Adobe Extending Dreamweaver CS4 - Manual (Page 81)

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Chapter 4: Extending Dreamweaver
Dreamweaver provides an extensive set of tools that you can use to add to or customize its functionality.
When you create a Dreamweaver extension, follow the steps outlined in “ Creating an extension ” on page 2.
The following features of Dreamweaver let you create extensions:
• An HTML parser (also called a renderer) makes it possible to design user interfaces (UIs) for extensions. The parser
uses form fields, absolutely positioned elements, images, and other HTML elements. Dreamweaver has its own
HTML parser.
• A tree of folders that organize and store the files that implement and configure Dreamweaver elements and
extensions.
• A series of application programming interfaces (APIs) that provide access to Dreamweaver functionality through
JavaScript.
• A JavaScript interpreter, which executes the JavaScript code in extension files. Dreamweaver uses the Netscape
JavaScript version 1.5 interpreter. For more information about changes between this version of the interpreter and
previous versions, see “
How Dreamweaver processes JavaScript in extensions ” on page 79.
Types of Dreamweaver extensions
The following list describes the types of Dreamweaver extensions:
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 started 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 Dreamweaver user interface.
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 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 Dreamweaver are part
of the core product code. These inspectors cannot be modified. But, custom Property inspector files can override the
built-in Dreamweaver Property inspector interfaces or create new ones to inspect custom tags. Inspectors are stored
in the Configuration/Inspectors folder.