IBM E02HMLL-I Implementation Guide - Page 27

v From application-specific to generic when business objects pass from connectors to collaborations v From generic to application-specific when business objects pass from collaborations to connectors Each connector controller manages the mapping of business objects that pass between its connector agent and the InterChange Server Express. The maps themselves are created through the use of the mapping tools-Map Designer Express and Relationship Designer Express. These tools let you create and modify detailed mapping specifications and execute mapping at runtime. A connector controller invokes the mapping function when it receives business objects that require mapping. Figure 9 illustrates the invocation of mapping from the connector controller. InterChange Server Mapping Specifications and Execution Collaboration Generic Business Objects Generic Application-Specific Connector Controller Connector Controller Connector Controller App A Business Objects App A Connector Agent App B Business Objects App B Connector Agent App C Business Objects App C Connector Agent Figure 9. Mapping control and execution Types of data transformations A map associates a source business object with a destination business object, and contains a series of transformation steps-one for each attribute that is being transformed. Each transformation step contains Java code that calculates the value of the attribute. You need a map for every business object that you intend to transfer between different applications. When you modify business objects, you might also need to modify the associated maps. You typically create one map for each source business object you want to transform. Chapter 1. Overview of IBM WebSphere Business Integration Server Express 15