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Integration
September 7, 2018
Enabling the Future Today - Feature Flags in Oracle Integration
Enabling the Future Today
Last Updated: Thursday 5 December 2019
Within Oracle Integration we are moving to a model that allows us to trial new features without making them available to everyone. Everyone runs the same codebase but feature flags control what is available to a specific instance. Why would we do this? For multiple reasons:
- Gain feedback on new features before rolling them out to the whole user base.
- Test new features in "the wild" in a controlled manner.
- Be able to rollback new features that may have unforeseen problems.
How It Works
Each new feature is given a flag that is used to control its availability. For instance the flag for the small footprint OIC agent was oic.adapters.connectivity-agent.light-weight-agent. If this flag was enabled for a given OIC instance then they could download the lightweight connectivity agent. Other OIC instances running the same code but with the flag turned off would not offer the new agent.
Flags are controlled from a central system and can be updated in real time by Oracle development and operations. This means that feature flags can be turned on very quickly, and also if a problem occurs they can be disabled.
Feature Flag Lifecycle
Feature flags have a lifecycle as illustrated below.
The different stages are:
Internal Only
You may see a product manager demo features on an instance that are not currently available, if using a production pod these may only be available to internal users. This is where we try things out internally before turning them on for any customers. Once we are happy with the feature internally we are ready to share it with selected customers and move the feature to Feature Controlled. Note that this change in stage does not require any code changes, it just alters our internal approval process to enable the feature.
Feature Controlled
Once a feature enters the feature controlled stage then a customer may request that the flag be enabled for one or more of their OIC instances. If approved then those instances will have the flag enabled and the feature will become available within a few minutes of being enabled. Again there are no code changes to the customer instance, just the change in the flag status from disabled to enabled in the central feature flag server.
Feature Controlled General Availability
Once we are happy with the stability of a feature we will enable it for all instances. This again does not require a code change. We leave the flag in place so that if a specific customer has a problem we can disable the feature just for them or roll it back. This is a safety measure in case problems occur that were not caught by internal users or early adopters of the feature.
General Availability
Eventually the flag controlling the feature will be removed. This has no impact on the end user, it just allows us to keep the code paths clean and remove unused code that has been made obsolete by the new feature. End user will see no difference between this stage and the previous one. So I mention it here only to explain how we keep our codebase clean.
What Flags are Available?
The following flags are currently available in the Feature Controlled stage. We will be blogging about these features and as we do we will update the detailed explanation with a blog entry explaining the feature in detail. As we add new features we will update this blog. Check the first line of the blog to see when it was last updated.
| Feature Flag Name | Description | Detailed Explanation | Earliest Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.fa.oauthSupport | Connect to Oracle ERP Cloud, HCM Cloud or Engagement Cloud using OAuth | ,19.2.3 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.ftp.agent | Allow FTP adapter to use agent | 19.32180 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.netsuite.AsyncSupport | Support for invoking Asynchronous methods in NetSuite | A Simple Guide to Asynchronous calls using Netsuite Adapter | 19.31520 |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.rest.inboundoctetstream | Octet-Stream support for Rest Adapter Inbound support | 19.31410 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.rest.mvrp | REST multiple resource support in inbound. | How to use Pick action in OIC Orchestration | 18.4.5 |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.utilities.wsdlupload | Option to upload wsdl for inbound Utilities adapter | 18.2.3 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapters.box | New Adapter for Box | 19.31290 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapters.hcmsoapapis-ignore | Ignore unsupported hcm soapapis for fa adapters | Delisting of unsupported HCM SOAP APIs | 19.31860 |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapters.salesforce.elementnames-curation | Salesforce adapter element names curation | 19.31521 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.faadapter.custom-event | Consume Custom Events in FA Adapters | 18.4.5 | |
| oic.ics.console.diagnostics.oracle-litmus-support | Litmus support for automated testing. | How to use Asserter to create OIC Integration unit tests automatically and run them to catch regressions | 18.2.5 |
| oic.ics.console.integration.generate_analysisjson | Generation of analysis.json document | 18.4.1 | |
| oic.ics.console.integration.invoke.local.integration | Integration calling integration activity | How to invoke an Integration From another Integration in OIC without creating a connection | 18.3.1 |
| oic.ics.console.library.update | Allow update of a registered library | Update library in continuous manner even after being consumed by integration | 19.30340 |
| oic.ics.console.monitoring.tracking.improved-activity-stream | Improved activity stream UI | Using the next generation Activity Stream | 19.32180 |
