Writing code for a .NETInput node

Create code for message flows containing a .NETInput node by double-clicking the node to start Microsoft Visual Studio.

Before you begin

  • Install Microsoft Visual Studio 2019.
  • Create a message flow that contains a .NETInput node.
Tip: If the IBM® App Connect Enterprise Toolkit is installed after Microsoft Visual Studio, the integration node Project templates will be automatically installed ready for you to use. However, if the IBM App Connect Enterprise Toolkit is installed first, you must manually install the Microsoft Visual Studio templates. This installation can be achieved by running the file IBM.Broker.DotNet.vsix and stepping through the wizard, accepting the license file as part of the process. If the default installation location was used for IBM App Connect Enterprise Toolkit, the file can be found at the location C:\Program Files\IBM\ACE\13.0.n.0\tools\iibt.

About this task

You write and compile your code in Microsoft Visual Studio. The following IBM App Connect Enterprise templates are provided for C#, Visual F#, and Visual Basic:
  • Create a polling-based IBM Integration input node.
  • Create an event-driven IBM Integration input node.

Procedure

  1. Double-click the .NETInput node. Alternatively, right-click the node and select Open Microsoft Visual Studio.
    If there is a Microsoft Visual Studio project or solution name on the Visual Studio panel, the project or solution automatically loads when Microsoft Visual Studio opens.
  2. In Microsoft Visual Studio, select New Project.
    You can then select an IBM Integration project from beneath the language of your choice; C#, F# and Visual Basic.
  3. Select a project from the list. For the .NETInput node, you can choose:
    • Create a polling-based IBM Integration input node
    • Create an event-driven IBM Integration input node
    The project then generates skeleton code that matches the selected type. This skeleton code then displays in the corresponding .NET language editor, for example; C#.
  4. Expand the UserCode region, and write your code.
    Content assist is available in this region. Press Ctrl+Space to invoke it.
  5. Optional: Use the methods available for your .NETInput node.
    See Methods for a .NETInput node.
  6. Save the class and build the solution, making a note of the path to the assembled file.

What to do next

  • You might want to debug your .NET code.

    To debug a.NETInput node that is running inside the integration server, place the .pdb file for the assembly that implements the node in the same directory as the assembly for the node, and attach Microsoft Visual Studio to the DataFlowEngine.exe process. You can then place breakpoints in your code and examine variables, for example; when the breakpoint is hit.

  • Associate your code with the .NETInput node.