As you create a map, you can use BizTalk Mapper to verify that the map you designed produces the correct output. The Test Map feature (an option on the Tools menu) automatically generates a test instance of the source document from the specification. This feature uses information from the source specification, such as the number of occurrences of records and the data types of fields, from the specification and generates the test instance. You can specify a value for any record or field in the Source test value box on the Values tab and test the results of that data.
BizTalk Mapper supports instances as native or Extensible Markup Language (XML). In addition, it also supports native output from the map test process where applicable. Depending on the source specification and destination specification that make up your map, one or more of the options in the following table will be available for you to test your map.
| Test Map option | Description |
| Generated XML to XML | A test instance of the source document is built and then fed to the style sheet. The output is displayed in the Output window as XML. |
| Generated XML to Native | A test instance of the source document is built and then fed to the style sheet. The output is serialized to native format and displayed in the Output window as native data. This option is not available if the output schema is XML. |
| Instance XML to XML | An instance file that you specify is used to create the output, which is displayed in the Output window as XML. |
| Instance XML to Native | An instance file that you specify is used to create the output, which is displayed in the Output window as native data. This option is not available if the output schema is XML. |
| Native Instance to XML | A native instance file that you specify is used to create the output, which is displayed in the Output window as XML. The format of the specified instance is assumed to be the same as the standard for the input schema. This option is not available if the input schema is XML. |
| Native Instance to Native | A native instance file that you specify is used to create the output, which is displayed in the Output window as native data. The format of the specified instance is assumed to be the same as the standard for the input schema. This option is not available if the input schema or output schema is XML. |
When you test a map, BizTalk Mapper automatically compiles it. However, it is best to first compile a map and resolve any warnings or errors prior to testing it. Before the test begins you are prompted to save your file. Saving your file prior to testing it is a precautionary measure to preserve your data in case any problems are accidentally introduced into the map.
BizTalk Mapper gives you the option to validate source instance data against the source specification prior to map testing. If one of the specifications you are using in your map is a non-BizTalk Server-based specification, such as an XML-Data Reduced (XDR) file, and you use the content validation feature, validation might fail. If warnings, especially those related to namespaces or element groups, appeared when you opened the XDR file, you should not use the content validation feature.
BizTalk Mapper also gives you the option to validate content after the mapping functionality has been completed. In this case, BizTalk Mapper will validate the output data against the destination specification. As is the case with Validate content before map test functionality, if one of the specifications you are using in your map is a non-BizTalk Server-based specification, such as an XDR file, and you use the content validation feature, validation might fail. If warnings, especially those related to namespaces or element groups, appeared when you opened the XDR file, you should not use the content validation feature.
After you test a map, the results appear on the Output tab. The test data corresponds to the destination specification.
The following topic is covered in this section:
Related Topics
BizTalk Mapper Options: Document Delimiters Tab
BizTalk Mapper Options: General Tab
Test maps
Test record and field properties that have links
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