A Message Format Language (MFL) document is a specialized XML document used to describe the layout of binary data. It is an Oracle 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 Oracle 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 "Format Builder" in the Oracle Fusion Middleware Developer's Guide for Oracle Service Bus.
To locate MFLs:
Do either of the following:
Select Project Explorer to display the Projects View page or the Project/Folder View page. Then navigate through projects and folders to find the MFL.
Select Resource Browser > MFLs. The Summary of MFL Files page displays the information shown in Table 15-1. For a more detailed description of the properties, see Section 15.3, "Editing MFLs."
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.
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.
| 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 Section 15.3, "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 Section 3.1.1, "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 Section 32.2, "Testing Transformations." |
|
Options |
Click the Delete icon to delete a specific MFL. See Section 15.4, "Deleting MFLs." |
To add an MFL:
If you have not already done so, click Create to create a new session or click Edit to enter an existing session. See Section 2.1, "Using the Change Center."
Select Project Explorer, then select a project or folder in which to add the MFL file. The Project/Folder View page is displayed.
From the Create Resource list, select MFL File from under Transformation to display the Create a New MFL File Resource page.
In the Resource Name field, enter a unique name for this MFL. This is a required field.
In the Resource Description field, enter a description for the MFL.
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.
Click Save. The MFL file resource is created and saved in the current session.
To end the session and deploy the configuration to the run time, click Activate under Change Center.
To edit an MFL:
If you have not already done so, click Create to create a new session or click Edit to enter an existing session. See Section 2.1, "Using the Change Center."
Locate the MFL file, as described in Section 15.1, "Locating MFLs."
Click the MFL file name. The View MFL Resource Details page displays the information shown in Table 15-2.
Table 15-2 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 Section 3.23, "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 Section 3.22, "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 Section 3.22, "Viewing References to Resources." |
|
Description |
A description of this MFL file, if one exists. |
|
MFL Text |
The text for this MFL. |
To make a change to the fields, click Edit. For descriptions of the fields, see Section 15.2, "Adding MFLs."
You cannot change the Resource Name field.
Click Save to commit the updates in the current session.
To end the session and deploy the configuration to the run time, click Activate under Change Center.
To delete an MFL:
If you have not already done so, click Create to create a new session or click Edit to enter an existing session. See Section 2.1, "Using the Change Center."
Select Resource Browser > MFLs to display the Summary of MFL Files page.
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.
To end the session and deploy the configuration to the run time, click Activate under Change Center.