Understanding the BizTalk Mapper: Part 13 – Is the Mapper the best choice for Transformation in BizTalk?

In this section:
Transformation Choices
BizTalk Mapper
Custom XSLT with the BizTalk Mapper
External Transform Engine
Transformation in code
Which one should you use?

Transformation Choices

When performing transformations in BizTalk, you have four
choices (that I can think of):

1. Using the BizTalk Mapper
2. Using a custom XSLT file with the BizTalk Mapper
3. Using a separate transformation engine (called from code)
4. Performing transformations in code

Each of these offers their own benefits depending on your
requirements.


Normally your choice will depend on 3 factors:

• Performance
• Complexity
• Maintainability

Generally you will get one (or two) of these, at the cost of
the third.


For simple transformations, you can get all three with the
Mapper using the built-in functoids.