BUSINESS
FList: Improving the Management of Business Billing
One of the best ways to manage crucial company processes in billing and revenue management (BRM) is to use FList. It is a methodical framework for identifying, categorizing, and coordinating strategic goals with business requirements. Businesses can enhance communication and make sure every project fulfils its value proposition with FList’s assistance. Gaining an understanding of its mechanism may open up new avenues for productivity and expansion.
The structure and key features of the FList in BRM that can improve business relationships will be discussed in this blog article. You will also understand how to construct and manage data in flists and deal with problems. You will find something useful in this post whether you are new to BRM or wish to enhance your approach.
How Does BRM’s FList Function and What Is It?
The core and main data structure for storing and transferring collections of fields in Oracle’s Business Billing and Revenue Management (BRM) system is the Field List (FList). A value and a field name (identifier) make up a FList field. Database storable items and BRM processes can share data as container-like structures made up of fields with a name/value pair thanks to FLists. You can handle complicated data since they can also handle any type of data, including texts, numbers, arrays, and hierarchical substructures.
FLists, on the other hand, offer connections to places where data is present rather than actual data, enabling more effective data management and communication inside the BRM.
An illustration of a FList
Here is a condensed example that includes client information:
0 STR [0] “Sam” PIN_FLD_LAST_NAME
0 PIN_FLD_FIRST_NAME “Johny” STR [0]
0 PIN_FLD_COMPANY<“XYZ Corporation” STR [0]
In this instance:
The nesting level is indicated by the number at the start of each line, where 0 is the highest.
The field names are PIN_FLD_COMPANY, PIN_FLD_FIRST_NAME, and PIN_FLD_LAST_NAME.
STR indicates that a string is the field type.
When fields are array-based, the element ID that is utilized is [0].
For each field, the real data is “Sam,” “Johny,” and “XYZ Corporation.”
Data Types Supported by FLists
BRM is capable of handling many kinds of data. These consist of:
Signed 32-bit integers are represented by PIN_FLDT_INT (INT).
PIN_FLDT_ENUM (ENUM): For values that have been enumerated.
Accurate decimal numbers are handled by PIN_FLDT_DECIMAL (DECIMAL).
PIN_FLDT_STR (STR): UTF-8 encoded ASCII character strings.
PIN_FLDT_BINSTR (BINSTR): A string of bytes representing binary data.
The timestamp data type is represented by PIN_FLDT_TSTAMP (TSTAMP).
PIN_FLDT_POID (POID): Identifies distinct items that can be stored.
Groups of similar data pieces are defined using PIN_FLDT_ARRAY (ARRAY).
PIN_FLDT_SUBSTRUCT (SUBSTRUCT): Using embedded substructures to nest data.
PIN_FLDT_BUF (BUF): Random or big data buffers.
FLists’ Crucial Functions in BRM
FLists carry out a number of crucial tasks in BRM, including:
Data Exchange: They move information between BRM processes. To ensure that data is properly and consistently transferred to the Connection Manager (CM) from this interface in devices, for example, the Data Manager (DM) transfers database information as a flist. As a result, this guarantees consistent data interpretation across the system.
Storable Object Representation: In BRM, flists are used to pass on storable objects that represent things such as accounts or services. Consequently, the system is able to manage and process the data in an organised manner.
Search Operations: The flists determine the search criteria and result needs of the BRM database queries. This setup enables BRM to effectively search for data with queries that let you provide search parameters.
Data Type Support: A variety of data types, such as integers, strings, decimals, buffers, arrays, and substructures, are supported. Complex data structures may be modelled using BRM thanks to this versatility.
Hierarchical Structuring: By allowing data to be deployed into other flists, the nesting characteristics facilitate hierarchical data organisation. Thus, simulating intricate links and systems is advantageous for BRM.
How Can a FList Be Made?
You need to use the manipulation macros from the Portal Information Network (PIN) package in order to establish a FList in BRM. Furthermore, fields inside a FList can be added, removed, or altered using macros. These are the fundamental procedures that must be performed in order to generate it.
Initialize the FList: An appropriate macro is used to establish an empty structure.
Add Fields: Field-handling macros are used here to add the required fields to your FList. Every field has to have a specific value and data type.
Fill in Field Values: Next, give each field datatype a value based on what needs to be sent or processed.
Complete it: They are ready for use after all required fields have been included and completed.
Always keep in mind the aforementioned structures while creating an input FList for an opcode. For instance, make sure that the necessary fields are identified, assign the appropriate data types (string, integer, etc.), and supply accurate values. In this manner, the opcode may obtain the necessary information in the correct format to continue running.
