Specifications

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CHAPTER 17
Components
Components are modularized groups of functions, or objects, that can be used as building blocks
for applications and web pages. Some component types adhere to established sets of protocols,
letting developers connect components that adhere to the same protocols. Each component has a
reflection API that contains metadata that describes the component functionality to the systems
upon which it is loaded. Component types usually run only on specific server models that support
the specifications for handling them. Web Services, ColdFusion Components, and JavaBeans are
good examples of component architecture.
Each component contains generic methods through which it informs the system upon which it is
loaded about the functionality that it supports (in other words, meta discovery that uses a
reflection API). Adherence to component architecture lets objects be loaded dynamically.
Dreamweaver’s Component panel lets users load and work with components. It lists all the
available component types that are compatible with each enabled server model. For instance,
because JavaBeans can work only on a JSP page, JavaBeans components appear only in the JSP
server model within the Component panel. Likewise, because CFCs can work only on a
ColdFusion page, they appear only in ColdFusion within the Component panel.
Extensibility lets you add new component types into the panel. After you add the new
components, they appear in the Components pop-up list. You can also add instructions for
setting up components that appear in the Component panel or in a dialog box (depending on the
extension for which the steps are implemented) as numbered steps. The Setup Steps then display
interactively as users load the new components, with checkmarks appearing next to any step that
is already completed.
Component panel files
Component files are stored in the Configuration/Components/server-model/ServerType folder.
Creating a custom component that can work in the Component panel involves the
following procedures:
• Preparing the files to display the component in the user interface.
• Enabling the component in JavaScript.
If you want the component type to display in tree control view, you also need to create the
associated optional files and populate the tree control.