these parameters may not apply.)


-Xms2048m –Xmx2048m –Xmn1024m –XX:SurvivorRatio=6 –XX:MaxPermSize=256m
 
-Xmn1228m
Garbage collector (Oracle recommends sizing the Eden space to be 60 to 70 percent of the total heap size.)

-Xms2048m
Iniatial heapsize. The heap size controls the amount of memory the JVM uses

-Xmx2048m
Maximum heapsize

Solution
To implement the solution, please execute the following steps:
1. Shut down your application server
2. Backup the \opmn\conf\opmn.xml
3. Increase the BPEL JVM settings. Edit the file \opmn\conf\opmn.xml :

3.1 Look for the OC4J_BPEL process type section
    Look for the entry
    -server -Xms256M -Xmx512M
    and replace it with
    -server -Xms2048m –Xmx2048m –Xmn1024m –XX:SurvivorRatio=6 –XX:MaxPermSize=256m


How to purge BPEL process instances manually?
2010-01-29T10:07:00.000-08:00
Please follow the steps below to purge BPEL instances.
1. Make a back up of your dehydration store.
2. Create the script purge_instances.sql 

CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE purge_instances (p_older_than IN TIMESTAMP)
AS
   CURSOR c_cube_instance (p_date TIMESTAMP)
   IS
      SELECT cikey
        FROM cube_instance
       WHERE state >= 5 AND modify_date < p_date;

   CURSOR c_invoke_message (p_date TIMESTAMP)
   IS
      SELECT message_guid
        FROM invoke_message
       WHERE state > 1 AND receive_date < p_date;

   CURSOR c_dlv_message (p_date TIMESTAMP)
   IS
      SELECT message_guid
        FROM dlv_message
       WHERE state > 1 AND receive_date < p_date;
BEGIN
   -- Delete all closed instances older than specified date
   --
   FOR r_cube_instance IN c_cube_instance (p_older_than)
   LOOP
      collaxa.delete_ci (r_cube_instance.cikey);
   END LOOP;

   -- Purge all handled invoke_messages older than specified date
   --
   FOR r_invoke_message IN c_invoke_message (p_older_than)
   LOOP
      DELETE FROM invoke_message_bin
            WHERE message_guid = r_invoke_message.message_guid;

      DELETE FROM invoke_message
            WHERE message_guid = r_invoke_message.message_guid;
   END LOOP;

   -- Purge all handled callback messages older than specified date
   --
   FOR r_dlv_message IN c_dlv_message (p_older_than)
   LOOP
      DELETE FROM dlv_message_bin
            WHERE message_guid = r_dlv_message.message_guid;

      DELETE FROM dlv_message
            WHERE message_guid = r_dlv_message.message_guid;
   END LOOP;
END purge_instances;
/

3. Connect to SQLPlus as user orabpel and run the script
    For Example:

    Declare
        P_OLDER_THAN Timestamp;
    Begin
        P_OLDER_THAN := '01/SEP/09 09:05:00 PM';

        PURGE_INSTANCES(P_OLDER_THAN => P_OLDER_THAN);
    End;



Invoking ESB Service From BPEL Fails With Error "exception on JaxRpc invoke: HTTP transport error: javax.xml.soap.SOAPException"-Metalink ID 427452.1
2010-01-29T09:10:00.001-08:00
Symptoms
When attempting to invoke an ESB Service from BPEL. BPEL Process fails at the step of invoking ESB service.

exception on JaxRpc invoke: HTTP transport error: javax.xml.soap.SOAPException:
java.security.PrivilegedActionException: javax.xml.soap.SOAPException: Message send failed:
Connection refused: connect 

Steps to reproduce
The issue can be reproduced at will with the following steps:
1. Go the URL: http://www.oracle.com/technology/products/integration/esb/index.html
2. Download ESB Example codes
3. Follow Lesson: BPEL ESB Loan Router
4. It works for SOA Basic install, but failed for advanced install

Cause
Virtualhost and port are not setup correctly for the ESB system where services are registered. This can be verified by examining the ESB service wsdl , as shown below

1. go to ESB Console -> Click ESB Service -> Definition
2. Open the Concrete WSDL URL, then verify the SOAP location and make sure it is valid.
3. If it is not setup correctly, you will get "HTTP transport error: javax.xml.soap.SOAPException"

Solution
Option I
1. Click the ESB system then configure Virtual host and Port number,
Set Virtual host to ESB Runtime Server's hostname
Set Port to ESB Runtime Server's http listening port
2. Apply the change

Option II
Use ESB bindings to invoke ESB services.
1. Login to ESB console, and click the Routing Service which BPEL is attempting to invoke.
2. Go to "Definition" tab, and uncheck "Can be invoked from an external service"
3. Click apply.
4. Go to BPEL Console and clear the WSDL Cache.
5. Restart SOA suite


BPEL / Oracle XE: ORA-12516, TNS:listener could not find available handler with matching protocol stack(Metalink ID 431422.1)
2010-01-29T09:02:00.000-08:00
Symptoms
You are using Oracle XE database for the orabpel schema, but BPEL fails frequently with the following error:
java.sql.SQLException: Listener refused the connection with the following error:
ORA-12516, TNS:listener could not find available handler with matching proto stack

Cause
The Oracle XE Database is configured by default to run only 20 or 40 PROCESSES; the maximum load for dedicated connections is determined by the PROCESSES parameter. When the listener believes the current number of connections has reached maximum load, it may set the state of the service handler for an instance to "blocked" and begin refusing incoming client connections with the error:

TNS-12516 TNS:listener could not find instance with matching protocol stack

Solution
To implement the solution, please execute the following steps to increase the number processes and sessions:

1) Connect to the XE database using the sys or system user:
sqlplus system/
2) To confirm the PROCESSES and SESSIONS values, run the following script:
sql> col name format A30
sql> col value format A30
sql> select name, value from v$parameter where name in ('processes','sessions');
3) SQL> alter system set processes=300 scope=spfile;
4) SQL> alter system set sessions=300 scope=spfile;
5) Bounce the database to reflect the changes
6) To confirm  new  values run the script (2).



