Integration with Software AG webMethods Suite Components and Products
Copy-Paste/Drag 'n Drop of Entities between ApplinX Servers/Applications
From ApplinX version 8.1, the installation process has changed and now uses the new Software AG installer. The installer enables downloading all the suite products which you have acquired. The installer also enables installing more than one ApplinX instance on the same machine. New installations cannot be installed in the same folder as previous major ApplinX installations and therefore you are required to migrate applications from previous versions. For detailed information regarding the installation process refer to the quick guide to installing a typical ApplinX installation or to Software AG Installation guide.
ApplinX has been integrated with Software AG webMethods Suite Components and Products and uses the following:
Software AG common Java package (based on JDK 1.6)
Software AG common Tomcat package (based on Tomcat 5.5)
Software AG common Eclipse package (based on Eclipse 3.4)
Software AG common Web Services Stack (8.0)
CentraSite plug-in (version 8.0) used to register web services to CentraSite using JAXR Protocol or for importing external web services definitions from CentraSite.
Screens can be identified and created quickly using general screen definitions. These definitions are used as the basic parameters of each new screen created. When the screen is identified, the unprotected field mappings are created automatically. The identification process can be initiated in three different modes:
Automatically: A screen will automatically be created for each unknown screen that matches a screen group. This screen will include basic screen definitions, which are defined in the screen group.
Semi-automatically: The New Screen Wizard will automatically be displayed for each unknown screen that suits a screen group. This screen will include basic screen definitions, which are defined in the screen group.
Manually: The New Screen Wizard is displayed when clicking on the Identify New Screen icon.
Refer to Creating Screens with Screen Creation Definitions
ApplinX enables importing maps and creating screens from a variety of host applications:
NATURAL maps.
BMS: CICS basic map support.
MFS: IMS message format service.
SDFX: ApplinX generic map format, used for other standard maps. To create SDFX files refer to SDFX File Format Definition.
SDF: Compatible with Software AG's JIS product.
For each of the screens created from a map, ApplinX creates a screen image, which reflects the map definitions.
This can be implemented via the Import Host Screen Maps wizard or via batch files. Refer to Importing a Host Application's Maps.
Dynamic field mapping enables mapping protected and unprotected fields according to leading labels as oppose to mapping fields according to a fixed position. This is particularly useful in the following cases:
The application has fields that are dynamically drawn on the screen.
Host applications are sometimes changed and items can be moved. Using dynamic field mappings, the fields will continue to be mapped and identified and the application will not be affected.
Using dynamic field mappings enables more flexibility when using Screen Groups, as Screens which include the same field, can be associated with the same Screen Group even when the field is located in a different position.
Refer to Map Fields section for further details as to how to map application fields according to their leading label.
Fields can automatically be mapped to screens by clicking on the "Automatically identify unprotected fields" icon in the Session View.
Character mode based host applications (VT protocol) are now supported. (This protocol was temporarily removed in the previous version and has now been reinstated). Note that this protocol is only permitted to be used for ApplinX SOA applications. Refer to the VT chapter.
Hitachi host (protocol TN560) has now been reinstated in ApplinX (supported only by ApplinX Servers installed on Win 32 platforms.).
ApplinX now fully supports Visual Studio .NET 2008/.NET 3.0/3.5 environment in addition to Visual Studio .NET 2005/.NET 2.0.
A new toolbar has been added to the HTML emulation. This tool bar includes the following icons: Logoff, Refresh screen, Display macro dialog box, Copy text to clipboard, Open FTP dialog box, Display Printlet frame, Print host screen snapshot, Set the font size and Choose the color set.
Additional documentation has been added to the API reference and framework task sections, detailing and describing the use of the available ApplinX framework JavaScript functions. Refer to Client Side (JavaScript) for details.
ApplinX supports copying and pasting/ dragging - dropping entities between multiple ApplinX servers/applications.
New Web application templates have been added ("Red", "Blue" and "Silver".).
Web templates are now available in Eclipse new "Dynamic web project" using the ApplinX Frameworks Project Facets.
The screen image of a screen entity can be updated by clicking on the "Capture screen image" icon in the Session View.
Strong names have been added to ApplinX .Net framework assemblies.
JSP Web applications for ApplinX can now be run on J2EE Preview Web server which is provided by Eclipse. Refer to "how to create a new web application"
Path and Flow procedure editors have undergone changes to improve usability and functionality:
A search option has been added in the Procedure editor. The Search option enables searching for a key word within the procedure nodes. The text is searched for within the description, details or name of the nodes. The nodes which contain the text will be selected and expanded in the tree.
Mapping improvements: Mapped links are listed under the relevant node in the procedure nodes tree. This is in addition to the mappings being indicated by lines, linking between the source element and the target element.
Screen groups are now supported within nodes which are related to screens. In additional a new node has been added which checks whether the current host screen is a member of a screen group (Is member of group).
New nodes have been added:
The Screen Properties node enables retrieving the following screen properties: the row, column and/or field where the cursor is positioned, the width and height of the screen and an indication whether the screen is a window or not.
Sleep node: The Sleep node causes the procedure to pause for the defined number of milliseconds. This node is typically used in complicated customized wait conditions.
User interface related improvements such as toggle of options and drop down lists (replacing wizards) have been added, to enhance the user interface experience.
An internal server side Keystore has been implemented, to be used for importing certificates with the need to create a keystore manually. The user interface has been improved to suit these changes.
The Server log can now also be accessed from the Designer using an external browser. For further details refer to Viewing the Server Log.
The application map toolbar enables quick navigation within the session view (online), as well as testing application map navigation. Refer toTesting the Application Mapand to Navigating within a Session.
