Java Mapping, XSLT Mapping, ABAP Mapping

Question

Hi Experts,
                 Could any one explain what is the main features of the following Mapping. How to pick the mapping?
Java Mapping - When to use and what is the advantage.
ABAP Mapping - When to use and what is the advantage.
XSLT Mapping - When to use and what is the advantage.
Graphical Mapping - When to use and what is the advantage.
cheers,
Sunee

Answer 1

There are 4 types of mapping in XI
1. Graphical Mapping
2. XSLT Mapping
3. JAVA Mapping
4. ABAP Mapping
When to use Message mapping
1 When the logic for your mapping is simple and straight forward, you can use
Advantages of message mapping
1)Easy to use.
2) has GUI drag and drop.
3) used for simple mapping cases
4) it does not involve any complex logic
Disadvantages of message mapping
1)has limitation in terms of complex hierarchy
When to use Java mapping
1) Java mapping are used when graphical mapping cannot help you.
Advantages of Java Mapping
1)you can use Java APIs and Classes in it.
2) file look up or a DB lookup is possible
3) DOM is easier to use with lots of classes to help you create nodes and elements.
Disadvantages of Java mapping
1)SAX parser is not easy to develop
2)DOM parser is intensive
3) Java knowledge is required
4) bit complexer
XSLT Mapping - When to use
1)When the required output is other than XML like Text, Html or XHTML (html displayed as XML )
2)When default namespace coming from graphical mapping is not required or is to be changed as per requirements.
3)When data is to be filtered based on certain fields (considering File as source)
4)When data is to be sorted based on certain field (considering File as source)
5)When data is to be grouped based on certain field (considering File as source)
Advantages of using XSLT mapping
1)XSLT program itself defines its own target structure.
2)XSLT programs can be imported into SAP XI. Message mapping step can be avoided. One can directly go for interface mapping once message interfaces are created and mapping is imported.
3)XSLT provides use of number of standard XPath functions that can replaces graphical mapping involving user defined java functions easily.
4)File content conversion at receiver side can be avoided in case of text or html output.
5)Multiple occurrences of node within tree (source XML) can be handled easily.
6)XSLT can be used in combination with graphical mapping.
7)Multi-mapping is also possible using xslt.
8)XSLT can be used with ABAP and JAVA Extensions
Disadvantages of using XSLT mapping
1)Resultant XML payload can not be viewed in SXMB_MONI if not in XML format (for service packs < SP14).
2)Interface mapping testing does not show proper error description. So errors in XSLT programs are difficult to trace in XI but can be easily identified outside XI using browser.
3)XSLT mapping requires more memory than mapping classes generated in Java.
4)XSLT program become lengthier as source structure fields grows in numbers.
5)XSLT program sometimes become complex to meet desired functionality.
6)Some XSL functions are dependent on version of browser.
Advantages of Abap Mapping
1) A person comfortable with OOABAP can go for ABAP mapping instead.
Disadvantages of Abap Mapping
1) Abap knowledge is required
2) bit compexer
For further info on each of the mapping, refer to these links,
Graphical Mapping,
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/6d/aadd3e6ecb1f39e10000000a114084/content.htm
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/43/c4cdfc334824478090739c04c4a249/content.htm
XSLT Mapping
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/73/f61eea1741453eb8f794e150067930/content.htm
http://www.w3.org/TR/xslt20/
Java Mapping
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/e2/e13fcd80fe47768df001a558ed10b6/content.htm
DOM parser API
http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/docs/api/org/w3c/dom/package-frame.html
Check this blog on Mapping:
/people/ravikumar.allampallam/blog/2005/02/10/different-types-of-mapping-in-xi
Also, check this thread for more info,
Different types of Mapping in XI