How to avoid BPEL errors due to adapters response time
2010-01-29T08:27:00.000-08:00
If BPEL adapter response is slow then you may notice follwing error in the container logfile from ORACLE_HOME\opmn\logs\.

ORABPEL-05002
ORABPEL-02182
JTA transaction is not present the transaction is not in active state
Message handle error

Cause:
The adapter response time is greater than the predefined waiting time for a BPEL instance, therefore the BPEL instance does not get dehydrated in due time and fails by throwing above mentioned errors.

Solution:
Option I
Explicitely dehydrate your BPEL instance before invoking the adapter.
This can be done by inserting a Java_embedded activity before the Invoke, with this tiny java code: checkpoint();. This will dehydrate the BPEL instance after its initiation without waiting it to complete And you will see it in the BPEL Console in pending status(waiting for the adapter response).

Option II
Increase the transaction timeout values in order to make the BPEL instance to wait more time until a response returns from the adapter.

Step I: Go to Oracle_Home\j2ee\\config\transaction-manager.xml and set transaction-timeout for example to 7200 or more (default is 30).

Step II: Go to Oracle_Home\j2ee\\application-deployments\orabpel\ejb_ob_engine\orion-ejb-jar.xmla and set all transaction-timeout to 3600 or more (but less than value set in step I)

Step III: Go to Oracle_Home\bpel\domains\\config\domain.xml and set syncMaxWaitTime to 240 or more (but less than above 3600, step II, current default is 45)

Step IV (Optional): Add following properties to the partnerlink in your BPEL project, in order to make the adapter retriable:

retryInterval --30
retryMaxCount -- 20

Step V: Redeploy the BPEL project

Step VI: Restart SOA server & verify.


Calling BPEL process from java
2009-08-25T08:03:00.000-07:00
When I tried to call BPEL process from JAVA following the steps given in BPEL developer guide, I got error:
java.lang.Exception: Failed to create "ejb/collaxa/system/DeliveryBean" bean. exception reported is: "javax.naming.NoInitialContextException: Need to specify class name in environment or system property, or as an applet parameter, or in an application resource file:  java.naming.factory.initial at javax.naming.spi.NamingManager.getInitialContext(NamingManager.java:645)

Then I added code to set initial context and it worked.
I hope following example will be helpful to you.

import com.oracle.bpel.client.Locator;
import com.oracle.bpel.client.dispatch.IDeliveryService;
import com.oracle.bpel.client.NormalizedMessage;

import java.util.Hashtable;
import java.util.Map;

import javax.naming.Context;

import org.w3c.dom.Element;
import org.w3c.dom.Node;

public class BpelClient {
public BpelClient() {
}

public static void main(String[] args) {

try {
// Set Initial context
Hashtable jndi = new Hashtable();
jndi.put(Context.PROVIDER_URL, "ormi://localhost:12401/orabpel");
jndi.put(Context.INITIAL_CONTEXT_FACTORY, "com.evermind.server.rmi.RMIInitialContextFactory");
jndi.put(Context.SECURITY_PRINCIPAL, "oc4jadmin");
jndi.put(Context.SECURITY_CREDENTIALS, "welcome1");
jndi.put("dedicated.connection", "true");

//Instantiate locator
Locator locator = new Locator("default", "bpel", jndi);
IDeliveryService deliveryService = (IDeliveryService)locator.lookupService(IDeliveryService.SERVICE_NAME );

//Prepare input message
String xml = "<ssn xmlns=\"http://services.otn.com\" >111222333</ssn>";
NormalizedMessage nm = new NormalizedMessage( );
nm.addPart("payload", xml );

// Call CreditRatingService BPEL process
NormalizedMessage res =
deliveryService.request("CreditRatingService", "process", nm);
System.out.println( "BPELProcess CreditRatingService executed!" );

// Print output
Map payload = res.getPayload();
Element part = (Element)payload.get("payload");
Node outputElement = part.getFirstChild();
System.out.println("Rating: " + outputElement.getNodeValue());


} catch (Exception ex) {
ex.printStackTrace();
} finally {
}
}
}



Preventing execution of queries when page loads for first time (ADF)
2009-02-11T13:13:00.000-08:00
Sometimes you want to prevent the automatic execution of a query when page loads for first time.

To achieve this ...

In ADF 10.1.3, add ${adfFacesContext.postback == true} to refresh condition of the iterator that displays the data in your page.

In ADF 11g, add #{!adfFacesContext.initialRender} to refresh condition of the iterator that displays the data in your page.


How to prevent navigation thorugh browser back button using java script in ADF page
2009-02-10T14:12:00.001-08:00
Add the following java script to Onload attribute of afh:body tag in ADF page.

if (history.forward() != null) history.forward()


Showing confirm dialog box while cancelling transaction using java script in ADF page.
2009-02-10T12:44:00.001-08:00
We come across a situation where we need the user to confirm before cancelling a transaction or confirm before deleting a record. Following example show how to achieve that in ADF page using a java script.

Let us say user is in employee creation page and he wants to cancel and go back to home page. On clicking Cancel button, a java script dialog box appears to confirm the action.

 
Add the following java script to the Cancel button “Onclick” java script events attribute.

if (confirm('Do you want to cancel?')) {return true;}else {return false;}

If the user clicks OK then Cancel button’s action will be called else Cancel button’s action will be ignored.

Pretty simple……..




