78 The XML Files: Develo pment of XML/XSL A pplications Using WebSp here Studio
򐂰Apache Tomcat, which can be installed only locally and supports testing of
Web applications.
4.2.11 Plug-in development tools
The WebSphere Studio family (except for Site Developer Advanced) include the
PDE (Plug-in Development Environment) which is designed to help you develop
platform plug-ins while working inside the platform workbench, and it provides a
set of platform extension contributions (views, editors, perspectives, etc.) that
collectively streamline the process of developing plug-ins inside the workbench.
The PDE is not a separate tool, but it is a one of perspectives. PDE blends with
the platform and offers its capabilities through a new perspective.
The following project types are supported:
򐂰Plug-in project
WebSphere Studio Application Developer is based on the concept of plug-ins,
which have a clearly defined structure and specification. This project supports
creating, testing , and deploying a plug-in in the PDE.
򐂰Fragment project
A plug-in fragment is used to provide additional plug-in functionality to an
existing plug-in after it has been installed. Fragments are ideal for shipping
features like language or maintenance packs, which typically trail the initial
products by a few months.
򐂰Plug-in component
PDE attaches a special component nature to plug-in and fragment projects to
differentiate them from other project types. The project must have a specific
folder structure and a component manifest. The project must be set u p with
references to all of the plug-in and fragment projects, which will be packaged
into the component.