[ebxml-iic] Configuration through CPPA templates?

[Michael Kass <michael.kass@nist.gov>]

Matt,

I am working on a revised set of ebXML Test Case instances, based upon
discussion in Barcelona. I am using the revised ebXMLTestSuite schema in
CVS to author, 
and was wondering if it may not be more suitable to use GetCPA and SetCPA
XPath expressions and templates, like we use for GetMessage and
SetMessage 
to evaluate configuration conditions in tests?

The reason that I suggest this is in part based upon the complexity of
the CPPA schema. If you look at the nesting of elements, and possible use
of "0 or more"
of the same type of element within a CPPA, the use of  name/value
pairs to express variations in a CPPA would be inefficient and
incomplete, whereas using
XPath schema and template CPPAs would allow expression of any part of the
CPPA in non-ambiguous terms. I've included a schema diagram of a CPPA to
illustrate
my point.   Please look at:

http://xsun.sdct.itl.nist.gov/~mkass/ebXML/ebXMLCPPA.html

Using XPath expressions to evaluate CPPA configuration and to
set CPPA configuration would appear to be a more concise and unambigous
way to express 
configuration. Other configuration parameters that fall outside of CPPA
could still be expressed using the name/value pair method defined in the
<Configuration> 
element.

We can do a runtime evaluation of the CPPA configuration as a
<TestStep>, using a CPPA template, in the same manner that we
evaluate message content using templates.

My suggestion would be to use CPPA templates for both querying CPPA
configuration, as well as setting CPPA configuration 
( Although we may not start out dynamically changing the CPPA contract, I
can envision tests in which we modify the CPPA as the first step in a
conversation ).

I created a modified ebXMLTestSuite schema diagram in which I create a
<SetCPA> element and a <GetCPA> element. These could be
treated just like any other test step using templates. In order 
to do configuration evaluation at any particular TestStep in a TestCase,
one would have to express a <Condition> element in the
ebXMLTestRequirements document ( which I think 
is fair :), and a <TestStep> which evaluates the CPPA for that
condition.

You can see the modified ebXMLTestSuite schema diagram at:

http://xsun.sdct.itl.nist.gov/~mkass/ebXML/ebXMLTestSuite.html

I left in the <Configuration> elements in the schema
because I am not sure whether all configuration will be expressed through
the CPPA.

Comments?

Mike