Site Definition
- Site Definitions are the foundations on which all sites and user templates are built.
- Site Definition is collection ox XML and .aspx file.
- Site Definitions are predefined components needs to be included when a site was created in SharePoint server.
- Site Definition contains information of Web Part , Lists, Features and navigation bars to be included in the site.
- Customizing Portal Sites and other SharePoint sites using Site Definition is most appropriate for third party developer and SharePoint Administrator.
- Site Definitions requires access to a file system of the Web Server.
- Server administrator must be also involved in deployment of Site Definitions.
- Custom Site Definitions are Version and Upgrade independent.
- Subsequent upgrades to SharePoint products and technologies may overwrite existing Site Definitions. Using Custom Site definition exclude site from potential upgrade issues.
- To avoid Unghosting , Custom Site Definition is to be create.
- There are two options to create it
- Create New Site Definition File : Either Start from Scratch and create files one by one or Copy an existing Site Definition and modify it.
- Copy a Site Definition and change it in Visual Studio: We can make copy an existing site definition and modify it in visual studio to create new site definition.
- Create New Site Definition File : Either Start from Scratch and create files one by one or Copy an existing Site Definition and modify it.
- The configuration of this site definitions are defined in XML file which is available in
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\web server extensions\12\TEMPLATE\1033\XML folder.
- In the file system these definitions are available in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\web server extensions\12\TEMPLATE\Site Templates.
- Each of these site definitions consists a XML folder and a Home page (default.aspx).