Best AJAX-based solution award goes to Oracle
2009-02-02T13:35:00.000-08:00
SYS-CON Events offered all delegates at the 6th International AJAXWorld Conference & Expo in San Jose, CA, the opportunity to cast their vote for their favorite AJAX, RIA and Open Source technology provider in five highly competitive categories. The results have been announced, and they are as follows:

Best Overall Enterprise RIA Product
Winner: ICEsoft - ICEfaces

Best SDK
Winner: Adobe - Flex Builder 3

Best Rich Internet Platform
Winner: Adobe - Adobe Flash Platform

Best Open Source RIA Solution
Winner: Adobe Flex

Best AJAX-Based Solution
Winner: Oracle - Oracle JDeveloper 11g


Courtesy:   http://linux.sys-con.com/node/808352/print


Integrating ADF with Oracle Apps R12 - Demo
2009-02-02T13:01:00.000-08:00
Though I have not tried integrating ADF with Oracle Apps R12, I came across a demo showing the integration. Hope this will be helpful.


What is the difference between ADF and OAF?
2009-02-02T12:51:00.000-08:00
Many times people ask me "What is the difference between ADF and OAF?".

This article will help you to differentiate both technologies.


Oracle Jdeveloper 11g documentation online
2008-11-07T13:14:00.001-08:00
http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E12839_01/index.htm


How to get URL parameter values in backing bean?
2008-09-11T12:28:00.000-07:00

FacesContext.getCurrentInstance().getExternalContext().getRequestParameterMap().get("param name"));



How to avoid JBO-35007 error?
2008-09-11T09:52:00.000-07:00
When row currency validation fails JBO-35007 error is reaised.

Row currency validation safe gaurds ADF application from browser back button issue.

What is browser back button issue?
Form Duncan Mills ""Oracle JDeveloper 10g for Forms and PL/SQL Developers" book :
Users may be accustomed to clicking the browser's Back button to return to the preceding page or the Refresh button to reload the page. This can cause problems with web applications that use a Controller layer, like the JSF controller or Struts, because the browser Back button returns to the preceding page in the browser's page history without calling code in the Controller layer. The controller will therefore, not know the state of the application's data and the preceding page will either not load properly or may place the application into an inconsistent or unstable state. The same problem occurs with the browser's Refresh button, which just reloads the same page, again without calling Controller layer code. This is a problem in all web applications, not only those using J2EE technology or ADF libraries.

How to ignore row currnecy validation?
There are two ways to avoid this validation.(Note: As Row currency validation safe gaurds ADF application from browser back button issue, it is not suggested to ignore row currency validation)

Method I
Set the EnableTokenValidation to false in the page definition file.
1)In the Application Navigator, right-click the JSP page for which you want to disable validation, and choose Go to Pa ge Definition.
2)In the Structure window, right-click the pagenamePageDef node and choose Properties from the context menu.
3)In the PageDef Properties dialog, select the Advanced Properties tab.
4)In the Enable Token Validation box and choose False. The EnableTokenValidation attribute is added to the PageDef.xml file namespace with a value of false.

Method II
Disable row currency validation on an iterator by setting the "StateValidation" property of an iterator to "false" without disabling it for all iterators in the page definition.


How you can access the true value of the selected list item or radio button directly from ADF
2008-07-25T11:33:00.000-07:00
ADF manages the selected value of the list item internally and the value that is exposed through the list binding itself is only the index number of the selection in the list. Developers often make the mistake of treating the value of the list binding as one of these expected values and trying to write code or expressions based on that. The simplest way to gain direct access to the true value of an attribute that is populated from a list binding is to create a secondary value binding to the underlying data. This secondary binding can then be used within expressions to access the true value of the attribute.

Details can be found here.


How to override the sort behavior of table column
2008-07-23T12:24:00.000-07:00
Add following code to managed bean that is accessed from the table's sort listener. In this example, whenever users try to sort on the DepartmentName by clicking onto the table header, the sort criteria is modified to DepartmentId .

import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.List;
 
import oracle.adf.view.faces.component.core.data.CoreTable;
import oracle.adf.view.faces.event.SortEvent;
import oracle.adf.view.faces.model.SortCriterion;
 
 
public class Sortbean {
    public Sortbean() {
    }
 
    public void onSort(SortEvent sortEvent) {
        
        List sortList = sortEvent.getSortCriteria();
        SortCriterion sc = (SortCriterion) sortList.get(0);
        
        //override sort by DepartmentName and make it sort by DepartmentId instead
        if (((String)sc.getProperty()).equalsIgnoreCase("DepartmentName")){
            System.out.println("You wanted to sort " +sc.getProperty());
        
            sortList = new ArrayList();
            SortCriterion sc2 = new SortCriterion("DepartmentId",true);
            System.out.println("This is what I want you to sort for "+sc2.getProperty());
            sortList.add(sc2);
        
            CoreTable ct = (CoreTable)sortEvent.getComponent();
            ct.setSortCriteria(sortList);
        }
    }
}




Refreshing Table after Inline Delete
2008-07-23T12:18:00.000-07:00
To refresh a table data after inline delete, add the following code after delete logic in managed bean.

AdfFacesContext.getCurrentInstance().addPartialTarget(TableId)


ADF Component Library with Example
2008-07-15T11:07:00.000-07:00
ADF 10g Tag Library
ADF 11g Tag Library


How to get Reference of one Managed Bean from other Managed Bean
2008-06-30T13:46:00.000-07:00

FacesContext ctx = FacesContext.getCurrentInstance();
Application app = ctx.getApplication();
MyManagedBeanClass mb = (MyManagedBeanClass) app.getVariableResolver().resolveVariable(ctx,"MyManagedBean");  



How to Implement Dependent Drop Down List in ADF
2008-05-15T12:53:00.000-07:00
In this How-to example, I am going to explain, how dependent drop down list can be implemented in ADF.

Here I am creating two drop down lists "Department" and "Employee".
On selecting department, the list of employees will change.


I am assuming that you have sample HR schema installed in your database.

