Fixing XML Representation Problems In Adobe ACC JS SDK

Hey guys, let's dive into a pesky little issue some of us have been running into while working with the Adobe ACC JS SDK, specifically when dealing with XML representations. It looks like there's a hiccup when you're expecting XML as the output, and it's throwing a bit of a fit. Don't worry, we'll break it down and see how we can get things working smoothly again.

The Core of the Problem: XML Representation and the SDK

Alright, so here's the deal. Imagine you're trying to fetch some data and you've set the representation to XML. You'd expect the SDK to handle the conversion and give you back a nice, clean XML document. But, uh oh, something's not quite right. You might encounter an error like TypeError: xmlRoot.hasAttribute is not a function. Not fun, right?

This error usually pops up in the _writeSoapCallParameters function within the @adobe/acc-js-sdk's client.js file. The root cause lies in how the SDK handles the conversion from a SimpleJson representation to XML. Specifically, the _fromRepresentation function doesn't always do the heavy lifting needed to get XML ready for primetime. This can lead to a mismatch and cause the subsequent code (like the hasAttribute check) to fail because it's expecting a different format.

Now, let's look at a concrete example to understand this issue better. Imagine you have a query definition to fetch data from nms:recipient, selecting the @id and @email attributes. You'd set up your query with the expectation that the result would be in XML format. The error will usually occur when the SDK tries to process this query and convert the data into the desired XML representation.

To make things even clearer, let's use a minimal example to replicate the issue. You start by setting up your query definition using the provided schema, operation, and select options. Then, you use client.NLWS.xml.xtkQueryDef.create(queryDef) (or set XML globally) to create the query. After executing the query using executeQuery(), you'll encounter the error.

The error message suggests that the xmlRoot object doesn't have the hasAttribute function. This indicates that the xmlValue isn't a proper XML document at that point. Because the SDK is expecting an XML format but isn't receiving it properly, the hasAttribute call fails. As a result, this breaks the process and prevents you from getting the expected XML output.

Diving into the Code: Where the Fix Lies

So, where does the fix actually live, you ask? Well, it seems the magic happens inside the _writeSoapCallParameters function within client.js. Specifically, the problem occurs when the _fromRepresentation function doesn't convert SimpleJson to XML as expected. The proposed solution involves tweaking this function to convert the paramValue from SimpleJson to the desired XML representation before the subsequent checks are run. This ensures the XML is properly formatted and ready to go.

In essence, the suggested solution is to modify this line:

var xmlValue = this._fromRepresentation(docName, paramValue, paramRepresentation || representation);

to

var xmlValue = this._convertToRepresentation(paramValue, "SimpleJson", paramRepresentation || representation);

This tiny change forces the conversion to XML and ensures the subsequent code can correctly process the output. It essentially makes sure that the xmlValue variable contains a valid XML document, which prevents the hasAttribute error from popping up.

So, by making this small adjustment, you're ensuring that the data is correctly converted to XML before it is processed further down the line. This prevents the error and allows you to fetch your XML data smoothly as expected.

Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing the Fix

Okay, let's talk about how to implement this fix, so you can get back to building awesome stuff. First, you'll need to locate the client.js file within your @adobe/acc-js-sdk installation. Usually, you can find it under node_modules/@adobe/acc-js-sdk/src/client.js. Keep in mind that you might have different versions of the SDK, so make sure you're editing the correct file.

Next, open the client.js file in a text editor or your favorite IDE. Then, find the _writeSoapCallParameters function. You can use the search function to look for the function name.

Once you've found the function, locate the line we mentioned earlier where the _fromRepresentation is used. This is where the magic happens and where the change needs to be made. After you locate the line, replace the original line of code with the modified one. Ensure the change is accurate to avoid causing any other issues.

Save the changes to client.js. After saving, if your project is set up correctly, the changes should take effect immediately. If your project has a build process, you might need to rebuild your project to apply the changes. Test your changes by running your original code that caused the error. If everything is working, the code should now fetch the data in XML format without any errors. If the changes didn't work, recheck the steps to ensure everything was done correctly.

This fix is quite simple, but it is super effective. Remember that modifying files within node_modules might cause issues when you update your dependencies. Consider creating a patch or submitting a pull request to the SDK repository if the changes work well. This will help to permanently fix the issue and prevent it from reappearing when you upgrade.

Potential Issues and Considerations

Alright, let's be real for a moment. While this fix should solve the immediate problem, there are a few things to keep in mind. First off, because you're manually changing the code, it's essential to understand the implications of doing so. One of the main concerns is future updates. If you update the @adobe/acc-js-sdk package, your changes could be overwritten. That's why it's a good idea to keep track of your changes. It will make it easier to reapply them if needed.

Another thing to consider is the possibility of side effects. While this fix resolves the XML representation issue, there's always a chance that changing this part of the code could affect something else. So, you should test your application thoroughly after implementing the fix. Make sure that everything still works as expected and that no new issues arise.

Additionally, depending on your project setup, you might need to rebuild or restart your development environment for the changes to take effect. If you're using a build tool like Webpack or Parcel, you'll likely need to re-bundle your code. If you're not seeing the changes, double-check your build process to ensure the updated client.js is being included.

Last but not least, always consider submitting a pull request or suggesting this fix to the Adobe team. It not only helps get the fix integrated into the official SDK, but it also benefits the whole community. It's a win-win: you help yourself and help others.

Conclusion: Getting Your XML Flowing

In a nutshell, this is how you tackle the XML representation issue in the Adobe ACC JS SDK. By adjusting the way the SDK handles the conversion from SimpleJson to XML, you can eliminate that pesky error and get your XML output working just right.

Remember to carefully follow the steps, test your application thoroughly, and consider the potential implications. Hopefully, this guide helps you resolve the issue and keep your projects running smoothly. Happy coding!

I hope this helps you guys! Feel free to ask more questions.