| oic.ics.console.notification-attachment | Allows user to add attachment to notification action | How to send email with attachments in OIC | 19.32001 |
| oic.ics.feature.parallel-for-each | Support for Parallel For-Each | 18.4.1 | |
| oic.ics.featureflag.spa.designer | Integration designer JET pages | Integration Designer Pages - Progressive Web App UI Experience | 19.32380 |
| oic.ics.mapper.jetmap-enablement | New Jet UI based mapper | New JET based OIC Mapper | 18.2.3 |
| oic.ics.stagefile.pgp.key.support | Support encryption/decryption in stage file read/write operation | 19.31130 | |
| oic.insight.consoles.instanceprogress | Support different display for Insight instance details page | 18.3.3 | |
| oic.insight.instances.export | Allow export of Insight instance list data in CSV format | 19.1.3 | |
| oic.process.deploy.msid | process msid | 19.3.1 | |
| oic.process.form.externalui | Enhanced integration with VBCS or other external UI | 18.4.5 | |
| oic.process.search.isEnabled | OIC Process Search | 19.1.5 | |
| oic.processdt.generic.microprocess | Micro Process support in process for OIC | 19.32000 | |
| oic.processdt.generic.mlm | Machine learning model in process for OIC | 19.31130 | |
| oic.processdt.generic.translation | Translation editor support in process for OIC | 19.32380 | |
| oic.processrt.notify.comments | Allow sending notification with comments | 19.3.1 | |
| oic.suite.settings.certificate | Common certificate and key management UI | 19.31521 | |
| oic.suite.settings.dbspace | Common simplified data retention settings | 19.31521 | |
| oic.vfs.native-encryption | native encryption support in virtual file system | 19.30390 |
How to Request a Feature Flag
To request a feature flag be enabled for one of your environments raise a Service Request via My Oracle Support. First make sure that the version of your environment matches the minimum required version for the flag to be available. Provide the following information in the SR:
- Name of the feature flag that you want to be enabled.
- URL of your OIC instance
- Content of the About Box from your OIC instance which should include the following:
- Service Instance Name e.g. myinstance (obtain from about box)
- Identity Domain e.g. idcs-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (obtain from about box)
- Justification, explain why you want the feature enabled, providing a use case.
Your request will then be submitted to a product manager for approval. Once approved then the feature will be enabled on your requested environment.
Caveats
Features are in controlled availability because they may still have some defects in them. Be aware that by using feature flag controlled items ahead of general availability means that you are being an early adopter of new features and although we do our best to ensure a smooth ride you may experience some bumps. Occasionally we may have to make changes to the functionality enabled in the feature flag before it becomes generally available. Just something to be aware of. However the feature flag enables us to release new features to customers whose use cases will benefit from them before we are ready to make a feature generally available. We think this is good for both you, the customer and us, Oracle, A win-win situation!
Previous Flags Now Generally Available
The following flags are no longer used as the features they controlled are now available to all instances of Oracle Integration Cloud. Note that if you are using User Managed Oracle Integration Cloud then you may need to upgrade to the latest release to get these features.
| Feature Flag Name | Description | Detailed Explanation | Earliest Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| oic.adapter.connectivity-agent.ha | HA support for connectivity agent | The Power of High Availability Connectivity Agent | 18.3.1 |
| oic.adapters.hcm-cloud.atom-feed-support | Atom Feed support for HCM Adapter | Subscribing to Atom Feeds in a Scheduled Integration | 18.1.3 |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.aq.rawobjectqueues | This feature enables RAW and Object type Queues for consuming and producing messages via AQ Adapter in OIC | 18.3.3 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.database.batchInsertUpdate | Oracle Database Adapter - Operation On Table - Insert and Update | 18.2.3 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.database.batchSelect | Oracle Database Adapter - Operation On Table - Select and Merge | 18.3.3 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.db2database.batchInsertUpdateSelectMerge | DB2 Database Adapter - Operation On Table - Insert, Update, Merge and Select | 18.3.3 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.dbaasdatabase.batchInsertUpdateSelectMerge | Oracle DBaaS Adapter - Operation On Table - Insert, Update, Merge and Select | 18.3.3 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.ebs.enableOpenInterface | Support for Oracle E-Business Suite Open Interface Tables and Views in Oracle E-Business Suite adapter | 18.4.1 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.erp.fileUpload | File Upload functionality in ERP Adapter. | 18.3.5 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.hcm.dataExtract | Data Extract for HCM Adapter | Configuring the Extract Bulk Data Option in an Integration | 18.2.3 |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.hcm.fileUpload | File Upload functionality in HCM Adapter. | 18.3.5 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.mysqldatabase.batchInsertUpdateSelectMerge | MySql Database Adapter - Operation On Table - Insert, Update, Merge and Select | 18.3.3 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.netsuite.customRecord | CRUD and search support of custom record in Netsuite | 18.4.1 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.netsuite.tba | Token Based Authentication support in Netsuite Adapter | 18.4.5 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.rest_opa.inbound | Enable inbound operation support in the Oracle Policy Automation