1 2 Previous Next 24 Replies Latest reply on Aug 21, 2008 12:57 AM by David Ward

Scripting Language ESB Action

Burr Sutter Feb 18, 2007 1:33 PM

Purpose: To discuss the design of possible scripting language support in the JBoss ESB (post 4.0 GA)
Groovy scripts can already be used inside of the transformation engine. quickstarts\transform_EDI2XML_Groovy_XSLT illustrates this capability.

Here are the primary questions to be answered when designing a scripting language ESB action:
A- Which scripting languages should be supported? Limit it to Groovy or more?
B- Support for Java 5 and Java 6? Java 6 using JSR 223 introduces the javax.scripting package which allows for plug & play with various scripting engines: https://scripting.dev.java.net/
If Java 5 is a requirement then perhaps we leverage the capabilities of http://jakarta.apache.org/bsf/
C- What should the jbossesb.xml look like (here is an example to start the discussions):

<action class="org.jboss.soa.esb.actions.ScriptingAction" name="ScriptingAction">
 <property name="scriptEngine" value="MyScriptingEngine"/>
 <property name="scriptName" value="MyGroovyScript.groovy"/>
</action>

D- How should the scripting language interact with

org.jboss.soa.esb.message.Message

E- What documentation/samples need to be included? At a minimum, a quickstart that illustrates the use of scripting. It should also be "hot redeployable" much like the Rules-based ContentBasedRouting (illustrated by quickstarts\fun_cbr)
F- Any volunteers who wish to pursue this item? If you download the SRC for JBoss ESB you can review:
trunk\product\core\listeners\src\org\jboss\soa\esb\actions
for examples on how to build an "internal" action that would be part of the JBoss ESB download.

1. Re: Scripting Language ESB Action

Tom Fennelly Feb 19, 2007 5:05 AM (in response to Burr Sutter)

Choosing a Java scripting language.
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2. Re: Scripting Language ESB Action

Mark Little Feb 19, 2007 5:18 AM (in response to Burr Sutter)

Burr, can you list what scripting languages are used in other JEMS projects?
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3. Re: Scripting Language ESB Action

Tom Fennelly Feb 19, 2007 5:33 AM (in response to Burr Sutter)
In terms of what we use under the hood, I think we'd obviously like to hide that re what people see in the action configs. So internally, we could support scripting languages X, Y and Z via JSR-223 if they are JSR-223 compliant. For non compliant scripting engines, we'd need to support those by hand.

In terms of usage, we could infer the engine from the script extension (.groovy, .php etc), only using the "scriptEngine" property as an override.

Could also make action scripts more of a first class construct ala:

<action script="MyGroovyScript.groovy" name="My Blah" />

(note the action defines a "script" instead of a "class").
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4. Re: Scripting Language ESB Action

Mark Little Feb 19, 2007 5:42 AM (in response to Burr Sutter)

Saying we support something means more than just saying it is so ;-) I want to know what other scripting languages JEMS projects say they support so we can sync-up.
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5. Re: Scripting Language ESB Action

Jarkko Lietolahti Feb 19, 2007 9:56 AM (in response to Burr Sutter)
Please also allow embedded or ad-hoc scripting for flexible maneuvering, hacking and development.

E.g.
<action class="org.jboss.soa.esb.actions.ScriptingAction" name="ScriptingAction"> <property name="scriptEngine" value="JavaScript"/> <property name="script"><![CDATA[ print('Hello, world! Here is your message: '); print( message.toString() ); ]]> </property> </action>

Here's a one link with more information about integrating JSR-223 http://java.sun.com/developer/technicalArticles/J2SE/Desktop/scripting/
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6. Re: Scripting Language ESB Action

Burr Sutter Feb 19, 2007 6:04 PM (in response to Burr Sutter)

"mark.little@jboss.com" wrote:
Burr, can you list what scripting languages are used in other JEMS projects?

I would say the closest thing to a "supported' scripting language would be Beanshell. However, Groovy is also very popular amongst JBossians.

We also have many expression languages that we love. jBPM, Seam and Rules all have different ones.

For the first version of this feature, I'm of the opinion that we should keep it simple. I'm personally happy with Groovy and Beanshell only. I'm also happy with using the Java 6 scripting capability but I don't believe we've tested the overall ESB with Java 6.
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7. Re: Scripting Language ESB Action

Burr Sutter Feb 19, 2007 6:05 PM (in response to Burr Sutter)
"jarkko@jab.fi" wrote:
Please also allow embedded or ad-hoc scripting for flexible maneuvering, hacking and development.

E.g.
<action class="org.jboss.soa.esb.actions.ScriptingAction" name="ScriptingAction"> <property name="scriptEngine" value="JavaScript"/> <property name="script"><![CDATA[ print('Hello, world! Here is your message: '); print( message.toString() ); ]]> </property> </action>

Here's a one link with more information about integrating JSR-223 http://java.sun.com/developer/technicalArticles/J2SE/Desktop/scripting/

I like this suggestion. Thank you for suggesting it.
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8. Re: Scripting Language ESB Action

Emmanuel Bernard Feb 23, 2007 11:09 AM (in response to Burr Sutter)

If it's really about running a script (as scripting language), and not a dynamic language (as class integration), and I believe the scripting integration is targeted, then the JEMS approach is to prefer agnosticism. So JSR-223 should be your target, it's kinda limited but it should do the work.

+1 for the embedded approach
+1 for language guess per extension
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9. Re: Scripting Language ESB Action

dmarchant Mar 1, 2007 6:56 AM (in response to Burr Sutter)

I like the idea of supporting an ECMA scripting language.
If you support ECMA than Javascript and Actionscript 3 could presumably work.

Also what about having a JSON based listener as well. I could probably throw one together fairly easily.
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10. Re: Scripting Language ESB Action

Mark Little Mar 1, 2007 6:58 AM (in response to Burr Sutter)

If you want to contribute a JSON listener that would be great!
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11. Re: Scripting Language ESB Action

Bill Burke Mar 5, 2007 5:54 PM (in response to Burr Sutter)

JBPM has its own tiny scripting as well. And you have drools.
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12. Re: Scripting Language ESB Action

Jarkko Lietolahti Mar 8, 2007 9:30 PM (in response to Burr Sutter)

http://ant.apache.org/manual/OptionalTasks/script.html
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13. Re: Scripting Language ESB Action

Richard Hildred Apr 4, 2008 12:51 PM (in response to Burr Sutter)

Hi:

Was anything done with this? For instance javascript BSF sample in examples? I am interested in possibly implementing something if there wasn't.

thanks

Rich
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14. Re: Scripting Language ESB Action

Mark Little Apr 7, 2008 7:35 AM (in response to Burr Sutter)

We have Groovy support and one of our SEs has worked on more general scripting. That's not in the code yet, but it should be soon.
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