Types of Adobe Dreamweaver extensions

The following list describes the types of Adobe Dreamweaver extensions that are documented in this guide:

Insert Bar object extensions create changes in the Insert bar. An object is typically used to automate inserting code into a document. It can also contain a form that gathers input from the user and JavaScript that processes the input. Object files are stored in the Configuration/Objects folder.

Command extensions can perform almost any specific task, with or without input from the user. Command files are typically invoked from the Commands menu, but they can also be called from other extensions. Command files are stored in the Configuration/Commands folder.

Menu Command extensions expand the Command API to accomplish tasks related to calling a command from a menu. The Menu Commands API also lets you create a dynamic submenu.

Toolbar extensions can add elements to existing toolbars or create new toolbars in the Adobe Dreamweaver UI. New toolbars appear below the default toolbar. Toolbar files are stored in the Configuration/Toolbars folder.

Report extensions can add custom site reports or modify the set of prewritten reports that come with Adobe Dreamweaver. You can also use the Results Window API to create a stand-alone report.

Tag Library and Editor extensions work with the associated tag library files. Tag Library and Editor extensions can modify attributes of existing Tag Dialogs, create new Tag Dialogs, and add tags to the tag library. Tag Library and Editor extension files are stored in the Configuration/TagLibraries folder.

Property Inspector extensions appear in the Property inspector panel. Most of the inspectors in Adobe Dreamweaver are part of the core product code and cannot be modified, but custom Property inspector files can override the built-in Adobe Dreamweaver Property inspector interfaces or create new ones to inspect custom tags. Inspectors are stored in the Configuration/Inspectors folder.

Floating Panel extensions add floating panels to the Adobe Dreamweaver UI. Floating panels can interact with the selection, the document, or the task. They can also display useful information. Floating panel files are stored in the Configuration/Floaters folder.

Behavior extensions let users add JavaScript code to their documents. The JavaScript code performs a specific task in response to an event when the document is viewed in a browser. Behavior extensions appear on the Plus (+) menu of the Adobe Dreamweaver Behaviors panel. Behavior files are stored in the Configuration/Behaviors/Actions folder.

Server Behavior extensions add blocks of server-side code (ASP, JSP, or ColdFusion) to the document. The server-side code performs tasks on the server when the document is viewed in a browser. Server behaviors appear on the Plus (+) menu of the Adobe Dreamweaver Server Behaviors panel. Server behavior files are stored in the Configuration/Server Behaviors folder.

Data source extensions let you build a connection to dynamic data stored in a database. Data source extensions appear on the Plus (+) menu of the Bindings panel. Data source extension files are stored in the Configuration/Data Sources folder.

Server Format extensions let you define formatting for dynamic data.

Component extensions let you add new types of components to the Components panel. Components is the term that Adobe Dreamweaver uses to refer to some of the more popular and modern encapsulation strategies, including web services, JavaBeans, and ColdFusion components (CFCs).

Server model extensions let you add support for new server models. Adobe Dreamweaver supports the most common server models (ASP, JSP, ColdFusion, PHP, and ASP.NET). Server model extensions are needed only for custom server solutions, different languages, or a customized server. Server model files are stored in the Configuration/ServerModels folder.

Data translator extensions convert non-HTML code into HTML that appears in the Design view of the document window. These extensions also lock the non-HTML code to prevent Adobe Dreamweaver from parsing it. Translator files are stored in the Configuration/Translators folder.