Behavior extensions

MDM Server provides a mechanism for extending the behavior of the product in
an event-based way. The Pre/Post Transaction and Pre/Post Action points within
the product can be extended to provide additional functionality.
A transaction equates to a published service, or Controller Component
operation. An action equates to an operation on a business logic component.
There may be other predefined points that can be extended. They are
documented as part of the service specification. You can write extensions to
MDM Server behavior as Java code or in a rules engine language. Extensions
are organized into Extension Sets, which are similar to the rule sets within a rules
engine. Examples include generic prospective client rules or line of
business-specific rules like life insurance client rules. The Extension Controller is
the gateway from the core application to behavior extensions and is invoked at
extension points listed above. It is provided with the following information:
Data about extension point that invoked it
The transaction’s object hierarchy
The action’s object hierarchy, in the case of an action extension point
The transaction header that was provided in the original MDM Server request
The Extension Controller uses the parameters to determine if any Extension Sets
must be further evaluated. Relevant Extension Sets are then interrogated and
qualified extensions, either Java or rules sets, are invoked.

Impact of data/behavior extensions on RDP for MDM
The process of extending the MDM data model to support your organization's
specific master data requirements is beyond the scope of this IBM Redbooks
publication. However, this Appendix provides considerations for extending the
MDM Server, and the corresponding impact on the RDP for MDM assets.
Because RDP for MDM loads directly into the MDM target tables, creating new
MDM Server services or behavior extensions will have no impact on RDP for
MDM. However, with extensions to the MDM data model, changes must be made
to both the MDM Server and the corresponding RDP for MDM assets.
MDM Server provides a code generation tool to allow clients to change existing
column attributes, add new columns to existing tables, and add new tables to
satisfy business requirements. The code generation tool also generates the Web
Services integration code for these data extensions.