Chapter 19: Server Models; Chapter 19: Server Models; How Customizing Server Models Works - MACROMEDIA DREAMWEAVER MX 2004-EXTENDING DREAMWEAVER Manual

CHAPTER 19
Server Models
Server models are the technologies that run scripts on a server. When users define a new site, they
can identify the server model that they want to use at the site level and at the individual document
level. This server model handles any dynamic elements that the user adds to the document.
Server model configuration files are stored in the Configuration/ServerModels folder. Within that
folder, each server model has its own HTML file that implements a set of functions that the server
model requires.

How customizing server models works

You can customize some features of a server model using the functions that are available in the
Server Model API.
Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004 asks new users to identify server models when they first
start Dreamweaver. For cases when the user does not identify a server model, you can create a
dynamic dialog box that prompts the user to complete the necessary steps. This dialog box
appears when the user attempts to insert a server object. For information on creating this dialog
box, see the getSetupSteps() and setupStepsCompleted() functions.
You might want to create a specialized server model. Macromedia suggests that you create a new
server model rather than editing any of the ones that come with Dreamweaver. (For information
regarding creating new document types that are supported by your server model, see "Extensible
document types in Dreamweaver" on page 42.)
When you create a new server model, you need to include an implementation of the
function in your server model file. This function tells Dreamweaver
canRecognizeDocument()
the level of preference that it should give to your server model for handling a file extension when
multiple server models claim a particular file extension.
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