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Using the AquaLogic Service Bus Console

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MFLs

A Message Format Language (MFL) document is a specialized XML document used to describe the layout of binary data. It is a BEA proprietary language used to define rules to transform formatted binary data into XML data. An MFL document conforms to the mfl.dtd, which includes elements and attributes used to describe each field of data, as well as groupings of fields (groups), repetition, and aggregation.

When you create a business services or proxy services of Messaging Service type, you can select MFL types as the request message type or the response message type of the service.

You use BEA Format Builder to create MFLs. When you define the hierarchy of a binary record, the layout of fields, and the grouping of fields and groups, the information is saved as an MFL document that can then be used to perform run-time translations. An MFL document can also be used in Format Builder to generate the corresponding DTD that describes its content model. To learn how to use the Format Builder, see the Format Builder Online Help.

Locating MFLs

  1. Do either of the following:
  2. To restrict the number of items in the list, you can filter by name, path, or both. In the Name and Path fields, enter the name and path of the search target(s), then click Search.

    3. The path is the project name and the name of the folder in which the MFL file resides.

    Click View All to remove the search filters and display all MFL files.

    Table 13-1 MFL Details 
    Property
    Description
    MFL File Name
    The unique name assigned to the MFL. The name is a link to the View MFL Resource Details page. See Editing MFLs.
    Path
    The path is the project name and the name of the folder in which the MFL file resides. It is a link to the project or folder that contains this resource. See Qualifying Resource Names Using Projects and Folders.
    Actions
    Click the Launch Test Console icon to invoke the Test Console, which you use to validate and test the design of your services and transformations. For MFLs, you can use the Test Console whether you are inside or outside a session. See Testing Transformations.
    Options
    Click the Delete icon to delete a specific MFL. See Deleting MFLs.

Adding MFLs

  1. If you have not already done so, click Create to create a new session or click Edit to enter an existing session. See Using the Change Center.
  2. Select Project Explorer, then select a project or folder in which to add the MFL file. The Project/Folder View page is displayed.
  3. From the Create Resource drop-down list, select MFL File from under Transformation to display the Create a New MFL File Resource page.
  4. In the Resource Name field, enter a unique name for this MFL. This is a required field.
  5. In the Resource Description field, enter a description for the MFL.
  6. In the MFL Text field, do one of the following:
    • Enter text for the new MFL.
    • Click Browse to locate and import an existing MFL.
    • Copy and paste text from an existing MFL into this field.

      • This is a required field.

  7. Click Save. The MFL file resource is created and saved in the current session.
  8. To end the session and deploy the configuration to the run time, click Activate under Change Center.

Editing MFLs

  1. If you have not already done so, click Create to create a new session or click Edit to enter an existing session. See Using the Change Center.
  2. Locate the MFL file, as described in Locating MFLs.
  3. Click the MFL file name. The View MFL Resource Details page displays the information shown in Table 13-2.

    4. Table 13-2 MFL Resource Details 
    Property
    Description
    Last Modified By
    The user who created this MFL file or imported it into the configuration.
    Last Modified On
    The date and time that the user created this MFL file or imported it into the configuration. Click the date and time link to view the change history of this resource. See View Change History page.
    References
    The number of objects that this MFL file references. If such references exist, click the numeric link to view a list of the objects. See Viewing References to Resources.
    Referenced by
    The number of objects that reference this MFL file. If such references exist, click the numeric link to view a list of the objects. For example, if you selected this MFL file as the request or response message type for a messaging business service or proxy service, the business service or proxy service is listed as a reference when you click the link.See Viewing References to Resources.
    Description
    A description of this MFL file, if one exists.
    MFL Text
    The text for this MFL.

  4. To make a change to the fields, click Edit. For descriptions of the fields, see Adding MFLs.

    5. You cannot change the Resource Name field.

  5. Click Save to commit the updates in the current session.
  6. To end the session and deploy the configuration to the run time, click Activate under Change Center.

Deleting MFLs

  1. If you have not already done so, click Create to create a new session or click Edit to enter an existing session. See Using the Change Center.
  2. Select Resource Browser > MFLs to display the Summary of MFL Files page.
  3. Click the Delete icon in the Options field of the MFL you want to delete. The MFL file is deleted in the current session. A Deletion Warning icon is displayed when other resources reference this resource. You can delete the resource with a warning confirmation. This might result in conflicts due to unresolved references to the deleted resource.
  4. To end the session and deploy the configuration to the run time, click Activate under Change Center.

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