Efficient use of Bundling
- by ACShorten
One of the discussions I am having with customers and consulting people is about the use of Bundling and its appropriate use. We introduced Bundling post release in the V2.2 code line to allow partners and consultants to build solutions using the Configuration Tools objects such as UI Maps, Service Scripts, Business Objects, Business Services etc and then export and migrate them as solutions. Whilst that was the original intent I have found a few teams using the facility for other data and then complaining about the efficiency or relevance of the tool.
Here are a number of guidelines to help optimize the use of Bundling for your implementation:
Not all objects can be bundled. Only specific objects in the product can be bundled. These are targetted at Configuration Tools objects and a select group of other objects that are required for these objects. Maintenance Objects with the option "Eligble for Bundling" set to Y (and also contains a Bundling Add BO).
Add objects to the Bundle as you complete them - Bundling can have issues with sequencing objects. The best way of combating this is to add objects to the bundle as you complete them. This will help with making sure you sequence the loading of the objects as you are building them in the correct order. Remember Bundling was designed for developers and partners to deliver solutions. If you leave adding objects to a Bundle using the Bundle Export zones then you will have less control of what sequence they are applied and this can cause timing issues.
Bundling takes the latest revision - If you combine Bundling with Revision Control then the Bundling will take the latest release of the object at the time of the export operation.
Bundling and Version Control products - If you use a version control tool to control your java code then you can also check in the Bundle to associate a release between code and a bundle.
Bundling is quite a powerful feature of the Oracle Utilities Application Framework that allows sales, partners, consultants and customers to package and import their Configuration Tools based solutions.
