Oracle Tip: Oracle Warehouse Builder (OWB) import table error

I have installed the latest version of Oracle Warehouse Builder 11g 64 bit on a Windows pc (my work pc, actually) since I needed to connect to a customer OWB ETL implementation. 
Everything looked ok (I could connect to the OWB Workspace, navigate through the project, open and deploy mappings, etc.), since I have tried to import new tables in the Oracle Schema. 
As soon as I clicked on Import Database Object, I got the following (and cryptic) error:

SQL Exception 

Persistent Layer Error: SQL Exception

Class name: CacheMediator

Method Name: getSQLResult

Error Message from Persisten Layer: ORA-02085

....

If I clicked on OK, the next step was a grey window with much more known error Java null pointer exception.

I really needed to import the new tables I had created to be able to work, so I started Googling the error, with no success. After a considerable amount of time I got on this note:

https://blogs.oracle.com/warehousebuilder/entry/advanced_properties_of_location_new_for_11gr2

"Note the property "User Global Name", it specifies the unique name of the database, which is composed of the database name and the domain, in the form of database_name.database_domain. If you see the error ORA-02085: database link *** connects to *** during the import of metadata of database objects into OWB. It may mean the database has the system parameter global_names set to true, but you did not select the option "Use Global Name" of the Oracle location, as a result, the generated database link name for the import doesn't include the global database name and hence cannot access the database."

Basically I needed to specify the DB global name in each location that specified a connection to the DB. 
If you do not know the global name of your DB, this SQL query can give you a precious hand. 

SELECT * FROM global_name;

So unregister your location, specify the DB global name option and register the location again.

Oracle Tip: Oracle Warehouse Builder Workflow Installation

To my surprise, Oracle Workflows were not installed in my current Development  environment (OWB Tahoe Development Version 11.2.0.3 and Oracle Database 11.2). I found out when I tried to deploy a new workflow. I was asked to input connection  details and when I tested the connection, I got the following error:
 "The connection was succesful but failed to retrieve workflow version." 

After Googling it, I discovered you have to install the Oracle Workflow Server by executing the wfinstall.bat script. You can find it in <OWB_HOME>\wf\install.

The screenshot shows a Windows installation. You have to input the following parameters:

• Workflow Account: OWF_MGR is the default user
• Workflow Password: Choose a password for the Workflow Manager User
• SYS Password: password for SYS user 
• TNS Connect Descriptor: specify connection details in the format <host>:<port>:<SID>

and then click on Submit. You do not have to create the DB user previously, the process will create it automatically.
At the end of the process, you will receive an encouraging message "Workflow Configuration has completed successfully".

Now, you would probably try to deploy the workflow again. At least, this is what I did and I got this error:

 RPE-02260: Database User OWF_MGR must be a Control Center User.  Please use the OWB Design Client against the Control Center repository to  grant the Control Center User role.

So you first need to register the OWF_MGR user as a Workspace user (in Oracle Warehouse Builder -> Administration -> Repository Assistant). Finally, you will be able to create and deploy your workflows.

Oracle Tip: OWB Workspace Installation Error

I am starting a new project and I need to use Oracle Warehouse Builder. I have been given a 64bit Windows machine. A 32 bit version of OWB had already been installed, but when I tried to run it I got the following error:

The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000018). 
After asking Google and Oracle Forums for explainations, I realized I had to download and install  OWB 11 for Microsoft Windows 64-bit (http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/es/developer-tools/warehouse/downloads/index.html).
I have downloaded it and I installed it. I needed to create a new Workspace, but after a few steps, I got the error:

The Warehouse Builder workspace owner installation failed on user OWBSYS. ORA-29532: Java call terminated by uncaught Java exception: java.sql.SQLException: OWBSYS is not granted access to <OWB_HOME>\repos.properties: Please run UnifiedRepos/reset_owbcc_home.sql

What is that? I have discovered that since the new installation was forced to be on a different PATH from the original, the OWBSYS user did not have access to the .properties file and installation could not go further.
So, I did what suggestes. I have located the set_owbcc_home.sql script and I run it as SYSTEM.

This is the script output:

SQL> @reset_owbcc_home.sql
Enter the full path of the Oracle home for the OWB Control Center install.
If you are installing in a Windows environment, please ensure that the case of t
he path exactly matches the Oracle install path including the drive letter.

OWB Control Center Home:
D:\product\11.2.0\dbhome_2
PL/SQL procedure successfully completed.


PL/SQL procedure successfully completed.

The script asked me for the Oracle Warehouse Builder path, as shown.

I then retried the Workspace creation and it worked fine.