PilotFish Best Practices

• General

  • Understanding How PilotFish Software Works
  • Use the eiDashboard
  • Use the eiPlatform Emulator Within eiConsole
  • Always open the eiConsole at the root of your working directory
  • Understand How External Jars Are Loaded
  • Use Java VM Settings for eiPlatform to Increase Heap Size
  • Use Java VisualVM For Performance Tuning
  • Cleaning Up Working Directory Temporary Files
  • Use Security Mechanisms
  • Version And Backup Your Changes
  • Use Well-known Standards When Possible
  • Have an Upgrade Plan!

• Interface Design

  • Use Architectural References
  • Plan Your Interfaces Before Implementing
  • Use Global Transaction Monitors For Larger Interfaces
  • Use Interface Packages
  • Pay Attention to Naming Convention
  • Understand Types of Transactions You Will Be Processing
  • Externalize Environment Properties Early On
  • Use Consistent Route Structure
  • Use Error Routes
  • Use Route Descriptions
  • You Can Rename Routes/Listeners/Interfaces – But Be Very Careful
  • Use System Info Fields
  • Use Routing Rules
  • Use Forking but not Joining
  • Use Process Orchestration for Forking With Joining – But Use Caution
  • Configuring PilotFish Interfaces – Do’s & Don’ts
  • Handle Transport Results In Another Route
  • Use the Disable Route Feature

• Data Mapping

  • Don’t Have to Restart eiPlatform When Only Making XSLT Transformation Changes
  • Use & Understand Transaction Data (Trans Data)
  • Re-use XSLT Transformations When Possible
  • Use Data Mapper’s Testing Tab
  • Use Transaction Attribute (Trans Attrs)
  • Use Data Validation
  • Use Transformation Modules
  • Use Drag & Drop In the Data Mapper
  • Data Mapper Tips
  • Use XSLT and Practice It
  • Use the Data Mapper’s Format Builders
  • Use OGNL, Learn It & Practice It
  • Restrict Meta To Increase Performance With Database SQL Transport
  • Consider Local-name() Notation For XPath
  • Use OGNL To Access SQLXML Results Inline In XSLT

• Transport Layer Design

  • Understand Synchronous Responses
  • Understand Differences Between FTP, FTPS, And SFTP & Nuances Of Each
  • Use “Null Listener” For Triggers Based On Interval
  • Use Auth for Http Listener (Web Service)
  • Use Thread Pools
  • Use Message Queues
  • Use Reverse Proxy to Expose PilotFish Web Services to the Public Internet

• Debugging and Logging

  • Understand How The Logs Work
  • Use Log Tailing To Monitor Logs While Testing
  • Understand Logging Levels And Use Them While Testing Or Troubleshooting
  • Use Debug Tracing (Only Temporarily)
  • Use the Debug mode
  • Use SQLXML Logging
  • Use Test Suite Software to Keep Known Working and Not Working Messages for Quick Smoke Testing & Load Testing