Slide deck from the Developer 101 Session: Anatomy of a SharePoint Solution. This deck accompanied the session that discussed why it's important to use a solution deployment package (wsp) with SharePoint and the basic constructs of a the Solution Manifest File.

8. So what is a SharePoint
Solution?

9. So what is a SharePoint
Solution?

10. So what is a SharePoint
Solution?
-It’s a Cabinet File with the extension .WSP

11. So what is a SharePoint
Solution?
-It’s a Cabinet File with the extension .WSP
-It installs STUFF in the hive

12. So what is a SharePoint
Solution?
-It’s a Cabinet File with the extension .WSP
-It installs STUFF in the hive
-it can install assemblies in the bin fldr or gac

13. So what is a SharePoint
Solution?
-It’s a Cabinet File with the extension .WSP
-It installs STUFF in the hive
-it can install assemblies in the bin fldr or gac
-It can install feature definitions/site definitions

14. So what is a SharePoint
Solution?
-It’s a Cabinet File with the extension .WSP
-It installs STUFF in the hive
-it can install assemblies in the bin fldr or gac
-It can install feature definitions/site definitions
-It can install class resources

15. So what is a SharePoint
Solution?
-It’s a Cabinet File with the extension .WSP
-It installs STUFF in the hive
-it can install assemblies in the bin fldr or gac
-It can install feature definitions/site definitions
-It can install class resources
-It can install web part packages

16. So what is a SharePoint
Solution?
-It’s a Cabinet File with the extension .WSP
-It installs STUFF in the hive
-it can install assemblies in the bin fldr or gac
-It can install feature definitions/site definitions
-It can install class resources
-It can install web part packages
zomg! then why doesn’t everyone use it?

24. So What Just
Happened?

25. So What Just
Happened?
Solution was added to farm (Via StsAdm in this case)
Manifest Examined, Features extracted to:
[Hive]TemplateFeatures[foo]

26. So What Just
Happened?
Solution was added to farm (Via StsAdm in this case)
Manifest Examined, Features extracted to:
[Hive]TemplateFeatures[foo]
Solution Gets Deployed via timer jobs - global items
go into hive, items for apps provisioned out to wfes
etc.

27. So What Just
Happened?
Solution was added to farm (Via StsAdm in this case)
Manifest Examined, Features extracted to:
[Hive]TemplateFeatures[foo]
Solution Gets Deployed via timer jobs - global items
go into hive, items for apps provisioned out to wfes
etc.
Features then available and activating them provisions
the items specified in the feature elements file.

28. The Anatomy of a Solution
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<Solution SolutionId="ee89a307-dc72-4622-9f81-a424ff247c1f"
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<Assemblies>
<Assembly Location="WSP1.dll" DeploymentTarget="GlobalAssemblyCache" />
</Assemblies>
<TemplateFiles>
<TemplateFile Location="LAYOUTSMYfirstSolutionSampleService.asmx" />
</TemplateFiles>
</Solution>

29. The Anatomy of a Solution
Manifest.xml
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<Solution SolutionId="ee89a307-dc72-4622-9f81-a424ff247c1f"
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<Assemblies>
<Assembly Location="WSP1.dll" DeploymentTarget="GlobalAssemblyCache" />
</Assemblies>
<TemplateFiles>
<TemplateFile Location="LAYOUTSMYfirstSolutionSampleService.asmx" />
</TemplateFiles>
</Solution>

30. The Anatomy of a Solution
Manifest.xml
Set’s the solution ID which is a GUID
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<Solution SolutionId="ee89a307-dc72-4622-9f81-a424ff247c1f"
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<Assemblies>
<Assembly Location="WSP1.dll" DeploymentTarget="GlobalAssemblyCache" />
</Assemblies>
<TemplateFiles>
<TemplateFile Location="LAYOUTSMYfirstSolutionSampleService.asmx" />
</TemplateFiles>
</Solution>

31. The Anatomy of a Solution
Manifest.xml
Set’s the solution ID which is a GUID
Installs Assemblies, GAC or Local
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<Solution SolutionId="ee89a307-dc72-4622-9f81-a424ff247c1f"
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<Assemblies>
<Assembly Location="WSP1.dll" DeploymentTarget="GlobalAssemblyCache" />
</Assemblies>
<TemplateFiles>
<TemplateFile Location="LAYOUTSMYfirstSolutionSampleService.asmx" />
</TemplateFiles>
</Solution>

32. The Anatomy of a Solution
Manifest.xml
Set’s the solution ID which is a GUID
Installs Assemblies, GAC or Local
Installs HIve files
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<Solution SolutionId="ee89a307-dc72-4622-9f81-a424ff247c1f"
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<Assemblies>
<Assembly Location="WSP1.dll" DeploymentTarget="GlobalAssemblyCache" />
</Assemblies>
<TemplateFiles>
<TemplateFile Location="LAYOUTSMYfirstSolutionSampleService.asmx" />
</TemplateFiles>
</Solution>

