InfoPath 2007: Creating UDC Files

[markallanson]

Has anyone out there found any documentation anywhere about creating
UDC files for data connections in Beta 2?

There is a tool inside VSTO that looks like it is going to convert a
data source to a UDC, but for the life of me I can't figure out what to
put in the "URL to the data connection file" box. The tool seems to
mention some intent on creating a UDC if it doesnt already exist, but I
can't get it to do anything other than give me an error message.

I don't care if I have to hand crank the files, does anyone know if
there is an xsd or spec somewhere as to how these UDC files should be
formatted?

Just some background as to why I am trying to do this.

I have a browser form, which submits data to a web service that is on
another machine (hence cross domain). I need to set up the UDC file to
contain the web service connection information and turn on the proxy
for browser forms.

ANY help appreciated, no matter how small, i'm not left with much hair
on my head at the moment!

(How they could release the beta with such terrible documentation is
beyond me. Regardless of the fact that its a beta, there should be some
decent documentation, no excuses!)

 

[Madhur]

Has anyone out there found any documentation anywhere about creating
UDC files for data connections in Beta 2?

There is a tool inside VSTO that looks like it is going to convert a
data source to a UDC, but for the life of me I can't figure out what
to put in the "URL to the data connection file" box. The tool seems
to mention some intent on creating a UDC if it doesnt already exist,
but I can't get it to do anything other than give me an error message.

Hi


I had the same problem. It is rather tricky to create a udcx file in
Beta 2. Once your data connection is created , go to convert option
and give a path of a connection library like this
http://server/connectionlibrary/filename.udcx

Here it is very important to give some filename.udcx. Once you perform this
step .udcx file gets created in connection library although infopath seem
to throw some wierd error.

I have a browser form, which submits data to a web service that is on
another machine (hence cross domain). I need to set up the UDC file to
contain the web service connection information and turn on the proxy
for browser forms.

Cant this be done with normal connection inside the infopath form(Just
asking)

ANY help appreciated, no matter how small, i'm not left with much hair
on my head at the moment!

(How they could release the beta with such terrible documentation is
beyond me. Regardless of the fact that its a beta, there should be
some decent documentation, no excuses!)

I agree with you. Office 2007 , specially sharepoint has some rather complex
features like Excel Web Services, for which no documentation is provided.

 

[MarkA]

Hi


I had the same problem. It is rather tricky to create a udcx file in
Beta 2. Once your data connection is created , go to convert option
and give a path of a connection library like this
http://server/connectionlibrary/filename.udcx

Here it is very important to give some filename.udcx. Once you perform this
step .udcx file gets created in connection library although infopath seem
to throw some wierd error.

Ah, this sounds promising, I'm assuming the important bit here is to
add the /connectionlibrary/ to the server name so it knows it is
creating it in the right place? I assume a default connection library
is created when forms server installs?

I spent a while sitting there trying to create one in C:\filename.udcx


I'll try this when I get to work in the morning. This sounds like good
stuff for a blog post (I've now subscribed to yours).

Cant this be done with normal connection inside the infopath form(Just
asking)

A normal connection works fine if the form is loaded into the InfoPath
rich client. I am trying to get these forms working in the browser
which means...

....Aparently it can [be done with a normal connection] if you set your
form to Security: Full Trust instead of Security: Domain, but I can't
find how to change the security model of the form. I assume it should
happen somewhere in the VSTO designer, but again, can't find it
anyhwhere.

I agree with you. Office 2007 , specially sharepoint has some rather complex
features like Excel Web Services,for which no documentation is provided.

Mmmm yeah I particularly enjot being teased with topic titles that when
clicked emit completely blank pages (yes, all of the forms server
documentation, I'm talking to you)

Thanks for some pointers, I'll let you know how I get on.

 

[Madhur]

Ah, this sounds promising, I'm assuming the important bit here is to
add the /connectionlibrary/ to the server name so it knows it is
creating it in the right place? I assume a default connection library
is created when forms server installs?

I spent a while sitting there trying to create one in C:\filename.udcx

AFAIK .udcx file are created only in connection libraries. They are sort of
machine independent connection information.

I'll try this when I get to work in the morning. This sounds like good
stuff for a blog post (I've now subscribed to yours).

Thanks for that . I will do the same.

Cant this be done with normal connection inside the infopath
form(Just asking)

A normal connection works fine if the form is loaded into the InfoPath
rich client. I am trying to get these forms working in the browser
which means...

...Aparently it can [be done with a normal connection] if you set your
form to Security: Full Trust instead of Security: Domain, but I can't
find how to change the security model of the form. I assume it should
happen somewhere in the VSTO designer, but again, can't find it
anyhwhere.

Just go to Form Options->Security->Full Trust

Mmmm yeah I particularly enjot being teased with topic titles that
when clicked emit completely blank pages (yes, all of the forms server
documentation, I'm talking to you)

Thanks for some pointers, I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks, Ill keep you updated too.

 

[S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton]

Better late than never. Check out this article:
http://blogs.msdn.com/infopath/archive/2006/10/05/Where-do-UDC-files-come-from_3F00_.aspx