Understanding UI Maps

The preferred method for creating input and output HTML maps is by leveraging the schema-based HTML rendering technique known as UI Hints. For more complex requirements, you may craft an HTML that closely matches your customer's business practices and capture it as a User Interface (UI) map.

The User Interface (UI) map is a repository for a single HTML document paired with an XML schema where the schema defines the data that the HTML document displays and/or modifies. The UI Map HTML gives you the ability to craft the display by any method that an html document can support, including JavaScript and full CSS functionality.

The topics in this section describe concepts and guidance relevant to UI map configuration.

Output Maps and Input Forms

UI maps are typically crafted as output tables when used in conjunction with portal zones - please refer to Map Zones for more information. When referenced within BPA scripts or process flows, UI maps are typically crafted as forms for the capture and update of data.

Figure 1. HTML Input Form Rendered (for BPA Script)
Personal Information input form rendered
Figure 2. HTML to Display Customer Business Object
HTML to display customer Business Object
Figure 3. Customer HTML Rendered (Output Data for Zone)
Rendered customer HTML

UI Map Fragments

A UI map may represent a complete HTML map or a fragment that can be embedded in a complete map.

You may use a UI map fragment in the following use cases:
  • To share and reuse the same HTML/JavaScript across multiple complete UI maps. The UI map fragment is referenced as part of the HTML definition of the complete UI maps.
  • To embed complex HTML/JavaScript logic as part of a map that its HTML is otherwise rendered using UI Hints.
  • To implement a filter map for a data explorer search zone where basic filter definition syntax does not handle your business requirements.

Configuration Tool Support

Configuration tool support for UI Maps hinges around the ability to inject and extract an XML document from the HTML. For more information on the specialized support for HTML and JavaScript functionality refer to UI Map Attributes and Functions.