Oracle® Configurator Developer
`
`User’s Guide
`
`Release 11i for Windows 95/98/2000 and Windows NT 4.0
`
`April 2002
`
`Part No. A87529-04
`
`This document describes how to build and deploy configuration models using
`Oracle Configurator Developer.
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`Oracle Configurator Developer User’s Guide, Release 11i for Windows 95/98/2000 and Windows NT 4.0
`
`Part No. A87529-04
`
`Copyright © 1999, 2002 Oracle Corporation. All rights reserved.
`
`Primary Author: Stephen R. Damiani
`
`Contributing Author: Tina Brand
`
`Contributor: Brent Benson, Michael Bo, George Colpitts, Rahul Gade, Belaji Iyengar, CK Jeyaprashash,
`Vinay Kamath, David Kulik, David Lee, Shantaram Nadkarni, Marty Plotkin, Alok Puranik, Srini
`Rangarajan, Mark Sawtelle, Harriet Shanzer, Anil Tandon, Jeffrey Turner, Bonus Varghese
`
`The Programs (which include both the software and documentation) contain proprietary information of
`Oracle Corporation; they are provided under a license agreement containing restrictions on use and
`disclosure and are also protected by copyright, patent and other intellectual and industrial property
`laws. Reverse engineering, disassembly or decompilation of the Programs, except to the extent required
`to obtain interoperability with other independently created software or as specified by law, is prohibited.
`
`The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. If you find any problems
`in the documentation, please report them to us in writing. Oracle Corporation does not warrant that this
`document is error-free. Except as may be expressly permitted in your license agreement for these
`Programs, no part of these Programs may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
`electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of Oracle Corporation.
`
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`behalf of the U.S. Government, the following notice is applicable:
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`computer software" and use, duplication, and disclosure of the Programs, including documentation,
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`52.227-19, Commercial Computer Software - Restricted Rights (June, 1987). Oracle Corporation, 500
`Oracle Parkway, Redwood City, CA 94065.
`
`The Programs are not intended for use in any nuclear, aviation, mass transit, medical, or other inherently
`dangerous applications. It shall be the licensee's responsibility to take all appropriate fail-safe, backup,
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`trademarks of their respective owners.
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`Contents
`
`List of Tables
`List of Figures
`
`Intended Audience .............................................................................................................................. xxi
`Documentation Accessibility ............................................................................................................. xxi
`Structure............................................................................................................................................... xxii
`Related Documents............................................................................................................................. xxiii
`Conventions......................................................................................................................................... xxiii
`Getting Help with Oracle Configurator Developer...................................................................... xxiv
`Product Support................................................................................................................................. xxiv
`
`1 Introduction
`1.1
`The Runtime Oracle Configurator ...................................................................................... 1-1
`1.2
`Plan your Project ................................................................................................................... 1-2
`1.2.1
`Identify your Product Data........................................................................................... 1-3
`1.2.2
`Design your Configuration Rules................................................................................ 1-4
`1.2.3
`Multi-User Development Strategy............................................................................... 1-5
`1.3
`Oracle Configurator Developer........................................................................................... 1-5
`1.3.1
`Repository Window....................................................................................................... 1-5
`1.3.2
`Model Window............................................................................................................... 1-5
`1.4
`The Overall Process............................................................................................................... 1-6
`1.4.1
`Setup for Implementation ............................................................................................. 1-6
`1.4.2
`Managing Models .......................................................................................................... 1-7
`1.4.3
`Building Models ............................................................................................................. 1-7
`1.4.4
`Deploying Models.......................................................................................................... 1-9
`1.5
`Multiple Language Support in Oracle Configurator ..................................................... 1-10
`
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`2 Managing Models
`2.1
`Model Referencing ................................................................................................................ 2-1
`2.1.1
`References and Rules ..................................................................................................... 2-2
`2.1.2
`References and Effectivity............................................................................................. 2-2
`2.1.3
`References and UI Definitions...................................................................................... 2-2
`2.1.4
`Copying Models with References ................................................................................ 2-3
`2.1.5