   Create View Object DepartmentListVO for Department SelectItems.
   Query: Select department_id, department_name from departments

   Create View Object EmployeeListVO for Employee SelectItems. 
   Query: select employee_id, first_name from employees where dapartment_id = :DeptId
    
   Define Bind variables DeptId in EmployeeListVO

   Create View Object EmpDeptVO for defining the form elements.
   This query varies according to your requirement. At least include employee_id and department_id in your select clause.

   Define an Application Module and add above view objects to this application module.

   Create a jspx page, drag  EmpDeptVO to the jspx page and drop EmpDeptVO as ADF form.

   Delete form elements for employee_id and department_id from the page.

   Drag DepartmentId from data control under EmpDeptVO and drop as select one choice.
   Click on add to define binding for List. Select DepartmentListVO from the Add data source drop down.
   Select Display Attribute as DepartmentName.
   
   Id of this select one chioce is auto populated as selectOneChoice1
   Drag EmployeeId from data control under EmpDeptVO and drop as select one choice.
   Click on add to define binding for List. Select EmployeeListVO from the Add data source drop down.
   Select Display Attribute as FirstName.
   
   Id of this select one chioce is auto populated as selectOneChoice2
   
   Select selectOneChoice1 in structure window and go to properties. 
   Set AutoSubmit property to true

    Select selectOneChoice2 in structure window and go to properties. 
    Set PartialTruggers property to selectOneChoice1
          <af:selectOneChoice value="#{bindings.Departmentid.inputValue}"
                              label="Department"
                              id="selectOneChoice1" autoSubmit="true"">
            <f:selectItems value="#{bindings.Departmentid.items}"
                           id="selectItems1"/>
          </af:selectOneChoice>
          <af:selectOneChoice value="#{bindings.Employeeid.inputValue}"
                              label="Employee"
                              id="selectOneChoice2"
                              partialTriggers="selectOneChoice1">
            <f:selectItems value="#{bindings.Employeeid.items}"
                           id="selectItems2"/>
          </af:selectOneChoice>


    Right click on the page and go to page definition.
    Right click on Bindings -Select 'Insert Inside Bindings' - Select 'Generic Bindings' - select 'Action'
 
    Select EmployeeListVO from data collection
    Select Iterator as EmployeeListVOIterator
    Select Operation as ExecuteWithParams
 Set the value of parameter 'DeptId' as #{bindings.Departmentid.inputValue} 
 Click OK
 
    Right click on executables - Select 'Insert Inside executables' - select 'InvokeAction'

    Give one meaningful id 'InvokeExecuteWithParams'.
    Set 'Binds' as 'ExecuteWithParams'
 Set 'Refresh' as 'RenderModel'
 Click Finish
 
   Drag InvokeExecuteWithParams above EmployeeListVOIterator

   Run the page.

  <bindings>
    <action IterBinding="EmployeeListVOIterator" id="ExecuteWithParams"
            InstanceName="HRAppModuleDataControl.EmployeeListVO"
            DataControl="HRAppModuleDataControl" RequiresUpdateModel="true"
            Action="executeWithParams">
      <NamedData NDName="DeptId"
                 NDValue="#{bindings.Departmentid.inputValue}"
                 NDType="oracle.jbo.domain.Number"/>
    </action>
  ..........
  ..........
  </bindings> 
  
  <executables>
    <invokeAction id="InvokeExecuteWithParams" Binds="ExecuteWithParams"
                  Refresh="renderModel"/>
    <iterator Binds="EmployeeListVOIterator" RangeSize="-1"
              DataControl="HRAppModuleDataControl" id="EmployeeListVOIterator"/>
   ...........
   ...........
  </executables>



How to implement drop down list in ADF
2008-05-09T12:06:00.000-07:00
In this how-to example I am defining a department drop down list, which shows a list of departments.

Add the following code in the ADF page.
 
          <af:selectOneChoice label="Department"
                              value="#{ModelData.department}">
            <f:selectItems value="#{DepartmentOptions.departments}"/>
          </af:selectOneChoice>

In ADF, selectOneChoice is used for drop down list.

selectOneChoice picks the list of values from 'selectItems' tag.

You can define a managed bean to bind an  ArrayList of SelectItem objects to  'selectItems'. or can define a view object and bindings. In this example I have defined a managed bean which provides an ArrayList of SelectItem objects.

Department list Backing bean code.

import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.List;

import javax.faces.model.SelectItem;

public class DepartmentOptions {
    private List departments;
    
    public DepartmentOptions() {
        departments = new ArrayList();
        SelectItem department = new  SelectItem("10", "Electric");
        departments.add(department);
        department = new  SelectItem("20", "Mechanic");
        departments.add(department);
        department = new  SelectItem("30", "Computer");
        departments.add(department);
    }

    public void setDepartments(List departments) {
        this.departments = departments;
    }

    public List getDepartments() {
        return departments;
    }
}



Oracle ADF Faces Documentation
2008-05-06T08:03:00.000-07:00
Oracle ADF Faces Documentation can be found here.


Understanding the disadvantages of using AJAX
2008-04-25T11:03:00.000-07:00
Though Ajax delivers more responsive user interface and uses less band width over internet, understanding the disadvantages of using AJAX will help us to design better web applications.

The dynamically created page does not register itself with the browser history engine, so triggering the "Back" function of the users' browser might not bring the desired result.

Possible Solution
Using invisible IFRAMEs to invoke changes that populate the history used by a browser's back button.
Example: Google Maps - performs searches in an invisible IFRAME and then pulls results back into an element on the visible web page.

Dynamic web page updates make it difficult for a user to bookmark a particular state of the application.

Possible Solution
Use the URL fragment identifier to keep track of, and allow users to return to, the application in a given state. This is possible because many browsers allow JavaScript to update the fragment identifier of the URL dynamically, so that Ajax applications can maintain it as the user changes the application's state.

