Integrating to the max...BizTalk Style

  In case the mapper fails (and only then, these steps will help you out a bit!) when you do Test map, and it seems to be caused by a Custom Functoid that can not be loaded, perform the following steps; You have to call the ‘Debug’ map, this will generate the XSLT and will start the debugging This will give you an error in case there are errors Look in the output window, for the clear and distinct hint (e.g. : NS0 is the namespace causing the problem); Now perform a ‘Validate’ map to get the Extension XSLT; Open the .extxml.xml Look for the specific namespace (NS0): Open the custom functoid and make sure that the classname / SetExternalFunctoin are EXACTLY identical. If this is the case, you can do the following (but you’re problably in the zone….the problem zone) 1) Perform a build on the Functoid library 2) Redeploy the Functoid library 3) Restart visual studio 4) Open the map, Reset the toolbox 5) Verify that the map works LAST RESORT!! 6) Remove t...

  I had the weirdest issue, a helperclass that was called by a functoid did not returned to correct result in the debugger (And in the mapping result). After a redeploy, rebuild, clean solution, removing and adding the dlls in the GAC I couldn’t figure out what the issue was.. Somehow variables were shuffled, an Integer became a string and viceversa…. After finding out that the Incense warehouse was closed, I knew I had to do something unexpected…..I renamed the variables…magically it worked?? Well, another couple of hours of my life spent on utter ridiculous weirdness….so if you have this problem….do what you think shouldn’t be required, thinking different might do the trick. Kind regards, Sander

  To be able to configure default value for artifacts that are created from within Visual Studio we can leverage the ‘Item Template‘ functionality. I have done this to adjust the mapping behavior , specifically the value for setting ‘GenerateDefaultFixedNodes’ which is default ‘YES’. See my previous post on this subject. Tags van Technorati: Item Templates BizTalk Mapper Mapper behavior Below are the steps to follow The ItemTemplates is a folder that contains the template files used when you create a new item. The map template can be found in the folder: Map Files This is a .zip file that contains a .BTM file. Change the value of ‘GenerateDefaultFixedNodes’ to one of the above values and save the .zip file. After changing the value, the template is not working, why??? The templates are cached in the folder: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\Common7\IDE\ ItemTemplatesCached \BizTalk\ Map Files You have to register the value by entering the followin...

  ‘Challenge’: Schema Elements with an attribute having a default value are ALWAYS generated, this is because of the default mapping behavior. Structure of this post: What is the problem Why is this How to overcome this Change BizTalk behavior using visual studio templates What is the problem Attributes with a Default Value are generated even though the element is optional. Consider this schema, which has an Data element. The element ‘OptionalAttributeDefault’ is optional (minoccurs:0) and has an attribute with a Default value: ‘LINUX’ The element ‘RequiredAttributeDefault’ is mandatory (minoccurs:1) and has an attribute with a Default value: ‘CAT141.12’ The element ‘RequiredDefaultValue’ is mandatory (minoccurs:1) and has a default value: ‘Test’ When we execute the map which does not map the ‘Data’ element like this: The XML output generated is: <ns0:Destination xmlns:ns0=" http://AttributeTest.Schema2" >     <Name>Name_0</N...

  I came across this tool to extract the scripts from maps found in a folder and really like it. Running the tool on my project BizTalk 2010, I had some errors (minor), I have posted a patch with some minor modifications. If anyone is an Xslt Guru, please contribute because this would make it a perfect tool to generate Mapping documentation!   Cheers, Sander

I am now using the BizTalk mapper 2010 frequently, I faced 2 changes I don’t appreciate: PROS - Search elements When you type in a fieldname, it is highlighted! You can even toggle buttons so that only the highlighted elements are shown. Cool - Copy Paste Copy/paste works like a charm, elements can be selected easily and it now works as it should have been a long time…intuitive. CONS - Replace functoid does not work anymore It used to be, that when you drag a functoid and drop it over a functoid already on the mapping grid that it would replace the existing functoid. Well, it’s noted, not really what I wanted. - Create a message from scratch When I make a new message and I don’t have input for it a Assign a new message using a Message variable of type XmlDoc. Assign it a value with the first element of the schema (e.g. <Error />) and then use the mapper to set all the different elements in the message (using a string concatenate with an empty value). I am not 100% finished with a...