Adding a formatter node

Every Single Action EJB node and business process node need a pair of formatter nodes to exchange data between requests, responses, and contexts. An in formatter converts a request message to the process context, while an out formatter converts the process context to a response message.

The following steps describe how to add an in formatter node to a business process node:

  1. From the Graphical Editor view of the Graphical Builder, select FormatNode under the CompositonNode and then click in formatter container of the business process node to which you want to add this formatter node. The in formatter container is a left-arrow at the right of the business process node.

    Screen capture a business process node with the in formatter specified

    The in formatter container turns from grey to red after you add the formatter node to the container. That is because the formatter node is not correctly configured at this time.
  2. Put your cursor over the formatter node. A message box pops up showing the name of this formatter node. It has a default value..
  3. Double-click the name of the formatter node. The Formatter Node Dialog box pops up.
  4. Selecting a formatter definition for the formatter node:
    • If you already have a formatter to use with this formatter node, click Browse and locate your .fmte file. You can then select a formatter defined in that file from the Formatter ID drop-down list.
    • If you do not have an existing formatter to use with this presentation node, click the Create button, enter the ID of the CHA context that you want to create, and click the OK button to create a formatter for this node. After the formatter is created, you can modify the properties of this formatter with the Format Editor.
      Note: The Format Editor starts automatically each time you start the Graphical Builder.
After you configure the formatter node with the Formatter Node Dialog box, the formatter container turns to grey again.