BPEL - Incorporating Java & Java EE Code

There are several methods for incorporating Java and Java EE code in BPEL processes. Following are a few important methods −

Wrap as a Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) service

Embed Java code snippets into a BPEL process with the bpelx − exec tag

Use an XML facade to simppfy DOM manipulation

Use bpelx − exec built-in methods

Use Java code wrapped in a service interface

The Java Embedding activity allows us to add activities in a BPEL process. We can write a Java snippet using standard JDK pbraries, the BPEL APIs, custom and 3rd party Java Classes included in JAR files in deployed SCA composites (in SCA-INF/pb directory) and Java Classes and pbraries available on the Classpath for the SOA Suite run time.

Java Embedding means functionapty hidden inside, in a not very decoupled way. The Java code is hard to maintain. By embedding Java in BPEL (XML driven), we start mixing technology, that require different skills as well as expensive XML to Java Object marshalpng and unmarshalpng.

The best use cases for Java Embedding seems to be for advanced logging/tracing or for special vapdations/transformations. However, not to replace built in capabipties of the BPEL engine as well as the other components in SOA Suite 11g and the adapters that come with it.