Configuring Oracle search in collations.xml

For the Oracle database, Guidewire provides specialized search rules through the use of a Java class that you can configure. PolicyCenter exposes this Java class as a CDATA element in the <Database> element for Oracle in collations.xml. To access collations.xml, open Guidewire Studio™ and navigate in the Project window to configuration > config > Localizations.

In this file, search for the following:

<Database type="ORACLE">
  ...
  <DBJavaClass> <![CDATA[...]]></DBJavaClass>
  ...
</Database>

Guidewire PolicyCenter uses this Java code as the source code for a Java class. In the base configuration, the provided Java class defines:

  • General rules for primary-strength searching in the database
  • Specialized rules for searching in the Japanese language
  • Specialized rules for searching in the German language

As defined in the comments in collations.xml, it is possible to modify the embedded GWNormalize Java class directly to meet your business needs. It is useful to modify the GWNormalize class under the following circumstances:

  • You are using an Oracle database and either Japanese or German language strings
  • You are using an Oracle database and primary, accent-insensitive search collation