Java connector methods

  • Release version: Washingtondc
  • Updated February 1, 2024
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    Summary of Java Connector Methods Creating Integrations with Applications

    The Java connector enables integration with Java applications by exposing methods at the connector, screen, and element levels. These methods facilitate various operations such as starting applications, retrieving window handles, and interacting with UI elements. Understanding these methods allows ServiceNow customers to automate and streamline their workflows with Java applications effectively.

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    Key Features

    • Connector Level Methods:
      • Start: Initiates the Java application. Mandatory parameters include the path to the application.
      • GetMainWindowHandle: Retrieves the window handle of the launched application.
      • CloseMainWindow: Closes the main application window.
      • Terminate: Forces termination of the application.
    • Screen Level Methods:
      • GetFields: Extracts data from configured text fields in the application.
      • Maximize/Minimize: Adjusts the application window size.
      • MouseAction: Performs mouse actions like clicks on the application.
      • SendKeys: Sends keyboard inputs to the active field.
    • Element Level Methods:
      • GetText: Retrieves text from specified text box elements.
      • MouseClick: Executes a left-click on the targeted element.
      • SetPassword: Securely inputs a password in password fields.

    Key Outcomes

    By utilizing the Java connector methods, ServiceNow customers can automate interactions with Java applications, improving efficiency and reducing manual input errors. Customers can expect to seamlessly start applications, capture data, perform actions within the UI, and manage application states, all of which contribute to enhanced operational workflows and user experience.

    The Java connector exposes methods at the connector, screen, and element levels. While all types of elements have common methods, they also have different methods.

    Connector level methods

    Start

    Starts the Java application from its location and brings it to focus.
    Note:
    You must execute this method first.

    To provide inputs to the parameters, see Configure port properties.

    Table 1. Start method parameters
    Parameter Description Data port type Data type Default value Mandatory? Notes
    Path Path to the Java application in the local drive. Data in String None Yes
    Args Arguments for the path. Data in String None No

    GetMainWindowHandle

    Returns the window handle of the Java application launched by the Start method.

    Table 2. GetMainWindowHandle method parameters
    Parameter Description Data port type Data type Default value Mandatory? Notes
    Return Returns the Window handle of the application. Data out Integer None Not applicable

    GetMainWindowTitle

    Returns the title of the Java application window.

    Table 3. GetMainWindowTitle method parameters
    Parameter Description Data port type Data type Default value Mandatory? Notes
    Return Returns the title of the window of the application. Data out String None Not applicable

    CloseMainWindow

    Closes the main Java application window.

    Terminate

    Terminates the main Java application window.

    Screen level methods

    Close

    Closes the active Java application window.

    Focus

    If the Java application window is minimized or running in the background, the method restores the focus.

    GetFields

    Gets the data from the text fields in a Java application. You must first configure the text fields. To configure, do the following steps.
    1. Configure the Java connector and capture one or more text fields.
    2. Expose the screen level methods. See Use connector method.
    3. From the Object Explorer pane, drag the GetFields method to the design surface.
    4. Click the method settings icon (Method settings icon.).
    5. Select one or more text fields.
    6. Update the data type of the text field.
    7. To close the CHOOSE FORM ELEMENTS window, click OK.

      A Data Out port is created for each text field you select.

    The GetFields method can now return the data contained in the text fields.

    GetInstanceCount

    Returns the total number of instances of the Java application open.

    Table 4. GetInstanceCount method parameters
    Parameter Description Data port type Data type Default value Mandatory? Notes
    Return Returns the total number of instances of the Java application open. Data out Integer None Not applicable

    GetScreenShot

    Captures and returns the screenshot of the Java application screen.

    Table 5. GetInstanceCount method parameters
    Parameter Description Data port type Data type Default value Mandatory? Notes
    Return Returns the screenshot of the Java application screen. Data out Bitmap None Not applicable

    GetWindowHandle

    Returns the Windows handle number of the Java application screen window.

    Table 6. GetInstanceCount method parameters
    Parameter Description Data port type Data type Default value Mandatory? Notes
    Return Returns the Windows handle number of the Java application screen window. Data out Integer None Not applicable

    IsCreated

    Returns the Boolean response based on whether the rules for a configured window match. When you configure a Java application screen, the MATCH RULES section of the Java connector window shows certain rules that match the screen configured. The method matches the same rules.

    To provide inputs to the parameters, see Configure port properties.

    Table 7. IsCreated method parameters
    Parameter Description Data port type Data type Default value Mandatory? Notes
    MatchAllChildren Returns the Boolean response after matching the rules of the elements of the screen. Data in Boolean None No This parameter is relevant if you capture one or more elements.
    Return Returns the Boolean response to whether the rules of the Java application screen you configured matched. Data out Boolean Null Not applicable

    Maximize

    Maximizes the Java application window.

    Minimize

    Minimizes the Java application window.

    MouseAction

    Performs different mouse device actions on the Java application such as left-click, right-click, and middle-click.

    To provide inputs to the parameters, see Configure port properties.

