Sunday, September 20, 2009

BI Publisher: Bursting Designer

What is the Bursting Designer?

The bursting designer is a new application that allows developers to build, run and test burst control files (see Figure 1). Developers of all skill levels can now implement bursting easily!

Why use the Bursting Designer?

The Bursting Designer will enhance your productivity significantly and make your bursting development easier. Below is a high-level list of benefits the tool provides:
  • Minimal knowledge is needed to build a configuration
  • Build a burst control file in minutes
  • Preview a burst control file as it's being built (See Figure 2)
  • Test the burst control file (See Figure 3)
  • Review/Analyze your delivery channels
  • View errors or troubleshoot misconfiguration
  • It's free!
Getting Started

Below is a list of video tutorials. It's recommend that developers of all skill levels review each video before trying to create a control file. This is especially true for rookie's. The video's are fast paced so you may need to pause or replay them to get the full value. This is especially true for the Bursting Designer Features.

Video Tutorials - Quicktime Required
Bursting Designer Features
Bursting Designer Lesson 1 - What is Bursting
Bursting Designer Lesson 2 - Creating a Burst Control File

Bursting Designer Download Site
Bursting Designer - By clicking on the download link you will be redirected to a different site. The bursting designer is java webstart application. Java 6 is required to run this application. It's recommended to bookmark this particular blog and the download site. This is because you will need to use these links every time you wish to run the Bursting Designer or find news about updates. It's technically not a requirement to use the webstart application for the java savvy developers but in doing so you will miss out on future updates and releases. It's important to note the Bursting Designer jar files will be loaded on your machine. This allows for a significant increase in performance. If you need to remove this application for some reason, go to add/remove applications.

This is a beta release of the Bursting Designer. There are some features that are still being developed below is a list:
  • XDO uri support
  • Request Removal *Manually edit the burst control file to remove a request
  • File Browsing for File Delivery and Template Fields
If you would like to request an enhancement please feel free to post a question on this blog. Also, If you would like to participate in the development of the Bursting Designer contact me via e-mail.

Updates/Bug Fixes
  • Request Removal is now fixed. Before removing a request make sure it's the selected one, the selected one gets removed.

Figure 1:


Figure 2:


Figure 3:



IMPORTANT: If you have questions about the Bursting Designer or if you find a bug please post a question on this blog. If you do not post your comment on this post, I will reject your comment. I've had some complaints in recent months that it's hard to find answers on my blog because of cross post Q&A. If you e-mail me a question about the Bursting Designer be forewarned, I may ask you to post your question on this post.

Also, The source code is available for the Bursting Designer upon request. Note: You cannot sell, copyright, distribute or reproduce the software without the express written consent of Ike Wiggins.

51 comments:

Periyasamy said...

Very nice..

Kevin Bouwmeester said...

This is a very handy tool! Saves me the hassle of typing in the bursting control file XML...

Good job!

Anonymous said...

What version of BiPublisher for EBS do we need in order to use your new Bursting Designer?

We currently have 5.6.3.

Ike Wiggins said...

The Bursting Designer is using 5.6.3 libraries.

Burst Control file that are generated with the Bursting Designer should be compatible with R12 installations.

If yourself or others find an issue in regards to R12, please let me know and I'll create a release of the Bursting Designer.

Anonymous said...

Hi. This is a very good tool. I was able to make the file delivery working in no time.

I would just like to ask on the details of the pronter delivery mode. What would be the specification of each field?

Thank you.

Ike Wiggins said...

Creating a printer delivery is similar to creating a file delivery.

The following fields need to be populated. Below is an example:

id=print

printer=http://localhost:631/printers/hp_office_jet

copies=1

That's all that needs to be populated for the delivery. You would need to setup the document as you would for any other delivery.

Ganesh said...

How to use the control file in peoplesoft ??

Is there any option in 8.49 or 8.50 version ??

Ike Wiggins said...

I assumed the control file was the same. Is it different?

Please advice.

Ike

me said...

Can we use this in Windows..I understand the video tutorial are in Mac Operating system?

Thanks for your reply

Ike Wiggins said...

Yes, you can run the Bursting Designer on ANY operating system that has java.

If you have not done so already, please install Java 1.6

Ike

me said...

Thanks a lot for your reply.

