FList: Enhancing Business Billing Management

In Billing and Revenue Management (BRM), FList is one of the most effective methods for managing essential business operations. It is a well-organized framework for discovering, classifying, and aligning business requirements with strategic objectives. With the help of FList, businesses can improve communication and ensure that every project meets its value proposition. Mastering its mechanism can bring new opportunities for efficiency and growth.

This blog post will examine the structure and essential functions of the FList in BRM that can enhance business connections. Additionally, you will know how to handle errors and build and maintain data in flists. Whether you are new to BRM or want to improve your strategy, this post will have something valuable for you.

What is FList in BRM, and How Does It Work?

The Field List (FList) is the fundamental and primary data structure in Oracle’s Business Billing and Revenue Management (BRM) system that stores and moves sets of fields. A FList field comprises a field name (identifier) and a value. FLists enable database storable items and BRM processes to exchange data as container-like structures comprising fields containing a name/value pair. Additionally, they can accommodate any kind of data, like strings, integers, arrays, and nested substructures, allowing you to manage complex data.

However, FLists do not contain data; instead, they provide links to locations where data is present, which allows more efficient data management and communication in the BRM.

Example of a FList:

Here, you can see a simplified example containing information about customers:

1. 0 PIN_FLD_LAST_NAME       STR [0] “Sam”
2. 0 PIN_FLD_FIRST_NAME      STR [0] “Johny”
3. 0 PIN_FLD_COMPANY         STR [0] “XYZ Corporation”

In this example:

• The number at the beginning of every line indicates the nesting level, with 0 being the highest.
• PIN_FLD_LAST_NAME, PIN_FLD_FIRST_NAME, and PIN_FLD_COMPANY are field names.
• STR means the field type is a string.
• [0] is the element ID used when fields are array-based.
• The actual data for each field is “Sam,” “Johny,” and “XYZ Corporation.

Supported Data Types in FLists

BRM can support different types of data. These include:

• PIN_FLDT_INT (INT): Represents signed 32-bit integers.
• PIN_FLDT_ENUM (ENUM): Used for enumerated values.
• PIN_FLDT_DECIMAL (DECIMAL): Handles accurate decimal numerals.
• PIN_FLDT_STR (STR): ASCII character strings with UTF-8 encoding.
• PIN_FLDT_BINSTR (BINSTR): Binary data indicated as a string of bytes.
• PIN_FLDT_TSTAMP (TSTAMP): Represent timestamp data type
• PIN_FLDT_POID (POID): Identifies unique storable objects.
• PIN_FLDT_ARRAY (ARRAY): Used to define collections of related data elements.
• PIN_FLDT_SUBSTRUCT (SUBSTRUCT): Nesting data through embedded substructures.
• PIN_FLDT_BUF (BUF): Buffers for large or arbitrary data.

Key Roles of FLists in BRM

FLists perform several essential functions in BRM, such as:

1. Data Exchange: They transfer data from one process to BRM processes. For instance, the Data Manager (DM) transmits database information as a flist, guaranteeing that data will be transmitted to the Connection Manager (CM) from this interface in devices reliably and consistently. Consequently, this ensures a uniform interpretation of data throughout the system.
2. Storable Object Representation: The storable objects in BRM representing entities like accounts or services are passed on as flists. As a result, the system can handle and operate the data in a structured way.
3. Search Operations: The search parameters and outcome requirements of the BRM database queries are set by the flists. Because of this arrangement, BRM can efficiently search for data using queries that allow for setting search criteria.
4. Data Type Support: Multiple data types are supported, including integers, strings, decimals, buffers, arrays, and substructures. This flexibility allows the BRM modeling of complex data structures.
5. Hierarchical Structuring: The nesting features allow data to be organized hierarchically by enabling them to be deployed into other flists. Therefore, it is beneficial for BRM to simulate complex linkages and systems.

How to Create a FList?

To create an FList in BRM, you must utilize the manipulation macros from the Portal Information Network (PIN) package. Additionally, macros can add, remove, or alter fields within an FList. Here are the basic steps that should be followed in its generation. 

• Initialize the FList: An empty structure is created using a suitable macro.
• Add Fields: This is where field-handling macros add the necessary fields to your FList. Each field must have a particular data type and value.
• Populate Field Values: Then, assign values for each field datatype according to what must be processed or transferred. 
• Finalize it: Once all necessary fields have been added and filled in, they are prepared for usage.