Comprehending FList Specifications
1. Specifications of the Opcode Input FList:
The necessary data fields for an opcode to function are stored in the input FList. The following characteristics apply to each field in this input:
Field Name: A specific data element’s identification.
Data kind: Indicates the kind of data (integer, string, array, etc.).
Permissions: Whether the field requires optional (O) or required (M) permissions in order to execute the opcode.
For instance, all required fields that define the object must be included in the input supplied when constructing an object with the opcode PCM_OP_CREATE_OBJ. As a result, these standards guarantee that the opcode gets all the information it needs to do its job efficiently.
2. Specifications of the Opcode Output FList:
Following processing, an opcode receives input and outputs a FList with the outcomes of its actions. This output consists of:
Field Name: The name of the data item that was returned.
Data Type: The kind of information that is being given back.
Permissions: Depending on the operation’s result, this field indicates whether it is always present (required) or conditionally included (optional).
Let’s take an example where you call the PCM_OP_SEARCH opcode with search parameters. All records that meet the search parameters will be included in the output result. Additionally, these results’ structure complies with the output format specifications of the opcodes.
Organising Information in Flists
1. Including Details in Flists
Certain macros are provided by BRM to add data to a flist:
Pointers in the flist are replaced by these macros when it comes to data:
PIN_FLIST_ELEM_PUT
PIN_FLIST_FLD_PUT
PIN_SUBSTR_PUT_FLIST
Replacing the Data: The actual data in the flist is changed by these macros:
PIN_FLIST_ELEM_SET
PIN_FLIST_FLD_SET
PIN_SUBSTR_SET_FLIST
As a result, these macros make it possible to add new data or modify current data in an organised way.
2. Taking Information (Pointers) Out of a Flist
These macros can be used to delete a reference to data and reroute it to a different location:
PIN_FLIST_ELEM_TAKE
PIN_FLIST_FLD_TAKE
FLIST_SUBSTR_TAKE PIN
It’s important to keep in mind, too, that these macros eliminate existing data references rather than the data itself. Therefore, use PIN_FLIST_DESTROY_EX to delete the location in order to free memory that is held by outdated data; otherwise, memory leakage may occur. Additionally, you should release memory upon usage if you use a TAKE macro to erase a reference to data; otherwise, it will leak.
3. Data Copying from a Flist
The following macros are used to transfer a data pointer from one flist to another:
PIN_FLIST_ELEM_GET
PIN_FLIST_FLD_GET
PIN_SUBSTR_GET_FLIST
When you wish to copy data without changing anything, you usually use these macros. However, as the originating application could also require the data, it is best to consider any data received via these macros as read-only.
4. Eliminating Flists
The system must eliminate flists in order to free up dynamic memory and stop memory leaks. Particular macros have been supplied by the BRM format to remove and release its memory.
PIN_FLIST_DESTROY
PIN_DESTROY_EX_FLIST
These macros first check to see whether there is a NULL value in the list. If so, no action is taken. These macros, however, eliminate each field and its contents if the list is present. Interestingly, PIN_FLIST_DESTROY_EX assigns a NULL reference and deletes the list, but PIN_FLIST_DESTROY releases the field-value pairs’ memory without NULLing out the reference. Therefore, core dumps and other unusual behaviour may occur if another program tries to destruct this list (which has freed memory) using a valid pointer.
FList Creation Samples
To assist developers in creating and working with flists, the Oracle Communications BRM Software Development Kit (SDK) comes with example applications. It also supports a number of languages, such as C, Java, Perl, and C++. Additionally, these sample programs demonstrate many facets of flist management. Three primary topics are covered by these samples:
Basic FLists Creation: This reveals the fundamental framework for flist construction.
Working with hierarchical data in flists is exemplified by Nested Array FLists.
Creating flists with embedded substructures is demonstrated in Substructure FLists.
The aforementioned example programs are located in the BRM SDK installation’s source/samples/flists directory. Additionally, for comprehensive guidance on assembling and executing these examples, consult the BRM Developer’s Reference, which comprises the subsequent sections:
Concerning the Use of the PCM C Sample Programs
Concerning the Use of the PCM C++ Example Programs
Concerning the Use of the PCM Java Sample Applications
About Using the Sample Programs for PCM Perl
Flist Field Memory Management Done Right
1. Before adding, macros that allocate new memory
These macros establish a new memory for the copied data when they move the given data into the flist. As a result, this freshly allocated memory becomes owned by the flist. Consequently, after using these macros, you shouldn’t manually release this memory:
PIN_FLIST_CONCAT
PIN_FLIST_ELEM_ADD
List_Add_POID_PIN_POID
PIN_FLIST_ELEM_COPY
PIN_FLIST_FLD_COPY
FLIST_SUBSTR_ADD PIN
PIN_FLIST_ELEM_SET
PIN_FLIST_FLD_SET
PIN_SUBSTR_SET_FLIST
2. Computer Programs That Don’t Use Up New Memory Before Adding
By granting the flist ownership of the existing memory, these macros allow data to be added without requiring the allocation of new memory. Because the flist now manages the original memory, you should not release it after using these macros.
