Accessing Contract Repository Objects

The Contract Repository main window consists of the menu bar, toolbar and an attribute display. After logon, the root nodes for each Contract Repository object are shown. Figure 2-1 shows the root nodes for each type of object in the Contract Repository tree that display in the left portion of the window.

Figure 2-1 Main Tree Structure

Contract Repository Tree View

As shown in Figure 2-1, there are multiple roots in the tree, one root for each kind of object.

• The first root consists of modules.

• The second root displays the interfaces defined in the Contract Repository. Each interface is a part of one or more modules.

• The third root is operations. An operation may be part of one or more interfaces.

• The fourth root displays the structs defined in the repository. The structs are groups of elements. A struct can be used as a data type for elements.

• The fifth root is elements. The element type can be a basic type (char, short, long, float, double, string, carray) or a struct type. Parameters in operations are defined using elements.

From the tree view, you can create elements, structs, operations, and interfaces; and group them together into modules for your own applications.

As an example, Figure 2-2 shows the BANKAPP module expanded. Table 2-1 describes each type of object available in the tree in full detail.

Figure 2-2 Module Tree Hierarchy

Table 2-1 Tree Objects

Object	Icon	Description
Contract Repository		The root node. (C++ Expert only)
Module		A module is a group of one or more interfaces. In the C++ Expert application, you can "validate" a previously generated module to see whether the module is in sync with the Contract Repository database. If the module is not in sync with the Contract Repository, it appears as a white "ghost" module after the validate check. (To validate a previously generated module, select the module on the Workstation view and choose Generate->Validate module.) In the Active Expert, an out-of-date module is a module in the "Workstation View" that is out of synch with the corresponding source module in the Contract Repository database. This can happen when the repository definition for a module or any of its components is updated after you have registered a module in the Workstation View. In the Active Expert application, out-of-date modules show up automatically when you open the Workstation Objects view. You can "refresh" an out-of-date module by choosing Tools->Refresh while the Workstation View is open.
Interface		Interfaces are a group of one or more operations. Each interface may be part of one or more modules.
Operation		Operations are implemented as TUXEDO services. Each operation may be part of one or more interfaces. When an operation has been exported it shows in a green light. (Contract Repository Editor only)
Parameter		When elements are used in operations, they become parameters or arguments to the operation. Parameters contain additional information (beyond that in the corresponding element), such as passing mode, exception mode, etc. A parameter is based on a single primary data type (e.g., short, float, char) or a struct. The parameter attributes available are: input, output, and input/output - input sends a value to the operation; output and input/output return a value to the calling operation no access - Can be defined only in the Contract Repository Editor. Not accessible by Active Expert and C++ Expert users. output returns only on exception- special case of output which returns a value only if there is an exception caught output always returns including on exception- special case of output which always returns a value including when an exception is caught input/output always returns including on exception- special case of input/output which always returns a value including when an exception is caught input/output returns only on exception- special case of input/output which only returns a value including when an exception is caught (Not in C++ Expert) optional exception parameter- optional exception parameter that can be used for error checking (Active Expert only)
Struct		A struct is a group of previously defined elements. To use a struct as a parameter, define it as an element. Structs cannot be nested. In the Active Expert and C++ Expert, structs are displayed as parameters that contain elements. (See icons and explanation for parameters in this table.)
Element		An element is based on a single primary data type (e.g., short, float, char) or a struct. An element can be used by itself as a parameter to one or more operations, as well as being a part of one or more struct types.

Refreshing the Contract Repository Tree View

During development time, the Contract Repository database may be frequently updated as objects are added, imported, deleted, or modified (by you or other Contract Repository administrators). You must refresh the Contract Repository Editor in order to see any changes made after you log on (that is, during a session).

To refresh the Contract Repository, choose File->Refresh from the menu bar or click on the Refresh toolbar button. This updates your view of the Contract Repository database. Note that if the object tree was expanded before you refreshed, it will re-display showing only the initial root nodes. When you re-expand the tree, you will see the updated version.