    Table 8. MouseAction method parameters
    Parameter Description Data port type Data type Default value Mandatory? Notes
    Action Specifies the mouse device action. Data in Mouse device input None Yes
    ClickMiddle Whether a middle-click will be performed. Data in Boolean None No

    Resize

    Changes the width, height, and the position of the Java application window along the X and Y axis.

    To provide inputs to the parameters, see Configure port properties.

    Table 9. Resize method parameters
    Parameter Description Data port type Data type Default value Mandatory? Notes
    xPos Position of the window on the screen along the X-axis. Data in Integer None No
    yPos Position of the window on the screen along the Y-axis. Data in Integer None No
    Width Width of the window. Data in Integer None No
    Height Height of the window. Data in Integer None No

    Restore

    Restores the original dimensions of the Java application window. You can use the method after you have executed methods like Maximize and Minimize.

    SendKeys

    Send any data or keyboard input to the active field on the Java application. For example, you can send a string data "RPA" or a keyboard input [Space] to deselect a check box.

    To provide inputs to the parameters, see Configure port properties.

    Table 10. WaitForCreate method parameters
    Parameter Description Data port type Data type Default value Mandatory? Notes
    Keys Sends the data or keyboard input to the active field. Data in String None Yes
    ClearExistingValue Before sending any data or keyboard input, clears any existing value in the active field. Data in Boolean None No
    TypeDelay Sets a delay before sending any data or keyboard input to the active field. Data in Integer None No

    SetFields

    Set custom text in the text field elements captured from the Java application screen.

    To use the method, do the following steps.
    1. From the Object Explorer, drag the SetFields method to the design surface.
    2. Click the method settings icon (Method settings icon.).
    3. Select one or more text fields.
    4. Update the data type of the text field.
    5. Click OK.

      A Data In port is created for each text field you select. You can pass the string to set in the fields of the Java application.

      To provide inputs to the parameters, see Configure port properties.

    WaitForCreate

    Each screen you configure in the Java connector is identified by some rules, displayed under the MATCH RULES section of the Java Connector window. The method returns a Boolean response based on whether the rules of the screen you had configured matches.

    To provide inputs to the parameters, see Configure port properties.

    Table 11. WaitForCreate method parameters
    Parameter Description Data port type Data type Default value Mandatory? Notes
    timeoutinSeconds Time after which the operation of the method times out. Data in Integer None No
    MatchAllChildren Returns the Boolean response after matching the rules of the elements of the screen. Data in Boolean None No
    Return Returns the Boolean response to whether the rules of the Java application screen you configured matched. Data out Boolean None No

    Element level methods

    GetAccessibleActions

    Returns the list of actions that you can perform on an element. For example, for a button, it returns Click.
    Table 12. GetText method parameters
    Parameter Description Data port type Data type Default value Mandatory? Notes
    Return Returns the list of actions that you can perform on an element. Data out List None Not applicable

    GetInstanceCount

    Returns the total count of an element type in the Java application. For example, if there are three text boxes in an application, the instance count is 3.

    Table 13. GetText method parameters
    Parameter Description Data port type Data type Default value Mandatory? Notes
    Return Returns the instance count of an element type in the application. Data out Integer None Not applicable

    GetText

    Returns the text from the captured text box element in the Java application. To capture multiple texts from multiple text boxes, you must configure multiple text box elements.

    Table 14. GetText method parameters
    Parameter Description Data port type Data type Default value Mandatory? Notes
    Text Returns the text contained in the text box of the Java application. Data out String None Not applicable

    IsCreated

    Returns the Boolean response depending on whether the rules of the element you had configured match.

    Table 15. IsCreated method parameters
    Parameter Description Data port type Data type Default value Mandatory? Notes
    Return Returns the Boolean response depending on whether the rules of the element you had configured match. Data out Boolean null Not applicable

    MouseClick

    Performs a left mouse-click on the captured element.

    PerformAction

    Performs the specified action on an element. For example, click on a button. Each element allows a set of actions that you can get by executing the GetAccessibleActions method.

    To provide inputs to the parameters, see Configure port properties.

    Table 16. IsCreated method parameters
    Parameter Description Data port type Data type Default value Mandatory? Notes
    Action Accepts the action to be performed on the element. Data in String None Yes

    You must specify the action exactly in the format as given by the GetAccessibleActions method.
    Return Returns True if the action was performed, else, False. Data out Boolean None Not applicable

    SetPassword

    Automate entering password securely in the password field of a Java application.

    To provide inputs to the fields see Configure port properties.
    Table 17. SetPassword method parameters
    Parameter Description Data Port type Data type Default value Mandatory? Notes
    Password Accepts the password as a secured string. Data In Secured string None Yes Since it accepts the password as a secured string, it only shows the length of the string when you right-click on the parameter and then click Preview Data.
    UseSendKeys SendKeys is a method used to send keyboard inputs such as characters, numbers, and symbols to text boxes inside an application. Data In Boolean False Yes
    Tip:
    If the SetPassword method fails to input the password in the password field, set the value to True and execute the method again.