Senthilkumar Shanmugam

AK Dictionary is an active data dictionary that enables you to define inquiry applications for the web, and generate

many of the application's characteristics at runtime. The data dictionary stores key information

about your application, including appearance, language, security requirements, navigation, and data.

MSCA/MWA Framework uses AK Repository mainly for two purpose:

1) Defining Labels

2) Defining DFIs

1) Defining Labels:

When we create a new custom page using MSCA/MWA Framework, we use setPrompt() set the labels to the fields.

In order to support MLS(Multi Language Support), we need to define these

labels as Items in AK Repository and link into custom page.

2)DFI(Data Field Identifier):

DFI functionality in Oracle Mobile Applications (MSCA and WMS) allows identification of the type of data that is embedded within

a barcode when it is scanned by the mobile device. DFI usually consists of one to three characters that precede the

value of the data that is encoded in the barcode.

We will see each of them in detail now.

Steps to Create Labels in AK Repository:

Step 1: Define Attribute

Navigation: AK Developer ->Define Attributes

Create a record necessary information like Attribute ID,Attribute Name,Label etc

Step 2: Define a Controller

Before creating a region in AK Repository, we need to have a controller to associate to the AK Region.

Following is a sample controller class for an AK Region

package xxx.oracle.apps.inv.utilities;

import oracle.apps.fnd.common.VersionInfo;

public class CustomInvResourceTable

{

    public CustomInvResourceTable()

    {

    }

    public static final String RCS_ID = "$PkgHeader:$";

    public static final boolean RCS_ID_RECORDED =

          VersionInfo.recordClassVersion("$PkgHeader:$", "xxx.oracle.apps.inv.utilities");

    public static final String AK_CAR_SIGN = "XXWMS_CAR_SIGN";

    ..............

}

Step 3: Define a AK Region:

Navigation: AK Developer ->Define Regions

Create a record with Region Id, Region Name etc and associate the controller class which we created in the previous step.

Step 4: Link AK Regions and AK Attributes

Navigation: AK Developer ->Define Regions

Click on Region Items Button

Create new record and link the attribute(s) which we created previously. If you plan to use the field as DFI,

you have to define the DFI attributes in "Default Varchar2 Value" Column. For example, a value like 

"DFI=Q REQ=N" means that when a barcode is scanned on that field using the hand held mobile device, 

Q will be stripped from the barcode and the remaining value will be stored in the field.

In this case, The Barcode should have the value like "Q123456".

How do I retrieve the label in the Custom page?

You can set the label to the field by using APIs to retrieve from AK Repository. See Below for a sample Code

mPONum.setPrompt(MWALib.getAKPrompt(ses, "xxx.oracle.apps.inv.utilities.CustomInvResourceTable", "XXWMS_PO_NUM"));

mPONum.retrieveAttributes("XXWMS_PO_NUM");

Where,

XXWMS_PO_NUM is an attribute defined in AK repository.

mPONum is field bean in Custom Mobile Page.

How do I move the AK repository contents from one instance to another?

The AKLOAD program is used for uploading and downloading the contents.

Detailed syntax can be found in the following URL:http://download-uk.oracle.com/docs/cd/A60725_05/html/comnls/us/ak/akload.htm

Example:

Download:

Region:

java oracle.apps.ak.akload apps apps THIN "(DESCRIPTION=(ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=tcp)(HOST=1.1.1.1)(PORT=1527))(CONNECT_DATA=(SID=DEV)))"

DOWNLOAD XXWMS_MOBILE_RN.jlt GET REGION INV XXINVRESOURCETABLE

Attribute:

java oracle.apps.ak.akload apps apps THIN "(DESCRIPTION=(ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=tcp)(HOST=1.1.1.1)(PORT=1527))(CONNECT_DATA=(SID=DEV)))"

DOWNLOAD XXWMS_MOBILE_ATTR.jlt GET ATTRIBUTE INV XXWMS%

Upload:

java oracle.apps.ak.akload apps apps THIN "(DESCRIPTION=(ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=tcp)(HOST=1.1.1.1)(PORT=1527))(CONNECT_DATA=(SID=DEV)))"

UPLOAD XXWMS_MOBILE_RN.jlt UPDATE American_America.AL32UTF8

My customer asks me to change the prompt on Std Mobile Screens. How Can I do it?

Case 1: Say suppose, the Customer wants to change prompt "Lot Qty" to "Qty" in all the mobile pages:

To change the prompts follow the steps below:

Goto the AK Developer Responsibility

Goto Define region.

Region ID = INVRESOURCETABLE.

Click on Region items.

Search for your prompt.

In this case it is INV_LOT_QUANTITY_PROMPT.

Modify the Long description.

Save.

Restart the listener.

Case 2: Say suppose, the Customer wants to change prompt "Lot Qty" to "Qty" only in a specific page.

Option 1: WMS Personalization

If your client is on release 11.5.10 or R12.1, you can use Oracle WMS Personalization Framework. See metalink note 469339.1 for more details

Option 2: MWA Extension

You can extend the standard Page and change the prompt. Sample code is as below:

public class XXItemOnhandQueryPage extends ItemOnhandQueryPage {

    public XXItemOnhandQueryPage(Session s) {

        super(s);

                  }

    public void pageEntered(MWAEvent e) throws AbortHandlerException,

                                                      InterruptedHandlerException,

                                                      DefaultOnlyHandlerException

           {

             super.pageEntered(e);

             getItemDescrField.setPrompt("Senthil Desc");

            //this has to be defined in AK  repository if you need MLS

           }

}

Further References:

More about AK Repository : http://download-uk.oracle.com/docs/cd/A60725_05/html/comnls/us/ak/aktop.htm

More about DFIs and Barcode Scanning : Metalink note 297992.1

Please note that this is purely based on my experience. Feel free to comment any suggestions on this article.

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