This solution also improves back-button support. It is not, however, a complete solution.


Response-time concerns

Network latency — or the interval between user request and server response — needs to be considered carefully during Ajax development. Without clear feedback to the user, preloading of data and proper handling of the XMLHttpRequest object, users might experience delays in the interface of the web application, something which they might not expect or understand. Additionally, when an entire page is rendered there is a brief moment of re-adjustment for the eye when the content changes. The lack of this re-adjustment with smaller portions of the screen changing makes the latency more apparent.

Possible Solution
Use of visual feedback (such as throbbers) to alert the user of background activity and/or preloading of content and data are often suggested solutions to these latency issues.


Search engine optimization
Websites that use Ajax to load data which should be indexed by search engines must be careful to provide equivalent Sitemaps data at a public, linked URL that the search engine can read, as search engines do not generally execute the JavaScript code required for Ajax functionality.


Reliance on JavaScript and the DOM
Ajax relies on JavaScript and the browser's Document Object Model (DOM), which are often implemented differently by different browsers or versions of a particular browser. Because of this, sites that use JavaScript may need to be tested in multiple browsers to check for compatibility issues. It's common to see JavaScript code written twice, one part for IE, another part for Mozilla compatibles, although this is less true with the release of IE7 and with the now-common use of JavaScript abstraction libraries like the Prototype JavaScript Framework or Jquery. Such libraries abstract browser-specific differences from the web developer.

Web analytics
Many web analytics solutions are based on the paradigm of a new page being loaded whenever new or updated content is displayed to the user, or to track a series of steps in a process such as a check-out. Since Ajax alters this process, care must be taken to account for how to instrument a page or a portion of a page so that it can be accurately tracked.

Possible Solution
Analytics systems which allow for the tracking of events other than a simple page view, such as the click of a button or link, are the ones most likely to be able to accommodate a site which heavily utilizes Ajax.




Google Web Toolkit (GWT) with Jdeveloper.
2008-04-25T08:48:00.000-07:00
Google Web Toolkit (GWT) helps Java developers create Ajax applications more productively. GWT proposes a different way to create Ajax applications. It uses Java as a single programming language for both the client and server sides. GWT provides a compiler that translates the Java code on the client side into JavaScript and DTHML. This solution greatly simplifies the technology stack from the programmer’s point of view.

Jdeveloper has provided extension (gwtDeveloper) for Google Web Toolkit (GWT). You can get it using JDeveloper's Check for Updates mechanism.

What can you do with gwtDeveloper?
Visually design your panels, composites, menus and other widget types
 View, change your widget's properties using Property Inspector 
Add event handlers to your widgets 

You can find more about GWT Jdeveloper extensions at following link.http://www.gdevelop.com/

Also you can integrate GWT to Jdeveloper manually by following http://www.oracle.com/technology/pub/articles/dubois-gwt.html 



ADF online Demos
2008-04-25T08:16:00.000-07:00
For ADF online demos refer
http://radio.weblogs.com/0118231/stories/2005/06/24/jdeveloperAdfScreencasts.html


Configuring JDeveloper with SQL Server
2008-04-25T08:14:00.000-07:00
For configuring jdeveloper with MS SQL Server refer http://www.devx.com/dbzone/Article/33681/0/page/2


How to forward to a page dynamically in ADF?
2008-04-21T13:28:00.000-07:00
Sometimes you want to perofrm some validations and based on the result, forward to other ADF pages.

You can follow one of these following approches.

Approach I
/* Forward to page "myPage.jspx" */
FacesContext fc = FacesContext.getCurrentInstance();
UIViewRoot viewRoot = fc.getApplication().getViewHandler().createView(fc, "/myPage.jspx");
fc.setViewRoot(viewRoot);
fc.renderResponse();

Approach II
/* Forward to the navigation rule "mypage" */
FacesContext fc = FacesContext.getCurrentInstance();
fc.getApplication().getNavigationHandler().handleNavigation(fc, null, "mypage");

Approach III
/* Redirect to page myPage.jspx */
FacesContext.getCurrentInstance().getExternalContext().redirect(/myPage.jspx);

Approach I and II preserve the processScope


Database native Web services - A Cool feature in Oracle 11g
2008-04-15T12:26:00.000-07:00
Web services have become a popular way of developing applications. Until now, creating a Web service has required hand-coding or generating the programs necessary to expose a SOAP end-point, and then deploying this code using an application server. These programs need to address all aspects of a Web service’s usage, including generating the WSDL document, parsing and processing the SOAP request, and marshaling the required data into the correct XML format to provide the SOAP response.

Database native Web services, delivered as part of Oracle Database 11g, eliminates all of this complexity for Web services that provide access to data stored in an Oracle Database. Database native Web services let you expose PL/SQL stored procedures, functions, and packages as Web services with zero coding and zero deployment effort. The database native Web services feature also includes a Web service that supports execution of dynamic SQL queries and XQuery expressions. The database HTTP server, provided as part of Oracle XML DB Repository, allows these Web services to be accessed using HTTP and HTTPS, without any additional application server infrastructure. Database native Web services leverage the powerful XML capabilities of Oracle XML DB to automatically generate the WDSL, parse and process the SOAP request, and generate the SOAP response.

A nice step-by-step artcile for using Database native Web services can be found here.


Separating Rules from Business Processes.
2008-04-15T11:37:00.000-07:00
Service-oriented architecture (SOA) facilitates the development of enterprise applications as modular business services that can be easily integrated and be reused. Business Process Execution Language (BPEL) enable services to be orchestrated into business processes, which can be changed easily in response to business requirements. SOA promises simplified integration and increases service reuse.

Change in Business Requirements does not always mean change in Business Process but often mean changes to the rules that drive the process.