`References and BOM Models ....................................................................................... 2-4
`2.1.6
`Updating Referenced Models....................................................................................... 2-5
`2.1.7
`Creating a Model Reference.......................................................................................... 2-6
`2.1.8
`Display of Model References ........................................................................................ 2-6
`2.1.8.1
`Rules.......................................................................................................................... 2-7
`2.1.8.2
`Renaming Reference Nodes................................................................................... 2-7
`2.1.8.3
`User Interface........................................................................................................... 2-8
`2.1.8.4
`Viewing References................................................................................................. 2-8
`2.1.9
`Operations on a Model Reference................................................................................ 2-8
`2.2
`Publishing ............................................................................................................................. 2-10
`2.2.1
`The Publishing Process................................................................................................ 2-11
`2.2.2
`Applicability Parameters............................................................................................. 2-12
`2.2.2.1
`Selecting a Publication.......................................................................................... 2-14
`2.2.3
`Overlapping Applicability Parameters ..................................................................... 2-14
`2.2.4
`Publishing and Multiple Language Support............................................................ 2-15
`2.3
`Maintaining Publications ................................................................................................... 2-16
`2.3.1
`Publication Status......................................................................................................... 2-17
`2.3.2
`Maintaining Publications Example ........................................................................... 2-18
`2.3.3
`Creating a New Publication........................................................................................ 2-20
`2.3.3.1
`New Copy .............................................................................................................. 2-23
`2.3.4
`Updating a Publication................................................................................................ 2-23
`2.3.4.1
`Copying Model Data to a Database.................................................................... 2-25
`2.3.5
`Editing a Publication.................................................................................................... 2-26
`2.3.6
`Deleting a Publication.................................................................................................. 2-27
`
`3 About Models
`3.1
`The Item Master ..................................................................................................................... 3-1
`3.2
`Importing Data into the Item Master.................................................................................. 3-2
`3.2.1
`Item Types and Imported BOM Properties ................................................................ 3-2
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`3.3
`3.4
`3.4.1
`3.4.2
`3.5
`3.5.1
`3.5.2
`3.5.3
`3.5.3.1
`3.5.3.2
`3.5.3.3
`3.6
`3.7
`3.7.1
`3.7.1.1
`3.7.2
`3.7.2.1
`3.7.2.2
`3.7.3
`3.7.3.1
`3.7.4
`3.8
`3.8.1
`3.8.1.1
`3.8.1.2
`3.8.1.3
`3.8.1.4
`3.8.1.5
`3.8.2
`3.8.2.1
`3.8.2.2
`3.8.3
`3.8.4
`3.8.4.1
`3.8.4.2
`
`Properties................................................................................................................................ 3-4
`Effectivity................................................................................................................................ 3-6
`Effectivity Sets ................................................................................................................ 3-7
`Usages .............................................................................................................................. 3-7
`The Imported BOM Model................................................................................................... 3-8
`Required Components and Effective Dates ............................................................... 3-9
`Extending a BOM Model in Configurator Developer............................................. 3-10
`Viewing Imported BOM Model Nodes..................................................................... 3-10
`Properties and Imported BOM Model Structure.............................................. 3-11
`Imported BOM Model Names in the Model Window .................................... 3-11
`Decimal Quantities ............................................................................................... 3-12
`Imported ATO Rules........................................................................................................... 3-13
`Connectivity and Networks............................................................................................... 3-15
`Connectors and Target Models .................................................................................. 3-16
`Connector Targets and Model Structure ........................................................... 3-17
`Connectors and Configuration Rules........................................................................ 3-17
`Runtime Behavior of Rules Relating Connected Components ...................... 3-19
`Connection Filter Functional Companion......................................................... 3-19
`Connectors and the Runtime User Interface ............................................................ 3-20
`Connections and Runtime Navigation .............................................................. 3-21
`Overview of Creating a Model that Requires Connectivity .................................. 3-21
`Multiple Instantiation in Solution-Based Models........................................................... 3-22
`Multiple Instantiation Conditions ............................................................................. 3-22
