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Use

The SAP NetWeaver connection framework extends the JCA connectivity logic by enabling the retrieval of metadata on the connection, such as connection groups, and on the connection properties, such as property type, default status, and valid values. Regarding connection groups, note that SAP systems may have different types of connectivity, such as by means of connection string, application server, or with load balancing.

Connection Metadata

Obtaining a connection using the JCA standard is initiated with ConnectionFactory . The connector framework extends IConnectionFactory with methods returning additional interfaces extending the flexibility of back-end connectivity. See the following table for brief description of the connectivity interfaces.

Interface

Description

IConnection

Provides an application level connection handler and can be used for obtaining Interaction and Execution objects and metadata.

The entry point for the connector to perform an operation like getting metadata, launching a query, or getting a native interface. Once the basic connection has been established, additional functions can be enabled.

IConnectionFactory

Extends JCA to get the Connection object and extended metadata.

Gets an instance of the connection based on the given ConnectionSpec collection.

IConnectionMetaData

Gets extended connection property information from the EIS.

IConnectionSpec

Defines the metadata of the connection; a collection of properties that have to be specified to connect to a back-end application. A connection property consists of:

  • System-parameter or user-parameter

    The system-parameter is shared among all users, while a default value for the user-parameter may be overridden by the user mapping.

  • Is the parameter mandatory

  • The data type of the parameter

  • The default value of the parameter

  • A list of valid values for the parameter

IConnectionSpecMetaData

Defines the metadata of the connection of the connection properties.

INative

Enables the use of EIS interfaces exposed directly to the client application using the connector.