A typical business process often includes a number of decision points. These decision points generally have an effect on the process flow; for example, someone's credit rating may determine whether he or she is approved for a low-cost loan. These decisions are evaluated based on certain conditions and facts, which may be internal or external to the business process, and predefined company policies or rules. Business rules engines (BREs) allow architects to easily define, manage, and update the decision logic that directs enterprise applications from a single location without needing to write code or change the business processes calling them.

Embeding the business rules inside the business process has savaral drawbacks.
Business rules change more often than the processes themselves, but changing and managing embedded business rules is a complex task beyond the abilities of most business analysts. Thus, as business rules change, programmers often have commit expensive time to this task. 
Most organizations lack a central rules repository. Consequently, any organization-wide change in policy cannot be applied across all business processes.
 Business processes cannot reuse rules. Hence, IT personnel end up designing rules for each and every process, often leading to inconsistency or redundancy.

The best way to avoid these problems is to separate business processes from business rules. Rules can be exposed as services and BPEL processes can leverage these services by querying the rules engine when they reach decision points. 

Following Steps can be followed to use Rules along with BPEL.
Create rules in a ruleset.
Expose the ruleset as a Web service.
Invoke the ruleset Web service from BPEL. 



Generating XML data from database table and views
2008-04-14T06:21:00.000-07:00
Oracle provides functions and packages for generating XML data from database table and views.

Following options can be used to generate XML from Oracle content.

Using SQLX Functions
Using Oracle Extensions to SQLX
Using DBMS_XMLGEN
Using SQL Functions
Using XSQL Pages Publishing Framework
Using XML SQL Utility (XSU)
This document explains the process in detail.


Creating skin for ADF Application
2008-04-11T10:08:00.000-07:00
A skin is a global style sheet that affects the entire application. You can create one skin for the entire application . Every component will automatically use the styling as described by the skin. Any changes to the skin will be picked up at runtime, no change to code is needed. Skins are based on the Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) specification. You can also dynamically switch skins during runtime.

In JDeveloper 11 you don't need to write a complete skin just to change a single component. You can extend an existing skin.

To create a skin, you can refer this document.


ADF Business Components Validation Flow Chart
2008-04-11T07:59:00.001-07:00
This flow chart illustrates the validation processing flow for 
insert, update and delete.






Using BPEL in ADF
2008-04-11T06:56:00.000-07:00
The common way of using web services in Oracle ADF is to create a data control for an external web service. JDeveloper allows you to create a data control for an existing web service using just the WSDL for the service.

Here you can watch a nice demo to use BPEL with ADF.


Order of method calls in Entity Object
2008-04-10T13:36:00.000-07:00
Though I found a lot of reference about Entity Object methods and thier usage, I never found a document describing order of method calls in Entity Object. Here I am trying to put the method call order in place.

Entity Create flow.

Loop for each created entity Object
      {
          validateEntity();
          prepareForDML();
          doDML();
       }
Loop for each created entity Object
      {
         beforeCommit();
       }


Enabling Partial Page Rendering(PPR) in ADF.
2008-04-10T10:12:00.000-07:00
For a component to trigger another component to refresh, the trigger component must cause a submit when an appropriate action takes place.On the trigger command component set the id attribute to a unique value. If it is an input component in a form, set the autoSubmit attribute of thecomponent to true. Otherwise, set the partialSubmit attribute of the component to true.

For a component is to be refreshed triggered by another component, it must declare which other components are the triggers.On the target component that you want to partially refresh when the trigger command component is activated, set the partialTriggers attribute to the id of the trigger command component. If the component refresh is to be triggered by more than one other component, list their IDs separated by spaces.

Following three main component attributes are used to enable partial page rendering.

autoSubmit: When the autoSubmit attribute of an input or select component is set to true, and an appropriate action takes place (such as a value change), the component automatically submits the form it is enclosed in.

partialSubmit: When the partialSubmit attribute of a command component is set to true, clicking the button or link causes the page to be partially submitted.

partialTriggers: All rendered components support the partialTriggers attribute. Use this attribute to list the IDs of components whose change events are to trigger this component to be refreshed.


What is Trinidad?
2008-04-10T08:32:00.000-07:00
Trinidad is Oracle's JSF component library which Oracle has donated to Apache MyFaces.

Trinidad is a JSF framework including a large, enterprise quality component library, supporting critical features such as accessibility (e.g. Section 508), right-to-left languages, etc. It also includes a set of framework features, including :
Partial-page rendering support for the entire component set 
Integrated client-side validation 
A dialog framework 
pageFlowScope, for communicating between pages 
Oracle's ADF Faces Rich Client components are based on these Trinidad components.



How to display the content of a BLOB column(e.g. Image) in a ADF/BC pages ?
2008-04-09T10:29:00.000-07:00
If you have some image in the database table BLOB column and you want to display the image on the screen, you can follow the following approach.

1: Write a simple servlet that streams the blob back to the client as an image.
2: Add an image to the page from the component pallete.

3: Change the source attribute of image to /yourServletname?thumbnail=#{bindings.yourbindingvalue} 
e.g./imageservlet?thumbnail=#{bindings.ProductId}

I have taken the servlet code from the FOD (Fusion Order Demo). Modify the following code according to your application specific object usage. 

package oracle.fodemo.storefront.servlet;

import java.io.BufferedInputStream;
import java.io.IOException;
import java.io.OutputStream;

import java.sql.Blob;

import java.sql.Connection;
import java.sql.PreparedStatement;
import java.sql.ResultSet;

import java.sql.SQLException;

import javax.naming.Context;
import javax.naming.InitialContext;

import javax.servlet.ServletConfig;

import javax.servlet.ServletException;
import javax.servlet.http.HttpServlet;
import javax.servlet.http.HttpServletRequest;
import javax.servlet.http.HttpServletResponse;

import javax.sql.DataSource;


public class ImageServlet extends HttpServlet {
    private static final String CONTENT_TYPE = 