`Hosting Applications............................................................................................ 3-22
`Data Import............................................................................................................ 3-23
`Top-Level Root ...................................................................................................... 3-23
`Nodes that Can Have Multiple Instances.......................................................... 3-23
`Nodes that Cannot Have Multiple Instances.................................................... 3-24
`Changing the Minimum and Maximum Number of Instances............................. 3-24
`Modifying the Instances Attribute in Configurator Developer ..................... 3-24
`Using Numeric Rules ........................................................................................... 3-25
`Loading Solution-Based Models ................................................................................ 3-25
`Creating Instances at Runtime ................................................................................... 3-26
`The Navigation Tree View................................................................................... 3-27
`Behavior of Instances............................................................................................ 3-27
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`4 Constructing Model Structure
`4.1
`The Model Window .............................................................................................................. 4-1
`4.2
`Model Structure ..................................................................................................................... 4-1
`4.3
`Building Model Structure..................................................................................................... 4-3
`4.3.1
`Creating a Component................................................................................................... 4-3
`4.3.2
`Creating a Feature .......................................................................................................... 4-4
`4.3.3
`Creating an Option......................................................................................................... 4-5
`4.3.4
`Creating a Total or Resource......................................................................................... 4-5
`4.3.5
`Creating a Connector ..................................................................................................... 4-6
`4.3.5.1
`Connectors and User Interface Objects................................................................ 4-7
`4.4
`Using Populators ................................................................................................................... 4-8
`4.4.1
`The Define Populator Dialog........................................................................................ 4-8
`4.4.2
`Creating and Modifying Populators.......................................................................... 4-11
`4.4.3
`Repopulating Model Data........................................................................................... 4-12
`4.4.4
`Deleting a Populator .................................................................................................... 4-12
`4.5
`Modifying the Item Master ................................................................................................ 4-12
`4.5.1
`Adding a New Item Type ........................................................................................... 4-12
`4.5.2
`Adding a New Item ..................................................................................................... 4-13
`4.5.3
`Changing the Item Type of an Item........................................................................... 4-13
`4.5.4
`Editing an Item or Item Type...................................................................................... 4-13
`4.5.5
`Deleting an Item or Item Type ................................................................................... 4-13
`
`5 Constructing Configuration Rules
`5.1
`The Configuration Rules Module........................................................................................ 5-1
`5.1.1
`Compiling Rules ............................................................................................................. 5-2
`5.1.2
`Configuration Rules and Logic State........................................................................... 5-2
`5.1.2.1
`Logic State in the Runtime User Interface .......................................................... 5-3
`5.1.3
`Effectivity and Logic State ............................................................................................ 5-4
`5.1.4
`Unsatisfied Rules............................................................................................................ 5-5
`5.1.4.1
`Examples of Unsatisfied Rules.............................................................................. 5-6
`5.1.4.2
`Unsatisfied Rule Messages .................................................................................... 5-7
`5.1.5
`Logical Relationships..................................................................................................... 5-8
`5.1.5.1
`Requires ................................................................................................................... 5-8
`5.1.5.2
`Implies ...................................................................................................................... 5-9
`5.1.5.3
`Excludes.................................................................................................................... 5-9
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`Negates ................................................................................................................... 5-10
`5.1.5.4
`Defaults................................................................................................................... 5-10
`5.1.5.5
`All True and Any True ................................................................................................ 5-11
`5.1.6
`Summary of Logical Relationships............................................................................ 5-12
`5.1.7
`Enforcing Logical Relationships........................................................................................ 5-12
