PI13292: Intermittent NullPointerException prevents SCA BLA startup

8.5.5.2: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 2
8.0.0.9: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 9
8.5.5.3: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 3
8.5.5.4: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 4
8.0.0.10: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 10
8.5.5.5: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 5
8.5.5.6: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 6
8.0.0.11: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 11
8.5.5.7: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 7
8.5.5.8: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 8
8.0.0.12: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 12
8.5.5.9: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 9
8.5.5.10: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 10
8.5.5.11: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 11
8.0.0.13: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 13
8.5.5.12: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 12
8.0.0.14: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 14
8.5.5.13: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 13
8.0.0.15: WebSphere Application Server V8.0 Fix Pack 15
8.5.5.14: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 14
8.5.5.15: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 15
8.5.5.14: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 14
8.5.5.17: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 17
8.5.5.20: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5.20
8.5.5.18: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 18
8.5.5.19: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 19
8.5.5.16: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 16
8.5.5.21: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5.21

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• A NullPointerException may occur intermittently when
  attempting to start an Service Component Architecture (SCA)
  business-level application (BLA).
  [2/11/14 22:35:13:366 EST] 00000001 ContainerHelp E
  WSVR0501E: Error creating component
  com.ibm.ws.runtime.component.CompositionUnitMgrImpl@94ff6c51
  com.ibm.ws.exception.RuntimeWarning:
  com.ibm.ws.exception.RuntimeError:
  com.ibm.ws.exception.RuntimeWarning:
  org.apache.tuscany.sca.core.assembly.ActivationException:
  java.lang.RuntimeException: CWSOA1025E: The Service Component
  Architecture (SCA) Runtime cannot obtain the
  CompUnitInfoLoader value.
  
  At the root of the exceptions chain:
  ... 22 more
  Caused by: java.lang.NullPointerException
  at
  com.ibm.ws.sm.workspace.metadata.impl.RepositoryContextTypeImpl.
  findReachableChildrenTo(RepositoryContextTypeImpl.java:251)
  at
  com.ibm.ws.sm.workspace.metadata.impl.RepositoryContextTypeImpl.
  findReachableChildrenTo(RepositoryContextTypeImpl.java:251)
  at
  com.ibm.ws.sm.workspace.impl.RepositoryContextImpl.findContext(R
  epositoryContextImpl.java:706)
  at
  com.ibm.ws.sm.workspace.impl.WorkSpaceImpl.findContext(WorkSpace
  Impl.java:237)
  at
  com.ibm.ws.soa.sca.admin.util.RepositoryHelper.findCellContext(R
  epositoryHelper.java:75)
  ... 26 more
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:  All users of IBM WebSphere Application      *
  *                  Server                                      *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: A small timing window existed which     *
  *                      allowed for an occasional               *
  *                      NullPointerException, which prevents    *
  *                      SCA BLA startup.                        *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  Competing threads making concurrent access of the workspace
  package caused the NullPointerException at the root of the
  exception chain above.
  

Problem conclusion

• A small timing window existed which allowed for an occasional
  NullPointerException.  This timing window was fixed and avoids
  causing the NullPointerException.
  
  The fix for this APAR is currently targeted for inclusion in
  fix packs 8.5.5.2, 8.0.0.9, and SCA1.0.1.19.  Please refer to
  the Recommended Updates page for delivery information:
  http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=180&uid=swg27004980
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

  PI46771

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  WEBS APP SERV N

• Fixed component ID

  5724H8800

Applicable component levels

• R700 PSY

     UP

• R800 PSY

     UP

• R850 PSY

     UP