Remember, always maintain the above structures whenever you generate an input FList for an opcode. For example, ensure identification of required fields, assign the correct data types – integer, string, etc. – and provide accurate values. This way, the opcode can get what it needs in the proper format to carry on its execution. 

Understanding FList Specifications

1. Opcode Input FList Specifications:

The input FList holds the required data fields that an opcode needs to operate. Each field in this input has the following attributes:

• Field Name: An identifier for a particular data element. 
• Data Type: For what kind of data it is (integer, string, array, and so on). 
• Permissions: Whether the Field needs mandatory (M) or optional (O) to run the opcode. 

For example, while creating an object using the opcode PCM_OP_CREATE_OBJ, the input passed must consist of all Mandatory fields that define the object. Consequently, these specifications ensure that the opcode receives all the necessary information to accomplish its work effectively.

2. Opcode Output FList Specifications:

After processing, an opcode takes input and returns an output FList containing the results of what it did. This output includes:

• Field Name:  The name of the returned data item.
• Data Type: The type of data being returned.
• Permissions: Indicates whether the field is always present (mandatory) or conditionally included (optional) based on the outcome of the operation.

For example, let’s say you call PCM_OP_SEARCH opcode with search criteria. The output result will contain the output of all records matching the search criteria. Also, the structure of these results matches the opcodes output format requirements.

Managing Data in Flists

1. Adding Information to Flists

To add data to a flist, BRM provides specific macros:

• Replacing Pointers to Data: These macros replace pointers within the flist:
  • PIN_FLIST_ELEM_PUT
  • PIN_FLIST_FLD_PUT
  • PIN_FLIST_SUBSTR_PUT
• Replacing the Data Itself: These macros replace the actual data within the flist:
  • PIN_FLIST_ELEM_SET
  • PIN_FLIST_FLD_SET
  • PIN_FLIST_SUBSTR_SET

Consequently, these macros enable the insertion of new data or the modification of existing data in a structured manner.

2. Removing Data (Pointers) from a Flist

To remove a pointer to data and direct it to somewhere else, the following macros can be applied:

• PIN_FLIST_ELEM_TAKE
• PIN_FLIST_FLD_TAKE
• PIN_FLIST_SUBSTR_TAKE

However, it’s crucial to remember that these macros remove existing data pointers rather than the actual data. Thus, to release memory occupied by old data, use PIN_FLIST_DESTROY_EX to destroy the place; otherwise, memory leakage can occur. In addition, if you delete a pointer to data using a TAKE macro, you should release memory upon usage; otherwise, it will leak.

3. Copying Data from a Flist

To copy a pointer to data from one flist to another, the following macros are used:

• PIN_FLIST_ELEM_GET
• PIN_FLIST_FLD_GET
• PIN_FLIST_SUBSTR_GET

These macros are typically used when you want to copy data without modifying it. However, treating any data retrieved using these macros as read-only is advisable because the original program may also need this data. 

4. Destroying Flists

Flists use dynamic memory, so the system must destroy them to free that memory and prevent memory leaks. The format BRM has provided specific macros to eliminate and free its memory. 

• PIN_FLIST_DESTROY
• PIN_FLIST_DESTROY_EX

First, these macros determine whether the list contains a NULL value. If so, nothing is done. However, if the list is present, these macros remove every field and its contents. Notably, PIN_FLIST_DESTROY_EX deletes the list and assigns a NULL reference, whereas PIN_FLIST_DESTROY releases the memory of the field-value pairs but does not NULL out the reference. Thus, if another application attempts to destroy this list (which has freed memory) using a legitimate pointer, it could result in core dumps and other unexpected behavior.

Creation Samples of FList

Oracle Communications BRM Software Development Kit (SDK) includes sample programs to help developers create and work with flists. Additionally, it supports several languages, including Java, Perl, C, and C++. Moreover, these sample programs illustrate several aspects of managing flists. These samples cover three main areas:

• Simple FLists Creation: This exposes the basic structure and flist creation.
• Nested Array FLists: Exemplifies working with hierarchical data in flists.
• Substructure FLists: This shows how to create flists with embedded substructures.