`5.2
`Overriding User Selections in the Runtime UI ............................................................... 5-17
`5.3
`Types of Configuration Rules............................................................................................ 5-17
`5.4
`Rule Folders .................................................................................................................. 5-19
`5.4.1
`Enabling and Disabling Rules .................................................................................... 5-19
`5.4.2
`Building Configuration Rules............................................................................................ 5-20
`5.5
`Logic Rules ........................................................................................................................... 5-21
`5.6
`Building Logic Rules.................................................................................................... 5-21
`5.6.1
`Numeric Rules ..................................................................................................................... 5-21
`5.7
`Contributes to ............................................................................................................... 5-21
`5.7.1
`Consumes from ............................................................................................................ 5-22
`5.7.2
`Building Numeric Rules.............................................................................................. 5-22
`5.7.3
`Examples of Numeric Rules Using the Division Operator............................. 5-24
`5.7.3.1
`Building Rules Using Node Properties..................................................................... 5-25
`5.7.4
`Negative Contributions............................................................................................... 5-26
`5.7.5
`Unknown Values and Rule Propagation ......................................................................... 5-27
`5.8
`Comparison Rules ............................................................................................................... 5-27
`5.9
`Building Comparison Rules........................................................................................ 5-28
`5.9.1
`Compatibility Rules ............................................................................................................ 5-29
`5.10
`Property-based Compatibilities ................................................................................. 5-29
`5.10.1
`Building Property-based Compatibility Rules ................................................. 5-30
`5.10.1.1
`Explicit Compatibilities............................................................................................... 5-31
`5.10.2
`Building Explicit Compatibility Rules ............................................................... 5-33
`5.10.2.1
`5.11
`Design Charts....................................................................................................................... 5-33
`5.11.1
`Building Design Charts ............................................................................................... 5-38
`5.12
`Rule Sequences .................................................................................................................... 5-40
`5.12.1
`Viewing Rule Sequences ............................................................................................. 5-40
`5.12.2
`Rule Sequences and Effectivity Sets ......................................................................... 5-41
`5.12.3
`Creating a Rule Sequence............................................................................................ 5-42
`5.12.4
`Modifying a Rule Sequence ........................................................................................ 5-43
`5.12.4.1
`Reordering Rules in a Rule Sequence ................................................................ 5-43
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`Reordering Rules and Rule Effective Dates ...................................................... 5-44
`5.12.4.2
`Removing Rules from a Rule Sequence ............................................................. 5-45
`5.12.4.3
`Enabling and Disabling Rules in a Rule Sequence........................................... 5-46
`5.12.4.4
`5.13
`Advanced Expressions........................................................................................................ 5-46
`5.13.1
`The Advanced Expression Editor .............................................................................. 5-48
`5.13.2
`Building Advanced Expressions ................................................................................ 5-52
`5.13.2.1
`Operators................................................................................................................ 5-53
`5.13.2.2
`Precedence of Operators ...................................................................................... 5-53
`5.13.2.3
`Operands ................................................................................................................ 5-54
`5.13.2.4
`Functions ................................................................................................................ 5-54
`5.13.3
`Using NotTrue in Advanced Expressions ................................................................ 5-61
`5.13.4
`Advanced Expression Errors ...................................................................................... 5-61
`5.13.5
`Building Advanced Expressions for Rules ............................................................... 5-62
`5.14
`Functional Companions...................................................................................................... 5-62
`5.15
`Rules that Relate Components and Models..................................................................... 5-63
`
`6 Constructing the User Interface
`6.1
`The User Interface Module................................................................................................... 6-1
`6.1.1
`How the Oracle Runtime Configurator Displays the Model................................... 6-2
`6.1.1.1
`Runtime Oracle Configurator: Java Applet......................................................... 6-2
`6.1.1.2
`Runtime Oracle Configurator: DHTML............................................................... 6-3
`6.1.2
