Using the AquaLogic Service Bus Console

MFLs

This section includes the following topics:

• Overview of MFLs
• Listing and Locating MFLs
• Adding an MFL
• Viewing and Changing Details of an MFL
• Deleting an MFL

 

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Overview of 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 the 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.

The following table lists the MFL pages you can access from the Resource Browser and Project Explorer modules. The tasks and help topics associated with each are provided.

 

 

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Listing and Locating MFLs

The Summary of MFL Files page enables you to view a list of MFL (Message Format Language) files. An MFL 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. To learn more, see Overview of MFLs.

To List and Locate MFLs

From the left navigation pane, select MFLs from under Resource Browser. The Summary of MFL Files page is displayed, which displays the following information for each MFL file. For a more detailed description of the properties, see Viewing and Changing Details of an MFL:

Property	Description
MFL File Name	The unique name assigned to the MFL. The name is a link to the MFL Details page. To learn more, see Viewing and Changing Details of an MFL.
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. To learn more, see Viewing Project Details or Viewing Folder Details.
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. To learn more, see Testing Transformations.
Options	Click the Delete icon to delete a specific MFL. To learn more, see Deleting an MFL.


 
To locate a specific MFL, do one of the following:
• Filter by MFL name and path. In the Name and Path fields, enter the name and path of the search target, then click Search. The path is the project name and the name of the folder in which the MFL file resides. The MFLs matching the search criteria are displayed.
• Resort the list. Ascending and descending arrow buttons indicate sortable columns—in this case, the MFL File Name and Path columns. Click the button to change the sort order.
• Scroll through the pages. Use the controls in the lower right corner. Go to a page by selecting the page number or by using the arrow buttons to go to the next, previous, first, or last page.

Note: Click View All to display all MFL files.

Related Topics

Adding an MFL

 

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Adding an MFL

The Create a New MFL File Resource page allows you to add a new MFL (Message Format Language) file. An MFL 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. To learn more, see Overview of MFLs.

To add a new MFL, do one of the following:

• Import an existing MFL file
• Enter data in the text fields to write a new MFL
• Copy and paste data from an existing MFL file into the text fields

To Add a New MFL File

If you have not already done so, from the left navigation pane, under Change Center, click Create to create a new session for making changes to the current configuration. To learn more, see Using the Change Center.
From the left navigation pane, select Project Explorer. The Project View page is displayed.
Select the project to which you want to add the MFL file. You can add an MFL file directly to the project, or you can add it to a selected folder that resides in the project.

Note: Click the name of a folder to select it. The Folder View page is displayed.

From the Project View or Folder View page, in the Create Resource field, select MFL File from under Transformation. The Create a New MFL File Resource page is displayed.
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.

Note: This is a required field.

Do one of the following:
• To save the MFL file, click Save. The MFL file resource is created.

The Project View or Folder View page is displayed. The new MFL file is included in the list of resources.

• To disregard changes, click Cancel.

Note: The new MFL file resource is saved in the current session. When you have finished making changes to this configuration, from the left navigation pane, click Activate under Change Center. The session ends and the configuration is deployed to run time. Alternatively, click Discard at any time during the session to delete the changes you have made so far in the current session.

Related Topics

Listing and Locating MFLs

Viewing and Changing Details of an MFL

Deleting an MFL

Creating a Resource

 

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Viewing and Changing Details of an MFL

The View MFL Details page enables you to view and change detailed information for a specific MFL (Message Format Language) file. An MFL 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. To learn more, see Overview of MFLs.

To View and Change MFL Details

Locate the MFL file. To learn more, see Listing and Locating MFLs.
Click the MFL file name. The View MFL Details page displays the following information:

Property	Description
Resource Name	The name assigned to this MFL file.
Created By	The user who created this MFL file or imported it into the configuration.
Created On	The date and time that the user created this MFL file or imported it into the configuration.
References	The number of objects that this MFL file references. If such references exist, click the link to view a list of the objects. To learn more, see Viewing References.
Referenced by	The number of objects that reference this MFL file. If such references exist, click the 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.To learn more, see Viewing References.
Description	A description of this MFL file, if one exists.
MFL Text	The text for this MFL.


 
If you have not already done so, from the left navigation pane, under Change Center, click Create to create a new session or click Edit to enter an existing session to make changes to the current configuration. To learn more, see Using the Change Center.
To make a change to the fields, click Edit. For a description of the fields, see Adding an MFL.

Note: You cannot change the Resource Name field.

Do one of the following:
• To update the MFL file, click Save. The MFL file is updated.

The Summary of MFL Files page is displayed.

• To disregard changes, click Cancel.

Note: The MFL file resource is updated in the current session. When you have finished making changes to this configuration, from the left navigation pane, click Activate under Change Center. The session ends and the configuration is deployed to run time. Alternatively, click Discard at any time during the session to delete the changes you have made so far in the current session.

Related Topics

Deleting an MFL

 

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Deleting an MFL

The Summary of MFL Files page enables you to delete MFL (Message Format Language) files. An MFL 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. To learn more, see Overview of MFLs.

Note: You cannot delete a resource if it is referenced by other resources in AquaLogic Service Bus. Instead of the Delete icon, a Delete icon with a red X is displayed for these resources.

To Delete an MFL

If you have not already done so, from the left navigation pane, under Change Center, click Create to create a new session for making changes to the current configuration. To learn more, see Using the Change Center.
From the left navigation pane, select MFLs from under Resource Browser. The Summary of MFL Files page is displayed.
In the Options field of the MFL you want to delete, click the Delete icon.

The MFL file is removed from the list.

Note: If necessary, you can undo the deletion of this resource. To learn more, see Undoing a Task.

The MFL file resource is deleted in the current session. When you have finished making changes to this configuration, from the left navigation pane, click Activate under Change Center. The session ends and the configuration is deployed to run time. Alternatively, click Discard at any time during the session to delete the changes you have made so far in the current session.

Related Topics

Listing and Locating MFLs

Adding an MFL

Viewing and Changing Details of an MFL

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