I get the below error message on using in Windows.
Could you please suggest what went wrong.

[102009_075043388][][EXCEPTION] java.io.FileNotFoundException: C:\Documents and Settings\pavankumar.a\Desktop\transaction
at oracle.apps.xdo.template.pdf.util.FormUtil.createURL(FormUtil.java:2205)
at oracle.apps.xdo.batch.BurstingProcessorEngine.burstingRequest(BurstingProcessorEngine.java:2673)
at oracle.apps.xdo.batch.BurstingProcessorEngine.burstingEndElement(BurstingProcessorEngine.java:2113)
at oracle.apps.xdo.batch.BurstingProcessorEngine.endElement(BurstingProcessorEngine.java:1498)
at oracle.xml.parser.v2.XMLContentHandler.endElement(XMLContentHandler.java:196)
at oracle.xml.parser.v2.NonValidatingParser.parseElement(NonValidatingParser.java:1212)
at oracle.xml.parser.v2.NonValidatingParser.parseRootElement(NonValidatingParser.java:301)
at oracle.xml.parser.v2.NonValidatingParser.parseDocument(NonValidatingParser.java:268)
at oracle.xml.parser.v2.XMLParser.parse(XMLParser.java:201)
at oracle.apps.xdo.batch.BurstingProcessorEngine.burstingConfigParser(BurstingProcessorEngine.java:1340)
at oracle.apps.xdo.batch.BurstingProcessorEngine.process(BurstingProcessorEngine.java:1297)
at oracle.apps.xdo.batch.DocumentProcessor.process(DocumentProcessor.java:213)
at bipublisher.burst.listener.BurstDesignerListener.run(BurstDesignerListener.java:61)
at java.lang.Thread.run(Unknown Source)

[102009_075043388][][EXCEPTION] java.lang.NullPointerException
at oracle.xml.parser.v2.XMLParser.parse(XMLParser.java:200)
at oracle.apps.xdo.batch.BurstingProcessorEngine.burstingRequest(BurstingProcessorEngine.java:2674)
at oracle.apps.xdo.batch.BurstingProcessorEngine.burstingEndElement(BurstingProcessorEngine.java:2113)
at oracle.apps.xdo.batch.BurstingProcessorEngine.endElement(BurstingProcessorEngine.java:1498)
at oracle.xml.parser.v2.XMLContentHandler.endElement(XMLContentHandler.java:196)
at oracle.xml.parser.v2.NonValidatingParser.parseElement(NonValidatingParser.java:1212)
at oracle.xml.parser.v2.NonValidatingParser.parseRootElement(NonValidatingParser.java:301)
at oracle.xml.parser.v2.NonValidatingParser.parseDocument(NonValidatingParser.java:268)
at oracle.xml.parser.v2.XMLParser.parse(XMLParser.java:201)
at oracle.apps.xdo.batch.BurstingProcessorEngine.burstingConfigParser(BurstingProcessorEngine.java:1340)
at oracle.apps.xdo.batch.BurstingProcessorEngine.process(BurstingProcessorEngine.java:1297)
at oracle.apps.xdo.batch.DocumentProcessor.process(DocumentProcessor.java:213)
at bipublisher.burst.listener.BurstDesignerListener.run(BurstDesignerListener.java:61)
at java.lang.Thread.run(Unknown Source)

Thanks a lot,

Ike Wiggins said...

[102009_090835734][][EXCEPTION] java.io.FileNotFoundException: C:\Documents and Settings\pavankumar.a\Desktop\transaction

The path to the file is wrong or the file doesn't exist. Just so you know this has been tested in the windows environment, unix, mac os environment without any issues.

Suggest you change the path to go to c:\ and make sure there are no spaces in the file name. Also, looks like you are not putting a file extension on your format template???You need to have .rtf

me said...

Thanks a billion for you reply.
I have checked the logfile and found the message that the fiel doesnot exist.I can confirm you that the file is present,but I dont undesrstand why it says file is not present.However I will make some other tries an come back to you,

Again thanks a lot for your excellent support.

If I am able to debug this isssue this tool will drastically reduce the efforts in development:)

Will revert back to u:)

Anonymous said...

When I click the launch button, the app downloads, then fails to launch. After it finishes downloading, I see a window flash onto the screen for a split second, then it disappears and nothing else happens. After trying a few times, I was able to read the title of that window. It says "Warning - Security".