        "image/jpg; charset=utf-8";

    public void init(ServletConfig config) throws ServletException {
        super.init(config);

    }

    public void doGet(HttpServletRequest request, 
                      HttpServletResponse response) throws ServletException, 

                                                           IOException {

        response.setContentType(CONTENT_TYPE);
        response.setContentType(CONTENT_TYPE);
        String detailProductId = request.getParameter("detail");

        String thumbnailProductId = request.getParameter("thumbnail");
        boolean thumbnail = true;
        String productId = null;

        OutputStream os = response.getOutputStream();
        Connection conn = null; 
        

        try {
            Context ctx = new InitialContext();
            DataSource ds = (DataSource)ctx.lookup("jdbc/FODDS");

            conn = ds.getConnection();
            PreparedStatement statement = conn.prepareStatement(
              "SELECT ProductImageEO.PRODUCT_IMAGE_ID, " + 

              "       ProductImageEO.PRODUCT_ID, " + 
              "       ProductImageEO.DEFAULT_VIEW_FLAG, " + 

              "       ProductImageEO.DETAIL_IMAGE_ID, " + 
              "       ProductImageEO.IMAGE " + 

              "FROM  PRODUCT_IMAGES ProductImageEO " +
              "WHERE ProductImageEO.DEFAULT_VIEW_FLAG = ?" + 

              "      AND ProductImageEO.PRODUCT_ID = ?");

            if (detailProductId != null) {

                productId = detailProductId;
                thumbnail = false;

            } else {
                productId = thumbnailProductId;

    
            }
    
            statement.setString(1,(thumbnail ? "Y" : "N"));            

            statement.setInt(2, new Integer(productId));
            ResultSet rs = statement.executeQuery(); 
            

            if (rs.next()) { 
                Blob blob = rs.getBlob("IMAGE"); 

                BufferedInputStream in = new BufferedInputStream(blob.getBinaryStream()); 
                int b; byte[] buffer = new byte[10240]; 

                while ((b = in.read(buffer, 0, 10240)) != -1) { os.write(buffer, 0, b); } 
                os.close();

            }
        } catch (Exception e){
            e.printStackTrace();

        } finally {
            try{
                if (conn != null){

                     conn.close();
                }

             } catch (SQLException sqle){
                 sqle.printStackTrace();

             }  
        }

}


ADF EO - Assigning Database Sequence value to an Attribute at time of row creation.
2008-04-09T08:33:00.000-07:00
Sometimes you need to assign a database sequence value to an attribute at entity row creation time. Override the create() method and use SequenceImpl helper class in the oracle.jbo.server package to get the sequence value.

Example:

import oracle.jbo.server.SequenceImpl;

protected void create(AttributeList nameValuePair) {
     super.create(nameValuePair);
     SequenceImpl sequence =
      new SequenceImpl("EMPLOYEE_SEQ",getDBTransaction());
     setEmpId(sequence.getSequenceNumber());
}


ADF - validate the username and password against a database table
2008-04-09T08:07:00.000-07:00
Container-managed security allows web applications to delegate authentication and authorization decisions to the executing web container.In Oracle Containers for J2EE (OC4J) the authentication and authorization decision is handled by the OracleAS JAAS Provider.Web applications running in OC4J can be configured to authenticate users against Oracle Internet Directory (OID), third-party LDAP, CoreId, jazn-data.xml or a custom JAAS LoginModule.The benefit of container-managed security in contrast to a pure JAAS approach (Java Authentication and Authorization Service) approach is that the application logic is not mixed with authentication and authorization code, which ensures portability.

This article explains how to leverage database tables for storing account information for user authentication and authorization of Java EE applications in JDeveloper 10.1.3.2 and OC4J 10.1.3.2.

Find the article here.


Most Commonly Used Methods in ADF Business Components
2008-04-08T13:12:00.000-07:00
Steve Muench has compiled a list of Most Commonly Used Methods in ADF Business Components. It includes the methods that ADF developers write, call, and override most frequently.

The list can be found here.



Life Cycle of an Entity Object.
2008-04-08T12:42:00.001-07:00
When a new row is created on entity-based view object, the entity status is set as New.  Transaction's list of pending changes is updated with the new row. When the transaction is committed, the row will be saved to the data base. But when a blank row is created, the user may not have entered any data. So by setting the row status to 'initialized', the new row can be forced to remove from the Transaction's list of pending changes. This prevents the system from posting the row into database, if the user never enters any data into any attribute of that initialized row. When the user enters data into any attribute of the initialized row, the row status changed to New.













When an entity is retrieved from the database, its status is set as Unmodified. When the user enters data into any attribute of the unmodified row, the row status changed to Modified. When user calls remove() on Unmodified row, the row status changes to Deleted. If the row is in New state and the user calls remove() on the row, row status changes to Dead.

When an entity is retrieved from database, the entity is assumed to be valid. When any attribute of the entity is modified or a new entity row is created, the entity is marked as invalid. Before committing the transaction, system validates all invalid entity rows in the Transaction's pending list. Then the changes are posted to database and the row status changes to Unmodified.


Difference between setCurrentRowWithKey and setCurrentRowWithKeyValue?
2008-04-08T10:15:00.000-07:00
setCurrentRowWithKey takes serialized value of rowKey as parameter e.g. 000200000002C20200000002C102000000010000010A5AB7DAD9
The serialized string representation of a key encodes all of the key attributes that can be conveniently passed as a single
value in a browser URL string or form parameter.