adapter | 19.31130 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.rest.awssignaturev4 | Amazon Signature Version 4 Policy in Rest Adapter | 19.2.1 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.rest.oauth10aPolicy | OAuth for REST Adapter | 18.1.5 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.rightnow.fileDownload | Rightnow (Service Cloud) Adapter file download feature | 18.1.5 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.rightnow.mtom.upload | File upload as MTOM in Rightnow | 19.2.1 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.rightnow.noSchema | Design optimization for removing Design time artifact during runtime and generate new Runtime(RT) WSDL to improve performance | 18.1.5 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.rightnow.queryCSV.Validation | QueryCSV Validation is implicit query validation done by the system(ics) to check for normal syntax issues if user did not choose to Test Query button | 18.1.5 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.soap.dynamicInvocation | SOAP Dynamic Invocation | 19.1.3 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.soap.enableMtom | MTOM Support for SOAP Adapter | 17.4.5 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.sqlserverdatabase.batchInsertUpdateSelectMerge | SQL Server Database Adapter - Operation On Table - Insert, Update, Merge and Select | 18.3.3 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapter.stagewrite.schema.generation | Support JSON-ZIP-XML in stage file operations | 19.2.3 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapters.aarpa | Automation Anywhere Adapter | 19.2.3 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapters.atpdatabase | Adapter for ATP CS | OIC-integration-with-OracleATP | 18.4.5 |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapters.dbaasdatabase | Oracle DBaaS Adapter | 18.2.3 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapters.mqjms | New (JMS-based) Adapter for IBM MQ Series | 19.30920 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapters.oraclehcmtbe | Taleo Business Edition (TBE) Adapter | 18.2.3 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapters.oraclemonetization | Oracle Monetization cloud adapter | 18.4.5 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapters.otac | Oracle Talent Acquisition Cloud adapter | 18.4.5 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapters.rest_opa | Oracle Policy Automation Adapter | 18.2.3 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapters.soaadapter | New Adapter for Oracle SOA Suite/Service Bus (incl. support for SOA Cloud Service) | How SOA Suite Adapter Can Help Leverage your On-premises Investments | 19.30750 |
| oic.cloudadapter.adapters.uipathrpa | UI Path RPA Adapter | 18.4.3 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.cloudsdk.zipcircularref | Processing circular references in zip schema file | 19.2.1 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.ftp.multilevelauth | FTP Multi Level Authentication | 19.2.3 | |
| oic.cloudadapter.sdk.enable.default.tls | TLS version handling | 18.4.5 | |
| oic.common.clone_service | Allow cloning of an existing ICS or OIC instance |
Docs for cloning an ICS instance into a new OIC instance. |
18.2.3 |
| oic.common.clone_service.process | Enables import/export for process artifacts | 19.30010 | |
| oic.common.clone_service.sync_flow | Clone service for synchronous flow | 19.1.5 | |
| oic.ics.console.diagnostics.download-options | Download options on ICS UI | 19.1.5 | |
| oic.ics.console.integration.inline-menu | Allow user to add actions/trigger/invoke inline from canvas instead of drag and drop | 18.3.1 | |
| oic.ics.console.integration.layout | View integration as pseudo style layout. | See How Easily You Can Switch Your Integration Views | 18.3.1 |
| oic.ics.console.integration.nested-try-scopes | Allow user to create nested scopes | A simple guide to use nested scope in orchestration | 18.2.5 |
| oic.ics.console.integration.throw-action | Allow users to throw error in integration | Working with Throw New Fault Activity | 18.2.5 |
| oic.ics.console.monitoring.dashboard.use-tracking-api-for-metrics | Up-taking new tracking APIs for dashboard metrics | 19.3.1 | |
| oic.ics.console.monitoring.tracking.filter.custom-date-range | Filter by custom date range in Monitoring | Custom time range filter for monitoring pages in OIC | 19.2.1 |
| oic.ics.console.schedule.parameter-override-support | Allows user to override the schedule parameters | Overriding Schedule Parameters | 18.2.3 |
| oic.ics.console.schedule.use-scheduleparam-as-tracking-var | Allow schedule parameter in business identifier dialog and use it as tracking variable | Use schedule parameters as tracking variables | 19.3.1 |
| oic.ics.feature.new-version-check | Control whether to use the new cversion based compatibility check or with old ICS version based compatibility check. | 19.3.1 | |
| oic.ics.mapper.encode-decode-on-files | Base64 Encode/Decode for Files | 18.1.3 | |
| oic.ics.monitoring.historicalMetrics.migration | Historical metrics migration for OIC | 19.2.3 | |
| oic.ics.stagefile.reference.processing | Allow users to configure file reference in stagefile operations | 18.3.3 | |
| oic.insight.jetui.production | Jet UI for Insight | 18.3.1 | |
| oic.intg.uiapi.wait-action-in-seconds | Allow user to define wait action in seconds | 19.30750 | |
| oic.process.dt.customer-usage-email-notification | Enables process to use notification | 19.3.1 | |
| oic.process.dt.metrics.cache | PCS projects metric cache | 19.1.3 | |
| oic.trigger.error.instance | Creating failed instances in trigger | 19.1.5 |
Join the discussion
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This is great.Do we have an updated version of the document.?
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This document is updated on a regular basis, check the first line under the "Enabling the Future Today" title to see when it was last updated.