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Using ODBC/REST APIs vs direct database access with Rational Insight


June Boston (1942438) | asked Jun 16 '14, 7:45 p.m.
 Hello,

When configuring custom jobs with Rational Insight, what are the pros and cons of using the REST APIs (accessed via the .xdc ODBC configurations) vs directly accessing the database with Cognos.  I understand there is a risk of the underlying data structure changing and that stability is better guaranteed through the REST APIs, but is there any other reasoning behind one over the other?

We are attempting to collect data related to the current iteration plan snapshot, including the scheduled start and end dates and the time rollups.  The /apt/ section of the REST API is not documented, and while we are trudging through to it to figure out what queries we need (and will likely have to customize the .xdc files as well), we are able to directly pull the information needed from the CCM database via Cognos.

Is this direct approach not recommended or can we proceed with Cognos?

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Benjamin Silverman (4.1k610) | answered Jun 16 '14, 8:02 p.m.
FORUM ADMINISTRATOR / FORUM MODERATOR / JAZZ DEVELOPER
Hi June,

The reason is as you suggested.  The underlying database structure is complex, subject to change and undocumented.  The recommended approach is to use the REST API's as much of the CLM data cannot be retrieved from the database in a readable format without the REST API's presenting it in such a way.
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