Any idea how i can get this working? google didn't help.

Thanks!
sc

Ike Wiggins said...

Three things:

1. Make sure you have JRE 1.6 installed. To find out what version your running go to
start->run
type: cmd, hit return
type: java -version

2. Uninstall the Bursting Designer go to add/remove programs, then reinstall. Important: You must accept the security certificate and click allow.

Failure to do this can cause issues. Note: It may not be installed because java install may have failed. When you click the install button, it checks the JRE and if it's lower than 1.6 it attempts to update it. If your running a very old version of java it can fail during this phase.

3. Optionally, lower the security level on your browser.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the reply!
Unfortunately, still no dice.
-Running java version "1.6.0_15"
-Deleted Bursting Designer (using Java Control Panel) from Java cache. I don't see it listed in Windows Add/Remove Programs.
-I think the "accept security certificate" is the window that's flashing up and disappearing right away so I can't accept it.
-Tried reducing security level and adding the launch page site to "Trusted sites"
-cleared browser cache
-restarted pc
-tried saving jnlp file to desktop, double-clicking that. same thing. Java 6 splash screen, then "Warning - Security" window blips by, then nothing.

sc

Ike Wiggins said...

I don't think the JNLP file is associated correctly in windows or it's pointed at the wrong runtime environment.

I ran into this issue myself when I first deployed and tested in windows. That's why I set up the JNLP associations on the download page.

Follow these steps:

To set up the association between *.jnlp files and javaws.exe in Windows which also handles IE:
1. In Windows, not IE, click Start | Settings | Control Panel | Folder Options | File Types.
2. Check to see if there is already an association for *.jnlp files.
3. If there is no entry for *.jnlp files already then click new | advanced | select "jnlp file"
4. If there is an entry, select it and click advanced.
5. Then edit the open application used to perform action field and make sure it is set to "C:\Program Files\java\jre...\bin\javaws.exe ""%1". Uncheck DDE.
6. Click OK.
7. Click Set As Default to make Open the default action. Likely Open will be the only action.
8. Click OK | Close.

Even after all this is done, IE will only half work. It will work with JNLP files loaded off the web, but not ones from local hard disk. This is because webservers provide a MIME type to give IE an extra hint, where the Windows file system provides no MIME types.

Ike Wiggins said...

SC, there is correction.

You just need to browse and find the javaws.exe you don't have to %1..

C:\Program Files\java\jre...\bin\javaws.exe

Anonymous said...

When I remove the "%1" after javaws.exe, I get an error message about not being able to launch the application. "InvalidArgumentException" due to spaces in the path to the launch file on my Desktop.

That aside, uninstalled Java and reinstalled 6u15. Cleared Bursting Designer from java cache, relaunched. Still nothing.

I got past the "Warning - Security" window by exporting the "Ike Wiggins" security certificate on my home pc and importing that into my work pc in the Java control panel. But now the "Bursting Control (beta)" window blips up for a split second and disappears right away.

I even turned on trace and logging in the java control panel, and nothing I don't see anything but the normal "reading certificates from...".

Thanks for your time on this Ike, but I think there's something bigger wrong with my pc that has nothing to do with your tool. I hate to waste your time on this.

sc

Ike Wiggins said...

Make sure the path to javaws.exe is correct and setup in your file extensions in windows. You could have multiple runtimes installed so make sure it's the correct one.

Goto add/remove programs and remove Bursting Designer installation if it exists. If it's installed it will be there.

What browser version are you running? if it's IE upgrade to the latest version. If that doesn't work switch to firefox.

Anonymous said...

I do have a couple different runtimes installed, but I made sure my path only included 6u15 and made sure JAVA_HOME pointed to the right spot and made sure the File Type pointed to the right runtime. The same thing was happenning in IE, Firefox, AND launching from my Desktop copy of launch.jnlp.

I did just now find something that works though! In my downloaded copy of launch.jnlp, I changed the -Xmx option in java-vm-args to -Xmx768m.
I noticed that when I launched it from my desktop, I started getting log files like "hs_err_pid5708.log". In there it was saying "A fatal error has been detected by the Java Runtime Environment..." and a huge stack dump. It said nothing about memory, but when I googled that message, it led me to the answer. Apparently 1024m is too much memory to ask for!? Strange stuff.
sc

Ike Wiggins said...

glad to hear you got it working. Will try and write up trouble shooting post sometime this weekend.

me said...

