Working with process data

If a map uses process data in standard or extended rules, you can supply process data values by downloading a process data values input template for a particular version of the map. Then, you can edit the process data values input template to construct (external to Configuration Hub) a process data values input file for the map version by adding appropriate values for the process data elements. The process data values input file is then used to validate the map before you deploy it to CTE.

Before you begin

To deploy a map to CTE, validation is run against the map to ensure that it can transform the provided input file. Since the validation is a stand-alone transformation test and not part of a full workflow, data elements that come later from process data are not available to the transformation validation. To support maps that rely on process data, you can provide a sample value for each process data element that is expected by the map.

Important: The map editor tool does not support providing process data during the SPE Remote Map Test. Therefore, if you test (through the map editor tool) a map that uses process data, you might receive transformation errors.

If a map uses process data, you need to create a process data values input file to be used with the map. You start by downloading the process data values input template for the map version. The process data values input template for a particular map version is generated for the process data for the selected map version when you download the template. The template is downloaded as a text file and contains the possible process data elements for the map (with no corresponding values listed). You can edit the process data values input template (external to Configuration Hub) to create a process data values input file that is used when the transformation test runs. When you edit the process data values input template to create the process data values input file, you add the values to the appropriate process data elements.

Important: You must add a value for any mandatory process data element. If a mandatory element does not contain a value, a transformation error occurs and you are unable to deploy the map to CTE. Be sure that each mandatory element has a realistic value that supports the expectations of the map and also supports the specific input file that you uploaded with your modified map. Depending on the process data that you need for a map, you can add, modify, and delete elements from the process data values input template.

After you add the process data values, you save the process data values input file. Save the process data values input file with the same name as the downloaded process data values input template. Then, you can upload the process data values input file.

Procedure

From the side navigation menu, select Company resources > Mappings. Then, select a map to view its map details, including previous map versions.
The Production tab is displayed by default, showing the current map that is deployed in production and all other versions of the same map that were created for production.
On the Version card, select the map version for which you want to download the process data values input template.
On Map assets, click the Process data input template download icon to download it.
The process data values input template is downloaded as a text file named <MapName>_ProcessDataTemplate_<MapVersion>.txt, to which you can add your values.
If you add values to the Process data input template, save the file with the naming convention <MapName>_ProcessData_<MapVersion>.txt.
For example, if the name of the process data values input template is Map123_ProcessDataTemplate_21.txt, add the appropriate values and save the process data values input file with the name Map123_ProcessData_21.txt.
To select a process data values input file to be used when the transformation test is run (or to choose to not use process data), click Check out to check out the map.
The Select process data input file card displays the last selection that was made for the map. If a process data values input file selection was not previously made, Do not use the process data input file is selected by default.
1. If you do not want to use a process data values input file, click Do not use process data input file.
  Important: If you choose Do not use process data input file but the map does require process data, the transformation test fails and you are then unable to deploy the map to CTE.
2. If you want to use a process data values input file, click Use process data input file.
  Tip: The process data values input file is a text file with the naming convention <MapName>_ProcessData_<MapVersion>.txt. If you already uploaded a process data values input file, the most recently available process data values input file is displayed. This option uses the most recent process data values input file that is available for the map.
  Important: The supported file extension for process data values input files is .txt. The process data values input file size must be less than 1 megabyte.
  1. If you did not previously select a process data values input file to be used, click Select to select the file to be used. Then, type a Change description and click Upload.
  2. If you want to upload a new process data values input file after already uploading at least one file but before you deploy the map to CTE, click Upload new file. Then, type a Change description and click Upload.
    Important: For CMD maps, be sure to save a copy of the updated process data values input file locally for future use. Saving the file locally is important because after a CMD map is deployed to production IBM Support deletes the map (and the process data values input file is also deleted).

What to do next

If you need to make more changes to the process data values input file later, in Map assets, click the Process data input file download icon to download the current file. The process data values input file is downloaded as a text file that you can revise and then upload again. Then, you can check out the map and return to the Select the process data input file card to upload the revised process data values input file.

After you select the process data values input file (or choose to not use one), upload your map changes in the Upload modified map card. The process data values input file is not associated with the map version until the map is uploaded.