BizTalk Mapper Vs Custom XSLT

Technorati Tags: BizTalk Mapper,Custom XSLT

When to use what?

In the past couple of weeks,  I have learnt a great deal on when to use the BizTalk mapper Vs custom XSLT mapping.
Although, my conclusion might be debatable but I consider them to be a good guideline for future mapping exercises.

 

Use custom XSLT if:

1. The mapping contains a large number of items/records in the source schema which loop and/or repeat into a single destination element/record.  In such a case, you would have very little control over the XSL auto generated by BizTalk mapper.
2. The map is very complex and requires you to have more than ten logical pages to have a clear view of what is going on.  In this case, maintaining the complex BizTalk map would far outweigh the benefits of rapidly creating the map in a visual interface.
3. You start using an insane number of scripting functoids to do value mappings/enumerations.  These will be opaque to a developer who opens up the map for maintenance later on.

 

Use the Biztalk mapper if:

1. The map is small and simple and you are able to understand the auto-generated XSL
2. The resultant map is visually easy to grasp/decipher for the maintenance developer.

Cheers
Hemil.

~ by Hemil on March 30, 2009.