Customizing Subsequent Versions of a Product

If a new version or a patch for a IBM® Cognos® product contains changes to the messages or user interface text, you must customize the resource files again. IBM Cognos User Interface and Error String Customization Toolkit simplifies this task.

It can check whether the new version of files in the source directory differs from the previous version saved in the reference directory. It then updates the files in the reference and synchronization directories by inserting the translate attribute in the string elements that are new or changed in the files in the synchronization directory. Because you customize only new and changed strings, the customization cost is reduced.

Before you begin

Back up all files in the synchronization and reference directories before you begin.

Procedure

  1. Configure Cognos UI and Error String Customization Toolkit to update the configuration settings, if required Configure Cognos UI and Error String Customization Toolkit.
  2. Set up the source directory, and then copy new versions of the input resource files located in the product installation directory named msgsdk in the source directory. For more information, see Prepare the Input Resource Files for Customization.

    Although you can use the source directory from the previous customization project, we recommend that you set up a new source directory.

  3. Ensure that the files from the previous customization project are in the synchronization and reference directories. For more information, see Prepare the Input Resource Files for Customization.
  4. Prepare the input resource files for customization. For more information, see Prepare the Input Resource Files for Customization.

    Files in the synchronization directory and the reference directory are automatically updated. If the current version of an input resource file differs from the previous version, a translate attribute that has a value of new or changed is inserted into the appropriate string elements.

  5. Customize strings identified by the translate attribute. For more information, see Customize the Text.
  6. Validate the resource files. For more information, see Validate the Resource Files.
  7. Generate the target resource files. For more information, see Generate the Target Resource Files.
  8. Copy the target resource files to the product installation directory. For more information, see Copy the Target Resource Files to the Product Installation Directory.
Parent topic: Using Cognos UI and Error String Customization Toolkit