Build JD Edwards-Connected Web Apps in Servoy

Servoy is a rapid application development and deployment platform. When paired with the CData JDBC Driver for JD Edwards, users can build JD Edwards-connected apps that work with live JD Edwards data. This article describes how to connect to JD Edwards from Servoy and build a simple web app to display and search JD Edwards data.

With built-in optimized data processing, the CData JDBC Driver offers unmatched performance for interacting with live JD Edwards data. When you issue complex SQL queries to JD Edwards, the driver pushes supported SQL operations, like filters and aggregations, directly to JD Edwards and utilizes the embedded SQL engine to process unsupported operations client-side (often SQL functions and JOIN operations). Its built-in dynamic metadata querying lets you work with JD Edwards data using native data types.

Connect to JD Edwards in Servoy Developer

To build JD Edwards-connected apps, you need to first create a data provider in Servoy Developer using the CData JDBC Driver for JD Edwards.

1. Install the JDBC Driver.
2. Copy the JDBC Driver JAR file. (cdata.jdbc.jdedwards.jar) to the /application_server/drivers/ directory in the installation directory for Servoy.
3. Open Servoy Developer.
4. In the Solution Explorer, right-click Database Server (under Resources) and choose "Connect to existing database" -> "empty."
   1. Name the server.
   2. Click to show the advanced server settings.

      • Set the URL, for example: jdbc:jdedwards:URL=https://your-jde-environment-app.example.com;User=admin;Password=myPassword;

        Built-In Connection String Designer

        For assistance in constructing the JDBC URL, use the connection string designer built into the JD Edwards JDBC Driver. Either double-click the JAR file or execute the jar file from the command-line.

        
        				java -jar cdata.jdbc.jdedwards.jar
        				

        Fill in the connection properties and copy the connection string to the clipboard.

        The driver connects to JD Edwards through your Application Interface Services (AIS) Server. Set the following connection properties:

        • URL: The base HTTPS URL of your AIS Server (e.g., https://jde-ais.example.com:8300).
        • User: Your JD Edwards username.
        • Password: Your JD Edwards password.
        • Environment (optional): The JD Edwards environment to use (e.g., PD920 for production or DV920 for development). If not specified, the AIS Server's default environment is used.
        • Role (optional): The JD Edwards role for the session. If not specified, the AIS Server's default role is used.
        • DeviceName (optional): An identifier for the connecting device or application, used for auditing and logging on the AIS Server.
        • Jasserver (optional): The specific Java Application Server (JAS) instance to route requests through, useful in clustered environments.

        Choosing Which Data Is Exposed

        JD Edwards organizes tables and business views by System Code, and the driver exposes each System Code as its own schema. Use these properties to control which schemas are available:

        • DataModel: One or more ERP modules (comma-separated) whose System Codes are exposed as schemas, or All to expose every System Code in the connected instance. Defaults to FinancialManagement.
        • SystemCodes: A comma-separated list of additional System Codes to expose alongside those from DataModel (e.g., 42,43).

        When you connect, the driver sends your credentials to the AIS Server to obtain a session token and caches it. The driver requests a new token automatically before the session expires.

        
      • Select the Driver class you just copied, for example, cdata.jdbc.jdedwards.JDEdwardsDriver
   

Build a JD Edwards-Connected Web App

Once you have configured the connection to JD Edwards in the Servoy Developer resources, you are ready to build apps with access to live JD Edwards data.

Create a New Solution

1. In the Server Explorer, right-click "All solutions" and select "Create new solution."
2. Name the solution.
3. Select the checkbox to include the "search" module.
4. Click "Finish."

Create a New Form

Right-click "Forms" and select "Create new form."

1. Name the form.
2. Select a Datasource.
3. Set the type (e.g., Simple) and click "Finish."

Add a Data Grid to the Form

1. Drag a Data Grid component (from Servoy NG-Grids) onto the form.

2. Drag a column component onto the Data Grid and set the "dataprovider" property for each column component to a column from the JD Edwards "table" (e.g., DocumentNumber from the AccountsPayable.AccountLedger table).

   Continue adding columns as desired.

Add Searching to the App

Note that the "svySearch" extension is required to add search functionality (included by default when you create a new solution). If you did not add the extension when you created the solution or you are modifying an existing solution, you can add the search module by right-clicking Modules (in the solution) and selecting "Add Module." Select "svySearch" and click "OK."

1. Drag a Text Field component onto the Form.
2. Right-click the Form and select "Open in Script Editor."
3. Create a new variable (JavaScript) to hold the search value:

   var searchText = '';
   

4. Back on the Form, in the Text Field properties:
   1. Set the "dataprovider" property to the Form variable you just created.
   2. Double-click to add a method for the onAction event.
   3. Click to create the method in "Form," name the method (e.g., onEnter), and click "Create private."
   4. Click "OK & Show."
5. Add the following JavaScript to the JavaScript file to use the Servoy framework to implement searching bound data based on the text in the Text Field:

   var search = scopes.svySearch.createSimpleSearch(foundset).setSearchText(searchText);
   search.setSearchAllColumns();
   search.loadRecords(foundset);
   

Save and Launch the App

Save the form and JavaScript file, then click Run -> Launch NGClient to start the web app.

Download a free, 30-day trial of the CData JDBC Driver for JD Edwards and start building JD Edwards-connected apps with Servoy. Reach out to our Support Team if you have any questions.