Enabling live user interface customization editing mode

You can force applications to reload override files every time a browser request is made. This capability shows your customization changes in the product instantly.

Before you begin

Important: Do not leave the product in customization debugging mode when you are using it in a production environment. This capability is resource-intensive and has a major impact on product performance. Use debugging mode only when you are making and testing changes to the user interface during the testing phase. Ensure that you disable this feature after you validate your customizations. If you forget to disable customization debugging, an error is written to the log to remind you.

Procedure

  1. To turn on the customization debugging capability, add a WebSphere® Application Server environment variable named CONNECTIONS_CUSTOMIZATION_DEBUG and set it to true.
    1. Open the IBM® WebSphere® Application Server Integrated Solutions Console, expand Environment, and then click WebSphere variables.
    2. In the Scope section, select cell 1 from the list, and then click New.
    3. Type the following values into the fields:
      Name
      CONNECTIONS_CUSTOMIZATION_DEBUG
      Value
      true
    4. Click Apply, and then OK to return to the previous page.
  2. Enable a trace string to get customization debug information as follows:
    Note: Perform these steps for each server to which the trace string must be added.
    1. Open the IBM®WebSphere Application Server Integrated Solutions Console, browse to Troubleshooting > Logs and trace and select the server to be customized.
    2. Click Diagnostic trace > Configuration.
    3. In the Change log detail levels window, add com.ibm.lconn.core.web.customization.*=all
    4. Click OK and save the changes.
    5. Restart the servers that received the trace string change.
  3. When you have gathered the logging information, disable the trace string as follows:
    Note: Perform these steps for each server to which the trace string was added.
    1. Open the IBM®WebSphere Application Server Integrated Solutions Console, browse to Troubleshooting > Logs and trace and select the server where trace was enabled.
    2. Click Diagnostic trace > Configuration.
    3. In the Change log detail levels window, remove com.ibm.lconn.core.web.customization.*=all
    4. Click OK and save the changes.
    5. Restart the servers that received the trace string change.
  4. Disable customization debugging, set the CONNECTIONS_CUSTOMIZATION_DEBUG variable to false.
    1. Open the Integrated Solutions Console, expand Environment, and then click WebSphere variables.
    2. In the Scope section, select cell 1 from the list.
    3. Select CONNECTIONS_CUSTOMIZATION_DEBUG and enter false in the Value field.
    4. Click Apply, and then click OK.
    5. Restart the server for your changes to take place.