Editing deployment descriptors
A deployment descriptor is an extensible markup language (XML) file that describes how to deploy a module or application by specifying configuration and container options. The Web deployment descriptor editor helps you to define deployment information in an Web application deployment descriptor for modules that you create in the Web development environment.
Before you begin
This topic assumes that you have assembled code artifacts into an Web module that you want to deploy onto an application server. In order for the WebSphere extensions and bindings elements to show up in the Web project's deployment descriptor, you must ensure that you select WebSphere EJB (Extended) facet when creating your new Web project.
Why and when to perform this task
When you use an assembly tool to create a module, the assembly tool creates deployment descriptor files for the module automatically.
You can edit a deployment descriptor file manually. However, it is preferable to edit a deployment descriptor using an assembly tool deployment descriptor editor to ensure that the deployment descriptor contains valid properties and that its references hold appropriate values.
Deployment descriptor editor | Resources modified in the editor |
---|---|
Web deployment descriptor editor | WEB-INF/web.xml |
Binding information | |
IBM® binding and extensions information such as ibm-web-bnd.xmi and ibm-web-ext.xmi files |
The application server requires binding information to bind the deployment information specified in the application to a specific resource. For example, it may map a logical name of an external dependency or resource to the actual physical JNDI name of the resource. It also may map security role information to a set of groups or users. IBM extensions are additions to the standard descriptors for Dynamic Web projects.
These pages provide explanation of the controls to set numerous application parameters related to paths, and variables referenced, security, and other general deployment settings. As you specify deployment information, the editor incorporates the appropriate tagging.