You can find the above sample programs in the source/samples/flists directory of the BRM SDK installation. Moreover, refer to the BRM Developer’s Reference for thorough instructions on compiling and running these samples, which includes the following sections:

• About Using the PCM C Sample Programs
• About Using the PCM C++ Sample Programs
• About Using the PCM Java Sample Programs
• About Using the PCM Perl Sample Programs

Proper Memory Management of Flist Fields

1. Macros That Allocate New Memory Before Adding

When these macros transfer the supplied data into the flist, they create a new memory for the copied data. Consequently, the flist acquires ownership of this newly allocated memory. Therefore, you should not manually release this memory after using these macros:

• PIN_FLIST_CONCAT
• PIN_FLIST_ELEM_ADD
• PIN_POID_LIST_ADD_POID
• PIN_FLIST_ELEM_COPY
• PIN_FLIST_FLD_COPY
• PIN_FLIST_SUBSTR_ADD
• PIN_FLIST_ELEM_SET
• PIN_FLIST_FLD_SET
• PIN_FLIST_SUBSTR_SET

2. Macros That Do Not Allocate New Memory Before Adding

These macros add data without allocating new memory by giving the flist ownership of the current memory. Therefore, you should not release the original memory after using these macros because the flist now handles it.

• PIN_FLIST_FLD_PUT
• PIN_FLIST_SUBSTR_PUT
• PIN_FLIST_ELEM_PUT

3. Macros That Transfer Memory Ownership to the Caller

These macros give the caller control of the memory by removing data. Therefore, after using these macros, you are responsible for releasing the memory to prevent leaks.

• PIN_FLIST_FLD_TAKE
• PIN_FLIST_SUBSTR_TAKE
• PIN_FLIST_ELEM_TAKE
• PIN_FLIST_ELEM_TAKE_NEXT
• PIN_POID_LIST_TAKE_NEXT_POID
• PIN_POID_LIST_REMOVE_POID

4. Macros That Do Not Allocate New Memory When Retrieving

These macros retrieve data without allocating new memory. Moreover, it retains ownership of the memory, so you should not free or modify the retrieved data:

• PIN_FLIST_ELEM_DROP
• PIN_FLIST_FLD_DROP
• PIN_FLIST_SUBSTR_DROP
• PIN_FLIST_ANY_GET_NEXT
• PIN_FLIST_FLD_GET
• PIN_FLIST_ELEM_GET
• PIN_FLIST_ELEM_GET_NEXT
• PIN_FLIST_SUBSTR_GET

5. Macros That Move Fields

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

Flist Management Rules

When working with flists in Oracle’s Billing and Revenue Management (BRM), follow these guidelines:

1. The caller application must allocate memory for input FLists, even when using a wrapper opcode to execute another opcode.
2. The opcode allocates memory for output FLists.
3. The calling application should destroy input and output FLists after use.
4. Every opcode using a wrapper to call another opcode must destroy both input and output FLists.
5. The caller application might require input flists. Thus, it shouldn’t destroy them unless an opcode has been created explicitly.
6. The macros PIN_FLIST_CREATE and PIN_FLIST_COPY allocate new chunks of memory. Therefore, always free that memory unless it is an output FList.
7. 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.

Error Handling in FList

BRM uses the error buffer (pin_errbuf_t) to report errors during operations. This buffer records essential details such as error location, type, and field information. Therefore, the developers must check the buffer after every operation to ensure the error is handled correctly. 

Furthermore, BRM provides various macros for logging and system monitoring, such as:

• PIN_ERR_LOG_FLIST: For logging FList contents;
• PIN_ERR_LOG_MSG: For logging user-defined messages;
• PIN_ERR_LOG_POID: For logging POID details.

Conclusion

In conclusion, FList is essential to improving communication and balancing business goals and IT services within BRM. An organized approach to relationship management promotes improved teamwork, customer service, and comprehension of business requirements. Consequently, this framework helps businesses automate processes, decrease conflicts, and cultivate more robust business-IT partnerships.

In addition, applying FList within BRM fosters efficiency and strategic alignment, spearheading business value. As firms develop, their use can contribute to better decision-making, efficient resource utilization, and higher customer satisfaction. Finally, adopting this methodology is crucial for ensuring competitiveness and developing long-term business success.

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