PIN_FLIST_FLD_PUT
PIN_SUBSTR_PUT_FLIST
PIN_FLIST_ELEM_PUT
3. Macros That Give the Caller Ownership of Memory
By deleting data, these macros grant the caller control over the memory. As a result, in order to stop leaks, you must release the memory after using these macros.
PIN_FLIST_FLD_TAKE
FLIST_SUBSTR_TAKE PIN
PIN_FLIST_ELEM_TAKE
Take Next (PIN_FLIST_ELEM)
TAKE_NEXT_POID_PIN_POID_LIST_
List of PIN_POID_REMOVE_POID
4. When retrieving, macros that don’t allocate new memory
These macros don’t use up new memory to retrieve data. Furthermore, you shouldn’t release or alter the recovered data because it still owns the memory:
PIN_FLIST_ELEM_DROP
PIN_FLIST_FLD_DROP
FLIST_SUBSTR_DROP PIN
FLIST_ANY_GET_NEXT PIN
PIN_FLIST_FLD_GET
PIN_FLIST_ELEM_GET
GET_NEXT_PIN_FLIST_ELEM
PIN_SUBSTR_GET_FLIST
5. Field-Moving Macros
These macros allow one flist list to transfer memory ownership of a field to another. Consequently, the destination owns the memory after these macros are used.
PIN_FLIST_FLD_MOVE
PIN_FLIST_ELEM_MOVE
Rules for Flist Management
When working with flists in Oracle’s Billing and Revenue Management (BRM), observe these guidelines:
The caller application must allocate memory for input FLists, even when employing a wrapper opcode to execute another opcode.
The opcode allocates memory for output FLists.
The caller program should remove input and output FLists after usage.
Every opcode employing a wrapper to invoke another opcode must delete both input and output FLists.
The caller program can demand input flists. Thus, it shouldn’t destroy them until an opcode has been generated expressly.
The macros PIN_FLIST_CREATE and PIN_FLIST_COPY allocate new pieces of memory. Therefore, always release that memory unless it is an output FList.
The memory allocation for each type of connection is different. However, mismanaged memory is likely to work under a Portal Communications Protocol (PCP) connection but causes other internal errors.
Managing Errors in FList
BRM uses the error buffer (pin_errbuf_t) to report errors during operations. This buffer captures critical facts such as error location, kind, and field information. To make sure the issue is handled appropriately, the developers must so inspect the buffer following each action.
Additionally, BRM offers a number of macros for system monitoring and logging, including:
PIN_ERR_LOG_FLIST: To log the contents of a FList;
PIN_ERR_LOG_MSG: For recording messages that are defined by the user;
PIN_ERR_LOG_POID: Used to log POID information.
In conclusion
To sum up, FList is critical to enhancing communication and striking a balance between IT services and business objectives inside BRM. Better cooperation, customer service, and understanding of company requirements are all facilitated by an organised approach to relationship management. As a result, this paradigm facilitates process automation, reduces conflict, and strengthens business-IT relationships.
Furthermore, integrating FList into BRM promotes effectiveness and strategic coherence, driving company value. As businesses grow, using them may help them make better decisions, manage resources more effectively, and satisfy customers. Lastly, using this approach is essential to maintaining competitiveness and creating long-term company success.
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FAQs
What is a FList in BRM?
In BRM, a field list is the fundamental data structure for processing and transmitting data inside the system. Its fields, each with a name and value, allow for effective data processing and communication across different BRM components.
Is it possible to customise FLists?
Yes, you may alter them to suit certain business needs by constructing storable classes and custom fields. BRM can handle more data types and structures than the default setups thanks to this customisation.
Are flists really used to store data?
No, real data is not stored in flists. Rather, they serve as an organised framework for data reference and transfer amongst BRM procedures.
Which kinds of data may be stored in flists?
Numerous data types, including as integers, texts, decimals, buffers, arrays, and substructures, are supported by FLists in BRM. Complex data structures may be efficiently represented by the system because to this flexibility.
Does the FList size have a limit?
System memory and speed are the primary constraints on the FList size in Oracle BRM. Some fields have restrictions (e.g., 4000 bytes), such as PIN_FLD_INVOICE_DATA.
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