Five tips for using the streaming runtime tool with SAP Web IDE
If you’ve started using the SAP Web IDE to develop streaming projects, you’re probably familiar with the streaming runtime tool as well. As a recap: the streaming runtime tool is basically the browser-based parallel to the streaming run-test perspective in HANA studio, where you can keep an eye on running projects, stop and start them, test them with manual data inputs, and record and play back data. Along with all that, you can also manage data services.
After using it for a couple of months, I thought it might be useful to put together some tips for first-time users.
1. Easily access the streaming runtime tool
When you open up the SAP Web IDE for the first time, you have to look up its URL in the XSA applications list. For the streaming runtime tool, you can also do that – or, for faster access, you can simply open it up directly from the Web IDE by going to Tools > SAP HANA SDS Runtime Tool in the main menu.
2. Best practices for using data services
If you need to connect your streaming project to HANA, or any external database, you’ll need a data service connection. Because there is no default streaming workspace in the streaming runtime tool to create data services, you’ll need to:
- Build and deploy an unfinished (but not empty) project first, to create a workspace.
- Create a data service.
- Add the data service details to your CCL project.
- Redeploy the finished project.
3. Decipher the streaming workspace names
Have you published a lot of different modules to the streaming runtime tool and, due to the automatic name generation, can’t figure out which workspace is which? Check the console log in the Web IDE – it tells you what the workspace was named when it was created:
4. Keep an eye on mismatched panes and streams
You might have noticed that when you open up one of the panes on the right side of the streaming runtime tool interface (playback, manual input, etc), and then switch between projects or streams, nothing changes in the pane. Be careful here: these panes don’t refresh automatically, so you might end up inputting data into the wrong stream or project if you’re not paying attention. To refresh a pane, right click on the project or stream you want, then reopen that pane from the context menu.
5. Refresh the CCL graphical viewer manually
Similarly, if you’re using the CCL graphical viewer and have it open in a tab while working on the same project in the CCL text editor, the viewer doesn’t refresh automatically. Close and reopen the viewer to see your changes.
Found anything else that might be helpful to someone new to the tool? Post a comment below and I’ll add it to the list.