PeopleTools ATT: Understanding Application Engine Trace and Troubleshooting Tools

PeopleSoft’s PeopleTools Application Engine (AE) is a powerful tool for developing batch processes, data migrations, and integrations. However, with power comes complexity. When things go wrong with an AE program, debugging can be challenging. This is where the Application Engine Trace (ATT) and other troubleshooting tools within PeopleTools become invaluable. This article delves into understanding and utilizing PeopleTools ATT and related resources to diagnose and resolve issues within your Application Engine programs.

H1: Demystifying Application Engine Trace in PeopleSoft

Application Engine Trace (ATT) is a vital debugging tool within PeopleTools. It allows developers to monitor the execution path of an AE program, capturing detailed information about SQL statements executed, variable values, program flow, and other critical data points. This information is then written to a trace file, which can be analyzed to identify the root cause of errors, performance bottlenecks, or unexpected behavior.

Using ATT effectively requires understanding how to enable it, how to interpret the output, and the different levels of detail available. Mastering these aspects significantly reduces the time spent troubleshooting complex AE programs.

H2: Enabling and Configuring Application Engine Trace

Activating ATT is relatively straightforward, but the level of detail captured depends on the configuration. There are several ways to enable tracing, each offering different degrees of granularity:

• Using the Run Control Page: This is the most common and convenient method. When running an AE program through a run control page, you’ll typically find a tracing section. Here, you can select the desired trace level (explained below) and specify a trace file name.
• Using the Application Engine Program Properties: Within Application Designer, you can configure the trace level and file name within the properties of the AE program itself. This allows you to permanently enable tracing for specific programs.
• Using the PeopleCode API: You can programmatically enable and disable tracing within the AE program using PeopleCode functions like SetTraceLevel and SetTraceFileName. This provides the most flexible control, allowing you to enable tracing conditionally based on specific criteria.

The trace level determines the amount of information captured in the trace file. Common trace levels include:

• 0: No Trace: Tracing is disabled.
• 1: Statement Timing: Captures the execution time of each SQL statement. Useful for identifying performance bottlenecks.
• 2: Statement Trace: Captures the SQL statements executed. Essential for understanding the database interactions.
• 4: Show Values: Displays the values of variables before and after each step. Helps in understanding data flow and variable assignments.
• 8: Explain Plan: Generates the execution plan for each SQL statement. Valuable for optimizing database performance.
• 16: Row Fetch Trace: Captures the data fetched from the database. Important for analyzing data transformations.
• 128: Show AE Step Detail: Outputs detailed information about each AE step, including the current step name, section, and program.
• All: Enables all trace options, capturing the maximum amount of information. Use cautiously, as this can generate very large trace files.

Choosing the appropriate trace level is crucial. Starting with a higher level (e.g., ‘All’) can quickly generate massive trace files that are difficult to analyze. It’s often more efficient to start with a lower level (e.g., 2 or 4) and gradually increase it as you narrow down the problem.

H2: Interpreting the Application Engine Trace Output

The ATT output is a text file containing a chronological record of the AE program’s execution. While the format can seem daunting at first, understanding the key elements makes it easier to decipher:

• Step Information: Each step in the AE program is clearly identified, including the section and program name. This allows you to follow the program’s flow and pinpoint the step where an issue occurs.
• SQL Statements: The executed SQL statements are displayed, often preceded by the time taken to execute them. This is crucial for identifying performance bottlenecks and SQL errors.
• Variable Values: The values of variables before and after each step are shown, allowing you to track data transformations and identify incorrect assignments.
• Error Messages: Any error messages encountered during the execution are logged in the trace file, providing valuable clues about the cause of the problem.

Tools like text editors with search functionality and dedicated trace analyzers can greatly simplify the process of navigating and analyzing the trace file. Look for patterns, unexpected values, and error messages to identify the root cause of the issue.

H3: Common Scenarios and Troubleshooting Tips using ATT

Here are a few common scenarios where ATT can be invaluable:

• SQL Errors: When an AE program fails with an SQL error, the trace file will typically contain the exact SQL statement that caused the error. This allows you to examine the statement for syntax errors, data type mismatches, or other issues.
• Performance Bottlenecks: By examining the execution times of SQL statements, you can identify statements that are taking a long time to execute. This could indicate a need for database optimization, such as adding indexes or rewriting the SQL statement.
• Incorrect Data Transformations: By tracing variable values, you can track the flow of data through the AE program and identify steps where the data is being transformed incorrectly. This is particularly useful for debugging complex data migrations or integrations.
• Unexpected Program Flow: The trace file shows the exact execution path of the AE program. This allows you to identify unexpected branches or loops that are causing the program to behave incorrectly.

Tips for Effective ATT Use:

• Start with the basics: Begin by enabling statement tracing (level 2) to see the executed SQL.
• Narrow your focus: If possible, try to isolate the problem area within the AE program before enabling tracing. This will reduce the size of the trace file and make it easier to analyze.
• Use search effectively: Utilize the search functionality of your text editor to find specific keywords, variable names, or error messages in the trace file.
• Compare trace files: If possible, compare a trace file from a successful execution with a trace file from a failed execution. This can help you pinpoint the differences and identify the cause of the problem.
• Document your findings: As you analyze the trace file, document your findings and the steps you take to resolve the issue. This will help you learn from your mistakes and improve your debugging skills.

H2: Beyond ATT: Other Useful PeopleTools Troubleshooting Resources

While ATT is a powerful tool, it’s not the only resource available for troubleshooting AE programs. Other valuable tools include:

• Message Log: Check the PeopleSoft message log for error messages and warnings related to the AE program.
• Process Scheduler: Examine the Process Scheduler request log for information about the execution of the AE program, including the start and end times, status, and any error messages.
• SQL Trace: Use SQL trace to capture detailed information about the SQL statements executed by the database server. This can be useful for diagnosing performance issues and identifying problems with database indexes or statistics.
• Application Designer Debugger: Use the Application Designer debugger to step through the AE program code and examine variable values in real time. This is particularly useful for debugging complex logic and conditional statements.
• PeopleSoft Support: Consult the PeopleSoft documentation and knowledge base for information about common AE program issues and their solutions. If you’re unable to resolve the problem yourself, consider contacting PeopleSoft support for assistance.

H1: Conclusion: Mastering PeopleTools for AE Troubleshooting

By understanding and utilizing the PeopleTools Application Engine Trace (ATT) and other troubleshooting resources, you can significantly improve your ability to diagnose and resolve issues within your AE programs. This ultimately leads to faster development cycles, more reliable batch processes, and a more stable PeopleSoft environment. Remember to start with the basics, narrow your focus, and document your findings as you work through the troubleshooting process. With practice and experience, you’ll become a proficient troubleshooter, capable of tackling even the most complex AE program challenges.