Business objects from data structures

Business objects generated by the enterprise service discovery wizard or the enterprise data discovery wizard are similar to business objects created by the business object editor. In this section, we show you the type of business object created with these wizards, why you might want to use the business object editor to modify its attributes, and how to do so.

After using the enterprise service discovery wizard or the enterprise data discovery wizard, you will have business objects generated. These business objects typically represent the data structures and variables from applications on the EIS systems. We will look at the typical type of business object created and presented in the business object editor and focus on the type descriptor information you may want to examine and change. The type descriptor section allows the editing of application-specific information on business objects. Currently, this feature applies to COBOL and C and is applicable to business objects created from using the enterprise service discovery wizard on CICS® and IMS™ systems.

An important point to note is that the business objects created conform to the Enterprise Metadata Discovery specification. In particular, the business objects contain information described in the Application Specific Information (ASI) section. It provides a means to describe application-specific information. Using the business object editor on the business objects created by using the enterprise service discovery wizard, you can edit the application-specific information.

Looking at business objects created from the wizards

The business objects created by the wizards are placed in the Data Types folder of the navigation. Right-click one and from the pop-up menu select Open With > Business Object Editor. The business object editor opens with the fields and data types of the business object. The structure and relationship of the business object to other business objects is shown in the References view.


Business object from wizard

Selecting a field provides lower level attributes of it in the properties view such as the data type and length of the field, which you can alter.


Attributes of fields

Type descriptor information in business objects

When working with business objects created from discovering EIS systems, one set of fields you might typically change is the type descriptor fields, which are shown when you select the Application Info tab. For example, you might want to add a recognition description. Right-click on the appropriate element of the business object and select Add Child > td:RecognitionDesc. Type descriptor fields currently apply only to business objects created from using the enterprise service discovery wizard on CICS and IMS systems.

The td:RecognitionDesc element is used in applications with multiple possible outputs, as demonstrated in the Enterprise access to a CICS ECI server sample.


Adding additional output fields

Other type descriptor fields that can be changed in your business object include code pages and endian characteristics should you change platforms for example. The values in these fields can be changed by selecting the field and changing the value beside it.


Modifying type descriptor fields

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