33. The Anatomy of a Solution
Manifest.xml
Set’s the solution ID which is a GUID
Installs Assemblies, GAC or Local
Installs HIve files
includes feature.xml feature defs
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<Solution SolutionId="ee89a307-dc72-4622-9f81-a424ff247c1f"
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<Assemblies>
<Assembly Location="WSP1.dll" DeploymentTarget="GlobalAssemblyCache" />
</Assemblies>
<TemplateFiles>
<TemplateFile Location="LAYOUTSMYfirstSolutionSampleService.asmx" />
</TemplateFiles>
</Solution>

34. The Anatomy of a Solution
Manifest.xml
Set’s the solution ID which is a GUID
Installs Assemblies, GAC or Local
Installs HIve files
includes feature.xml feature defs
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<Solution SolutionId="ee89a307-dc72-4622-9f81-a424ff247c1f"
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
CAML!? CAML! YUK!
<Assemblies>
<Assembly Location="WSP1.dll" DeploymentTarget="GlobalAssemblyCache" />
</Assemblies>
<TemplateFiles>
<TemplateFile Location="LAYOUTSMYfirstSolutionSampleService.asmx" />
</TemplateFiles>
</Solution>

35. bing it FTW!

36. Getting Intellisense in VS makes it easy-peasy-
lemon-squeezy!

37. FeatureManifest
<FeatureManifests>
<!--This Reference is relative to the Location in YOUR CAB!! -->
<FeatureManifest Location="MyFirstFeatureFeature.xml"/>
<FeatureManifest Location="MySecondFeatureFeature.xml"/>
</FeatureManifests>

38. FeatureManifest
Includes Child Feature Manifest CAML Files
<FeatureManifests>
<!--This Reference is relative to the Location in YOUR CAB!! -->
<FeatureManifest Location="MyFirstFeatureFeature.xml"/>
<FeatureManifest Location="MySecondFeatureFeature.xml"/>
</FeatureManifests>

39. FeatureManifest
Includes Child Feature Manifest CAML Files
Location is relative to root of your solution
CAbinet file
<FeatureManifests>
<!--This Reference is relative to the Location in YOUR CAB!! -->
<FeatureManifest Location="MyFirstFeatureFeature.xml"/>
<FeatureManifest Location="MySecondFeatureFeature.xml"/>
</FeatureManifests>

40. FeatureManifest
Includes Child Feature Manifest CAML Files
Location is relative to root of your solution
CAbinet file
basically copies the manifest to hive and includes
the files defined in the feature caml (more later..)
<FeatureManifests>
<!--This Reference is relative to the Location in YOUR CAB!! -->
<FeatureManifest Location="MyFirstFeatureFeature.xml"/>
<FeatureManifest Location="MySecondFeatureFeature.xml"/>
</FeatureManifests>

41. The Assemblies Region
Processes when solution is deployed
adds your assemblies to local bin or GAC
allows you to specify safe control types

42. The
ApplicationResources

43. The
ApplicationResources
Again - ‘Cause it’s in the Manifest it processes
when solution is deployed

44. The
ApplicationResources
Again - ‘Cause it’s in the Manifest it processes
when solution is deployed
Places files in the Resources DIR of the root IIS
folder of deployed web applications

45. The TemplateFiles Region
Do I need to mention it again?
Copies Files into the HIVE Under the
Template directory

46. The RootFiles Region

47. The RootFiles Region
Copies files to a location off the root HIVE

48. The RootFiles Region
Copies files to a location off the root HIVE
Really the best place to put global web
services, etc.

49. DwpFiles Region
<DwpFiles>
<DwpFile Location="MyNonFeatureWebPart.webpart" />
</DwpFiles>

50. DwpFiles Region
Copies Featureless WebPart Definitions to
Web Applications (Huh?)
<DwpFiles>
<DwpFile Location="MyNonFeatureWebPart.webpart" />
</DwpFiles>

51. DwpFiles Region
Copies Featureless WebPart Definitions to
Web Applications (Huh?)
Supports either v2 (.DWP) or V3 (.webpart)
definition files
<DwpFiles>
<DwpFile Location="MyNonFeatureWebPart.webpart" />
</DwpFiles>

52. Quick-Tip Manifest
Location Summary
Assemblies
The parameter DeploymentTarget determines whether to deploy the assembly to the GAC or to a directory (WebApplication).
With the GAC option assemblies are copied to C:WINDOWSassembly. With the WebApplication option the files are copied to
C:InetpubwwwrootwssVirtualDirectories80bin.
Features: C:Program FilesCommon FilesMicrosoft Sharedweb server extensions12TEMPLATEFEATURES
TemplateFiles: C:Program FilesCommon FilesMicrosoft Sharedweb server extensions12TEMPLATE
Application Resources: C:InetpubwwwrootwssVirtualDirectories{virtual app port}resources
Global resources: C:Program FilesCommon FilesMicrosoft Sharedweb server extensions12TEMPLATEFEATURES
Web Parts: C:InetpubwwwrootwssVirtualDirectories80wpcatalog
Site definitions
The SiteDefinitionManifests list contains descriptions of all site definition folders. The Location attribute defines the name of the
folder that contains the site definition. This folder contains the ONET.xml and other components of the site definition.
Target Folder: C:Program FilesCommon FilesMicrosoft Sharedweb server extensions12TEMPLATESiteTemplates