`How the Model Affects the User Interface ................................................................. 6-4
`6.1.2.1
`Data Fields................................................................................................................ 6-5
`6.1.2.2
`Data Field Labels..................................................................................................... 6-7
`6.1.2.3
`Add and Delete Buttons......................................................................................... 6-7
`6.1.2.4
`Feature Options and BOM Standard Items......................................................... 6-8
`6.1.3
`Pricing and ATP Display .............................................................................................. 6-9
`6.1.3.1
`Customize Pricing Display in the DHTML Window....................................... 6-10
`6.1.4
`Controlling Visibility ................................................................................................... 6-10
`6.1.4.1
`Dynamic Visibility ................................................................................................ 6-10
`6.1.5
`Runtime Navigation..................................................................................................... 6-11
`6.1.5.1
`Runtime Navigation Tree..................................................................................... 6-12
`6.1.5.2
`Navigation Buttons ............................................................................................... 6-12
`6.1.6
`Multiple Language Support and the Model User Interface ................................... 6-13
`6.1.6.1
`User Interface Captions........................................................................................ 6-13
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`6.1.6.2
`6.1.6.3
`6.1.7
`6.1.7.1
`6.1.7.2
`6.1.7.3
`6.1.7.4
`6.2
`6.2.1
`6.3
`6.3.1
`6.3.1.1
`6.3.2
`6.3.3
`6.3.3.1
`6.3.4
`6.3.4.1
`6.3.4.2
`6.3.4.3
`6.3.4.4
`6.3.4.5
`6.3.4.6
`6.3.4.7
`6.3.4.8
`6.3.4.9
`6.3.5
`6.3.6
`6.3.6.1
`6.3.6.2
`6.3.6.3
`6.4
`
`BOM Item Descriptions........................................................................................ 6-13
`Violation Messages ............................................................................................... 6-14
`Referencing and the Model User Interface............................................................... 6-14
`Model UI Scope and UI References.................................................................... 6-14
`UI Generation ........................................................................................................ 6-15
`Updating a Referenced UI ................................................................................... 6-15
`Publishing .............................................................................................................. 6-16
`Generating a New User Interface...................................................................................... 6-16
`Display Width Reserved for Navigation Frame ...................................................... 6-19
`Customizing the Generic User Interface.......................................................................... 6-20
`Customizing the User Interface Default Settings .................................................... 6-20
`Modifying Default UI Settings............................................................................ 6-21
`Customizing the Display of the Runtime Navigation Tree ................................... 6-24
`Customizing Screen Display Settings ....................................................................... 6-24
`Changing the Screen Display Settings ............................................................... 6-24
`Customizing Screen Design........................................................................................ 6-25
`Customizing a UI that Supports Multiple Languages..................................... 6-25
`Adding Graphics to a Screen............................................................................... 6-25
`Adding Text to a Screen....................................................................................... 6-27
`Adding Buttons to a Screen ................................................................................. 6-28
`Adding a Connections Listbox to a Screen........................................................ 6-29
`Sorting Feature Options ....................................................................................... 6-32
`Customizing Features, Totals, and Resources .................................................. 6-32
`Customizing a Connector UI Control ................................................................ 6-34
`Customizing a Choose Connection Button ....................................................... 6-36
`Hiding Objects in the Runtime User Interface......................................................... 6-37
`Assigning an Action to Text ....................................................................................... 6-38
`Assigning an Action to Feature Options ........................................................... 6-39
`Assigning an Action to a BOM Option Class.................................................... 6-39
`Assigning an Action to a BOM Standard Item ................................................. 6-40
` Previewing Screens with the UI Editor ........................................................................... 6-40
`
`7 Testing and Debugging
`7.1
`The Test/Debug Module...................................................................................................... 7-1
`7.1.1
`Testing your Model........................................................................................................ 7-2
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`7.1.2
`7.1.3
`7.1.4
`7.1.5
`7.2
`7.2.1
`
`Testing your Configuration Rules ............................................................................... 7-3
`Testing your User Interface........................................................................................... 7-3
`Configuring an Item in a Runtime Oracle Configurator .......................................... 7-3
`Viewing Changes to the Model in the Runtime User Interface............................... 7-4
`Configurator Developer Messages..............................................................................