Oracle

eTRM Electronic Technical Reference Manual version 3.1 Help

About eTRM

eTRM version 3.1
 and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

eTRM was designed and developed by Peter Goldthorp from Oracle Applications Development Services Division.

What is eTRM?

eTRM Overview

eTRM is a pl/sql utility which reads design information in an Oracle database and displays its output in html format.

What information will I find in the eTRM?

The eTRM shows you a web-based view of the Oracle Applications data model.  It provides access to schema object definitions and descriptions.

What about ER/Database diagrams?

ER or database schema diagrams are available as pdf files for most products. They can be accessed from the FND tab

How do I use eTRM?

eTRM has 3 access modes:

  1. Search
  2. FND (FND Model)
  3. DBA (Data Dictionary)

Each mode is presented on a separate html tab.

Search Access

The Search tab is the opening page for eTRM. It allows you to perform search engine queries against the table and column descriptions in the FND Model. eTRM performs an intermedia text search on the descriptions in FND_TABLES, FND_VIEWS and FND_COLUMNS using the text you enter on the search form. For example, if you enter 'contract compliance' and then press 'Search', eTRM will look for tables, views and columns that contain that phrase. The search engine tries to present the most relev ant entries at the top of the list. It uses the following logic for this: first it counts the number of column descriptions that include an exact match for the phrase. Tables with a large column count (many column descriptions match the phrase) will be listed above ones with a lower count. If an 'exact match' search does not return many entries. eTRM will perform a second search. This time it looks for descriptions that contain any of the words in the search condition

The search form can also be used for quick navigation to data dictionary objects. The search form will find objects that match the exact name (no wildcards) entered in the search condition. For example entering 'per_people_f' in the form, will list the view itself in addition to any objects that include the word 'per_people_f' in their description.

DBA Data Dictionary Access

The DBA tab provides an html form to query the dba_objects view. The form allows navigation using drill down navigation or query values. For example you can enter 'AMS\_%' (without the quotes) in the Object Name field to see a count by schema of objects that start with 'AMS_'. If you click on one of the object types it will display a list of them. Clicking on one of the items in the list will cause its definition to be displayed in a separate window.

Object definition and dependency information is available for every item. In addition to this, eTRM includes custom reports for tables, views and pl/sql packages. These provide additional details such as columns and index information for tables. The opening page on the DBA tab allows navigation by schema or product prefix. The product prefix option provides a short cut for populating the Object Name field. This will show the distribution of objects that use the product prefix. Please note t hat this may not represent a complete list of items that belong to that product. Some products use more than one prefix.

FND Model Access

The FND tab allows access to the FND Model. Applications databases hold design information in a series of (FND_) tables. This information records details that are not available from the data dictionary (dba_objects). For example, views are mapped to the products that own them in the FND model. Primary and foreign key constraints represent another example. These constraints are registered in the FND model but are not typically implemented in the product. The FND tab provides a mechanism to access these properties.

It shows design data for tables, views, concurrent programs and quick codes. The FND tab acts as a navigator for this data. You can query by product, object name or object type. The navigator allows you to drill down to find the name of an individual table, view, concurrent program or quick code. When you click on the name the object's definition is displayed in a separate window. This window will include a hypertext link to the dba information if it is available. Static files are also available from the FND tab.

Most of the content that eTRM displays is generated dynamically; each mouse click causes a new database query. This means eTRM will always show the current structure of the database. It never gets out of sync. Unfortunately, it presents problems for people who want to work off-line. Static files are designed to address this. They are self contained pdf and html files that contain diagrams, extracts and summaries of the data that is contained in eTRM.

What information is eTRM showing me?

Once you have told eTRM what object you want information on (by doing the object search or by navigating the virtual appl_top until you have reached the required object), you will be presented with a report that shows both traditional Technical Reference Manual information and dependency information.  This report will include different information for different types of objects, but for example, if you were to have selected a table, you would see the following:

FAQ/Problems

What if I encounter a problem with the eTRM system?

Any bugs or problems encountered with the eTRM system should be reported to the associated product support organization. These types of issues may be reported by submitting a MetaLink Itar.

Are eTRM's available for all products?