Could you please provide me the xml and RTF files you have used for the demonstration explained in the video tutorial.This would help me in fast analysis.

Thanks a lot in advance!

Awaiting you reply.

Ike Wiggins said...

You can find those examples and many more in the BI Publisher ToolBox download.

http://bipublisher.blogspot.com/2009/10/bi-publisher-toolbox.html

You'll need to change the path to format template and output file in the burst ctrl file.

Ike

Unknown said...

Hi,

I have installed jre6 and done the setup acoording to the IE.
But I am not able to install the bursting designer.When I click on the launch button am able to see the Downloading the application window but with only cancel button .There is no installing bar ..
Please provide us the solution on this.

Regards,
Yudhistar

Ike Wiggins said...

It's a memory issue on your PC.

Download the JNLP file and change the memory 1024 to 768....

Ike Wiggins said...

I tried and it works for me. Uninstall the bursting designer and retry.

go to add/remove programs.

Also, suggest you open this with browser. Firefox would be a good choice.

Anonymous said...

Hi,
I have deleted the Java cache and re-tried the same but still I am facing the same problem.
Please suggest me.

Regards,
Yudhistar

Ike Wiggins said...

I'm able to download the jar file just fine for:

http://web.me.com/beth.wiggins/ike/bipublisher/BurstDesignerDist/lib/j5472959_xdo.jar

give it a try for yourself, paste the link in firefox and see if downloads. If it does lets scratch this off as an issue.

did u modify the contents of the JNLP file to have different memory options?

Graham Hewett said...

I think I found a bug. I loaded in a control file with 5 delivery destinations, and a corresponding document with filter for each one. After I changed the templates from xdo to local files it had managed to apply all templates to some of the documents.
I've got copies of the before and after files if you want me to email them to you.

Or its entirely possible that I've done something silly

Otherwise its a very useful tool

regards
Graham

Ike Wiggins said...

Hi Graham,

Thanks for the feedback. This is a beta release of the Bursting Designer. There are some features that are still being developed (or have not been developed). XDO uri is not supported at all. It would be some work to incorporate that, doable but time consuming dev....

If your looking to find out what features are unsupported take a look at the bottom of the bursting designer post.

Again, thanks for your feedback and I'm glad you find the tool useful.

By the way did you have any problems downloading the tool and installing the application? I'm assuming not but....

Ike

Anonymous said...

Hi,

Could you please let me know where I have to modify the contents of the jnlp file, this could help me a lot..

Regards,
Yudhistar

Ike Wiggins said...

Current Config:
<j2se java-vm-args="-Xms512m -Xmx1024m -Xdebug" version="1.5+"/>

Suggested Config for Yudhistar:

<j2se java-vm-args="-Xms128m -Xmx256m -Xdebug" version="1.5+"/>

Anonymous said...

Hi,
I have changed to the above memory values through opening the jnlp file in the edit plus, still I am getting the below messages under launch file tab.

j2se java-vm-args="-Xms512m -Xmx1024m -Xdebug" version="1.5+"

Is I have to increase the java cache memory ...If so how I can do it?

Regards,
Yduhistar

Ike Wiggins said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ike Wiggins said...

Suggested Config for Yudhistar:

<j2se java-vm-args="-Xms128m -Xmx256m -Xdebug" version="1.5+"/>

Anonymous said...

Hello Ike,
Bursting Designer errors during download. I love to have a look.

Thanks.
Pat

Ike Wiggins said...

Hi Pat, Just want you to know that several people have download this app with success. Your one of the rare cases. Hopefully we can get things worked out.

Three things:

1. Make sure you have JRE 1.6 installed. To find out what version your running go to
start->run
type: cmd, hit return
type: java -version

If it's says the version is not Java 1.6, download and install Java 1.6. If Java 1.6 is installed modify the PATH environment variable in windows to point at the right JRE.

2. Make sure the JNLP file is associated correctly in windows and or it's pointed at the right runtime environment.

I ran into this issue myself when I first deployed and tested in windows. That's why I set up the JNLP associations on the download page.

