Extending JSP files with custom tags

You can extend IBM® Connections by adding your own custom JSTL tags to meet your company's needs.

Procedure

  1. Optional: Turn on the customization debugging capability. For more information, see Enabling and disabling customization debugging.
  2. Copy the .jsp file from the WAR file of one of the applications that you would like to customize. You can access the file from the following directory:
    WAS_HOME/profiles/profile_name/installedApps/cell_name/
application_name.ear/application_name.war/nav/templates
    Where:
    • WAS_HOME is the directory where IBM WebSphere® Application Server is installed.
    • profile_name is the profile where you installed IBM Connections.
    • cell_name is the cell where you installed the application.
    • application_name.ear is the name of the application EAR file. To customize interface styles that are common to all applications, use the Common.ear file.
    • application_name.war is the name of the application WAR file.
      Tip: For a list of the web application source directories that are packaged with IBM Connections, see Application WAR files and OSGi bundles.
    • version is the version number of the IBM Connections release plus the date and build number of the JAR file.
  3. Paste the .jsp file into the appropriate subdirectory in the customization directory.

    See Determining where to save your customizations for more information about locating your base customization directory.

  4. Copy the content of the .tag file containing the custom tags that you want to add, then open the .jsp file and paste the content where it needs to be rendered.
  5. Save and close the .jsp file.
  6. To test your changes, refresh the web browser, and then access the page from the product.
  7. Optional: If you enabled custom debugging, turn off the debugging capability when you are ready to publish your changes. For more information, see Enabling and disabling customization debugging.
  8. See Post-customization step for information about how to apply your changes permanently.