Currently, the Applications product suite is the only group which publishes the Technical Reference manuals electronically. For a complete and detailed list of products, navigate to the FND tab.

Will eTRM's be made available for other products in the future?

Technical Reference manuals are produced for every production product in the Applications eBusiness suite. New products will be added to eTRM as they are added to the suite.

Can I request that eTRM's be made available for other products?

eTRM was developed to publish technical reference information for products in the eBusiness Suite. There are no plans to expand this to products outside the suite.

May I request or order hard copies of Technical Reference Manuals?

eTRM replaces the paper based Technical Reference Manuals we produced in the past. Technical Reference Manuals are available in hard copy format for Applications version 11.5.1 and earlier. Technical reference information for 11.5.4 and later versions of Applications will be published via eTRM. 'Static' html files are included in the published eTRM. These can be downloaded for offline working. Static files are available from the FND tab.

How is the eTRM data obtained?

The majority of the data upon which eTRM reports, is obtained from the objects and schemas within an eBusiness database itself. Some data (such as diagrams and descriptions) is pulled from a separate Oracle Designer Repository and added to the data natively available in the database.

Is there any way with eTRM to see the differences between any two point releases?

Not at the moment. This feature is being considered for a future release of eTRM.

Can I add eTRM to my own database (on customer site for instance)

No. Currently eTRM is available only via MetaLink. The idea of supplying eTRM directly to customers is being reviewed for possible inclusion in a future release.

I don't like eTRM. Can I get something like the old printed manuals please?

No. eTRM has completely replaced the old paper manuals. It is possible to download certain static reports (provided with eTRM) and then print these for reference.

The earlier version used to contain a link which explains possible values for a particular column. e.g. pay.pay_payroll_actions.action_type column, which has a specific set of possible values. But in Ver 3.0 of eTRM, there is no means of knowing such a vital information. Where can I find the required information?

The eTRM team has received several requests for this feature to be put (back) into eTRM. The reason it was available before, was that eTRM used to run against an Oracle Designer case repository. This repository provided the required data natively. Now that eTRM (v3) runs against a live E-Business database - making it much more accurate and complete - the required data is not available as easily (if at all).

I'm looking for TRMs for the following modules, the eTRM web site provides on line information for specific objects, but is it possible to have everything in one pdf file?

Unfortunately no. As you may know, the Apps TRMs are no longer produced in PDF format. eTRM reports on all products included in a given Apps point release (i.e. in the rapid install database for that release). Due to its dynamic nature, eTRM can currently provide only html format reports. Selected information from each product is downloadable as a file for printing etc but not in PDF format.

I can login into Metalink OK but, whren I try to get to the eTRM docs the site asks me to login in again - then I get a link to eTRMs, press it and am asked to login again - around and around in a loop. Can you help?

We have occasionally seen this type of issue before; it usually stems from one of the following:

  1. Cookie problem: delete your cookies and temporary internet files and then close or restart all browser windows before trying to access eTRM again.
  2. Cookies not accepted on client machine: reconfigure the browser cookie setting to accept cookies.
  3. The CSI number used is a "partner" CSI: Partner CSIs are explicitly prevented access to eTRM due to the detailed clickthrough agreement that must be accepted by customers when accessing eTRM for the first time.
  4. Environment issues: Check to see if you can access eTRM using your CSI on another PC and/or internet connection? If yes, this will rule out any problem with the CSI number. If you are not able to access eTRM on another PC and/or network connection - preferably one NOT behind a firewall (using the CSI you gave), we must look again at the CSI. If you *are* able to do this, say on a different network connection, then the firewall you are using would be the most likely culprit.
  5. A firewall at the client site is preventing eTRM traffic from passing successfully: This can be tricky and may require you to consult with your firewall admin. If you have successfully used eTRM before (with the same client machine and on the same network), perhaps something was amended on your firewall in the interim. If you are on a home connection, is there a personal firewall running? If you do have a personal firewall or similar, please try disabling it and try eTRM again. We have seen issues with access to eTRM where the customer's firewall has an HTTP proxy feature for outgoing traffic which modifies or blocks HTTP requests sent from the user's browser. If you are behind a corporate firewall, you may need to talk with your firewall admin to identify this.