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Transformers

Transformers are used to convert different message formats received by the IFS Connect framework to formats which are understandable by IFS REST APIs and PL/SQL methods.

Transformer Types

Two main transformer types are available.

  • Java

Creating Java transformers are more cumbersome compared to XSLT transformers. A special transformer project must be created either using IFS Developer Studio or a third-party tool like Altova MapForce. This project must be checked into version control to support any future changes. Only the compiled class file of the project is loaded to the transformer. Transformation logic is not visible without either decompiling the class file or looking at the original transformer project. However, the transformation process is powerful since all features of Java can be utilized in the transformation logic. This transformer is more suited to transform non-xml data.

  • XSLT

If the requirement is to restructure an XML message to match the format expected by IFS, this transformer is ideal. Online XSLT tools can be used to create the XSLT file. This XSLT file is directly loaded to the transformer. XSLT file is checked-in to version control as the standard practice. However, even without the version controlled file, transformation logic is immediately accessible via the loaded XSLT file.

Special Transformers

Special transformers have been introduced by IFS Connect framework to support conversion of SOAP XML formats to REST API compatible data formats and vice versa.

  • IFS_XML_TO_JSON
  • IFS_XML_TO_JSON_GENERIC
  • IFS_JSON_TO_XML_GENERIC