The serialized string key of a row can be accessed by referencing the rowKeyStr property of an ADF control binding (e.g. #{bindings.SomeAttrName.rowKeyStr})

setCurrentRowWithKeyValue takes literal value as parameter e.g "201"


How to change the Oracle ADF look and feel?
2008-04-04T15:27:00.000-07:00
Oracle supports skinning i.e. changing the look and feel of the application.
You can develop your own skin e.g. CustomSkin.css

Step 1: Put CustomSkin.css and all dependent resources at the root
of your application e.g. /skins/myskin/CustomSkin.css

Step 2: Register the custom skin
In JDeveloper, right click on the WEB-INF folder of the sample project
and create a new XML document and name it - adf-faces-skins.xml
Replace the generated code with the following:

 <skins xmlns="http://xmlns.oracle.com/adf/view/faces/skin">
  <skin>
   <id>mycompany.desktop</id>
   <family>myskin</family>
   <render-kit-id>oracle.adf.desktop</render-kit-id>
   <style-sheet-name>/skins/myskin/CustomSkin.css</style-sheet-name>
  </skin>
 </skins>

Save your work.

Step 3: Modify adf-faces-config.xml file to use the custom skin.
Open the adf-faces-config.xml file.
Replace the <skin-family>value with custom skin family name
e.g. <skin-family>myskin</skin-family>

Save your work.

Step 4: Run your application and test.


Useful ADF Blogs
2008-04-04T15:20:00.000-07:00
These Blogs made my life easier. Hope these will help you too.

Frank Nimphius Blogbuster

Dive into Oracle ADF

Shay Shmeltzer's Weblog

The Peninsula's Edge

The GroundBlog By Duncan Mills

Matthias Wessendorf's Weblog

Grants Blog

Tug's Blog

Chris Muir

Real World ADF

Gerard Davison's Blog 

Andrejus Baranovskis's Blog - JDev/ADF Samples list 

Java / Oracle SOA blog


How to add one master and many details in Oracle ADF?
2008-04-04T15:17:00.000-07:00
Oracle ADF helps you to define master detail regions by drag and drop. But 'drag and drop' is only possible for one master and one detail combination. For one master and many details design follow the following steps. 

let us assume, you need one master and two detail.

Region Structure
---------------------------

Master1
|
|________ Detail1
|
|________ Detail2

View Objects
----------------------------
MasterVO
|
| VL1
|___________DetailVO1
|
| VL2
|___________DetailVO2


Step 1: Drag DetailVO1 from Data Control Palette.
Drop on the page design and select 'Master Detail => ADF master table, Detail Table'
This will create Master1 table and Detail1 table

Step 2: Drag DetailVO2 from Data Control Palette.
Drop on the page design and select 'Master Detail => ADF master table, Detail Table'
This will create Master2 table and Detail2 table

Step 3: Delete Master2 table

Step 4: Select Detail2 table. In the property inspector, Behavior tab, put Master1 in the Partial Triggers field. (Note: Master1 is the master table name).

Run the page and test.


RPC vs Document style
2007-03-23T04:20:00.000-07:00
RPC Style

RPC stands for Remote Procedure call, in which the client sends a SOAP request to execute an operation on the Web Service. The SOAP request contains the name of method to be executed and the parameter it takes. The server running the Web Service converts this request to appropriate objects, executes the operation and sends the response as SOAP message to client. At the client side, this response is used to form appropriate objects and return the required information (output) to the client. RPC-style Web Services are tightly coupled because the sending parameters and return values are as described in WSDL (Web Service Description Language ) file and are wrapped in the SOAP body. Following is an example SOAP Body of RPC-style Web Service, which invokes GetStockQuote method with input parameter "ORCL".

<SOAP-ENV:Envelope...>
      <SOAP-ENV:Body>
           <m:GetStockQuote xmlns:m="urn:xmethods:example">
              <m:Symbol>ORCL</m:Symbol>
           </m:GetStockQuote>
      </SOAP-ENV:Body>
</SOAP-ENV:Envelope>

Document-style

Document Style Web Service are loosely coupled and the request / response are in the form of XML documents. The client sends the parameter to the Web Service as XML document, instead of discrete set of parameter values. The Web Service processes the document, executes the operation and constructs & sends the response to the client as an XML document . There is no direct mapping between the server objects (parameters, method calls etc) and the values in XML documents. The application has to take care of mapping the XML data values. The SOAP Body of a document style carries one or more XML documents, within its body. The protocol places no constraint on how that document needs to be structured, which is totally handled at the application level. Document-style Web Service follows asynchronous processing. Following is an example SOAP body for Document style Web Service.

<SOAP-ENV:Envelope ...>
      <SOAP-ENV:Body>
            <StockQuoteRequest symbol="ORCL"/>
      </SOAP-ENV:Body>
</SOAP-ENV:Envelope>


How to invoke Oracle BPEL process from Java?
2007-03-22T23:49:00.000-07:00
Import the following classes.

// To connect to BPEL Process Manager
import com.oracle.bpel.client.Locator;

// To invoke BPEL process
import com.oracle.bpel.client.dispatch.IDeliveryService;

// To process XML messages
import com.oracle.bpel.client.NormalizedMessage;

Add following code to your invokation logic.

1: Connect to BPEL process manager

Locator locator = new Locator("Domain Name", "Pass Word" , "IP Address");

Ex: Locator locator = new Locator("default", "bpel", null);
// null IP address means local server

2: Get the handle of IDeliveryService instance which is used to invoke BPEL process.

IDeliveryService deliveryService =
(IDeliveryService)locator.lookupService(IDeliveryService.SERVICE_NAME );

3: Prepare the XMl message for input.

String xmlData = "XML data";
NormalizedMessage message = new NormalizedMessage( );
message.addPart("payload", xmlData );

4: Invoking BPEL process with two way operations
(which has both input and output messages)

NormalizedMessage res =
deliveryService.request("BPEL Process ID", "Operation Name", "message");
Map payload = res.getPayload();

5: Invoking BPEL process with one way operations
(which takes input message but returns not output)

deliveryService.post("BPEL Process ID", "Operation Name", "message");