3. Turn on the debug console for the java runtime environment. This can be found under add/remove programs. This should show any errors that occur during the launch process of the Bursting Designer.

4. How much physical memory do you have on your machine? Program is coded to need a minimum of 256 megs if you do not have this available you will have to modify the JNLP file manually.

Ike Wiggins said...

Hi Pat,

Please disregard my last response. Turns out the JNLP code base location was pointing to my local drive. I fixed it. Thanks for letting me know about the issue.

Ike Wiggins

Pam Koertshuis said...

Ike, would you have some time to help me with this?
I've loaded my control file in the designer, loaded a sample XML file and said Run and then the designer killed itself.

I need to find out why my bursting control file does not pick up the printer from the XML data. As far as I can see the information is available in the XML (on the right level), just nothing comes out of the printer.
If I hardcode the printer name instead of using ${output_printer} it does work, so I'm sure the printer works, its just that he doesn't pick up my output_printer tag from the XML.

Your help would greatly be appreciated!

Ike Wiggins said...

Hi Pam,

Can you send me your control file. I would like to test it out my machine and fix whatever issue your having.

If you wouldn't mind, can you turn on the java debugger. If you go to control panel, you should see an icon for java. double click on the app. Select the show console option in Java Control Panel in the Advanced tab. This will let you see an errors that are occurring in the application or general debug info.

See the link below, go to the debug section:

http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/docs/guide/deployment/deployment-guide/jcp.html

http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/docs/guide/deployment/deployment-guide/console.html

Also, if you have not done so please verify the version of java your on.

start->run
type: cmd, hit return
type: java -version

If it's says the version is not Java 1.6, download and install Java 1.6. If Java 1.6 is installed modify the PATH environment variable in windows to point at the right JRE.

Now, as for the printer issue, my first thoughts are this without seeing the actual file.

1. XML is case sensitive, is the printer xml node upper case?
2. Is the printer node a child of the of the nodes selected in your xpath expression?
3. Finally, it could be a prunning issue. See: http://bipublisher.blogspot.com/2007/10/bi-publisher-bursting-how-to-resolve.html

Ike Wiggins said...

Pam, Your issue is now fixed in the Bursting Designer 3.7 with XDO Protocol support.

carlos said...

Very nice Job.

I have a question, i have 3 datasets:

Link image with 3 datasets.
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/8071/imagen3op.png

I need add 3 request for only output file, any ideas?

Is it possible with your program?

I show image:
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/8751/request.png

Thanks Ike

Ike Wiggins said...

Thats doable Carlos.

You can try this / or /DATA

Sundeep said...

Ike,
I tried your bursting designer tool. It recognizes and opens up and runs the bursting file that I created to use with oracle EBS. However, the same bursting file does not create bursted files in oracle EBS. Any reasons? The bursting file is

-
-
-
-
Mr. ${CP_RFAX_CONTACT}, Please review the attached document

-
${CP_RIGHT_FAX}



-





to run with your tool and on PC, I change the file paths to ones on my windows PC.
I appreciate your help. Thanks.

Ike Wiggins said...

Do you have any more information. Your comment doesn't have the control file.

If you changed the file paths to your pc that won't work when you upload it into the ebs.....

Sundeep said...

Ike, I don't know where did the copy and paste of my control file go. Anyways, this time I started from the scratch using the bursting designer, it worked on my PC and then uploaded to the Oracle EBS's linux box. I changed the control file to reflect linux folders, and ran it from oracle EBS. The results were the same. The program completed without error but there was no pdf file created.
The content of the control file are:








Mr. ${CP_RFAX_CONTACT},
Please review the
attached document




${CP_RIGHT_FAX}









The xmlp version on on oracle is 5.6.3.

Thanks,
Sundeep

rlg said...

How do I watch these videos? I get routed to iCloud.

Anonymous said...

iCloud window opens up when clicked on the Video..
How do I view these videos?
Have Java 1.6 and player.

Anonymous said...

Hi,
I'm working on a bursting program and we have to generate and burst invoices to a folder same as above.
We have translations and I added translations but when I open the folder I find all invoices and for the translated ones some data is missing like invoice number, date etc













Any suggestion?

Thanks in advance

Ike Wiggins said...

Your xml is being pruned, that's likely why the fields aren't being displayed. Make sure your xpath expression more inclusive.