53. The Feature Files
if you thought the manifest was complicated...

54. The real meat of a feature

55. The real meat of a feature
The Element Manifest - or more aptly put the
SharePoint CAML definitions of what the
feature does.
<ElementManifests>
<ElementManifest Location="MySiteColumns.xml"/>
<ElementManifest Location="MyContentTypes.xml"/>
<ElementManifest Location="MyListDefs.xml"/>
<ElementManifest Location="MyListInstances.xml"/>
<ElementManifest Location="ICouldGoOnandOn.xml"/>
</ElementManifests>

56. The basic CAML
elements

57. The basic CAML
elements
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>

58. The basic CAML
elements
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<Elements xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">

59. The basic CAML
elements
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<Elements xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<ContentType></ContentType>

60. The basic CAML
elements
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<Elements xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<ContentType></ContentType>
<ContentTypeBinding/>

61. The basic CAML
elements
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<Elements xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<ContentType></ContentType>
<ContentTypeBinding/>
<HideCustomAction/>

62. The basic CAML
elements
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<Elements xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<ContentType></ContentType>
<ContentTypeBinding/>
<HideCustomAction/>
<Control></Control>

63. The basic CAML
elements
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<Elements xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<ContentType></ContentType>
<ContentTypeBinding/>
<HideCustomAction/>
<Control></Control>
<CustomAction></CustomAction>

64. The basic CAML
elements
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<Elements xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<ContentType></ContentType>
<ContentTypeBinding/>
<HideCustomAction/>
<Control></Control>
<CustomAction></CustomAction>
<CustomActionGroup></CustomActionGroup>

65. The basic CAML
elements
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<Elements xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<ContentType></ContentType>
<ContentTypeBinding/>
<HideCustomAction/>
<Control></Control>
<CustomAction></CustomAction>
<CustomActionGroup></CustomActionGroup>
<DocumentConverter/>

66. The basic CAML
elements
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<Elements xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<ContentType></ContentType>
<ContentTypeBinding/>
<HideCustomAction/>
<Control></Control>
<CustomAction></CustomAction>
<CustomActionGroup></CustomActionGroup>
<DocumentConverter/>
<FeatureSiteTemplateAssociation></FeatureSiteTemplateAssociation>

67. The basic CAML
elements
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<Elements xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<ContentType></ContentType>
<ContentTypeBinding/>
<HideCustomAction/>
<Control></Control>
<CustomAction></CustomAction>
<CustomActionGroup></CustomActionGroup>
<DocumentConverter/>
<FeatureSiteTemplateAssociation></FeatureSiteTemplateAssociation>
<Field></Field>

68. The basic CAML
elements
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<Elements xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<ContentType></ContentType>
<ContentTypeBinding/>
<HideCustomAction/>
<Control></Control>
<CustomAction></CustomAction>
<CustomActionGroup></CustomActionGroup>
<DocumentConverter/>
<FeatureSiteTemplateAssociation></FeatureSiteTemplateAssociation>
<Field></Field>
<ListInstance></ListInstance>

69. The basic CAML
elements
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<Elements xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<ContentType></ContentType>
<ContentTypeBinding/>
<HideCustomAction/>
<Control></Control>
<CustomAction></CustomAction>
<CustomActionGroup></CustomActionGroup>
<DocumentConverter/>
<FeatureSiteTemplateAssociation></FeatureSiteTemplateAssociation>
<Field></Field>
<ListInstance></ListInstance>
<ListTemplate></ListTemplate>

70. The basic CAML
elements
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<Elements xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<ContentType></ContentType>
<ContentTypeBinding/>
<HideCustomAction/>
<Control></Control>
<CustomAction></CustomAction>
<CustomActionGroup></CustomActionGroup>
<DocumentConverter/>
<FeatureSiteTemplateAssociation></FeatureSiteTemplateAssociation>
<Field></Field>
<ListInstance></ListInstance>
<ListTemplate></ListTemplate>
<Module></Module>

71. The basic CAML
elements
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<Elements xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<ContentType></ContentType>
<ContentTypeBinding/>
<HideCustomAction/>
<Control></Control>
<CustomAction></CustomAction>
<CustomActionGroup></CustomActionGroup>
<DocumentConverter/>
<FeatureSiteTemplateAssociation></FeatureSiteTemplateAssociation>
<Field></Field>
<ListInstance></ListInstance>
<ListTemplate></ListTemplate>
<Module></Module>
<Receivers></Receivers>

72. The basic CAML
elements
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<Elements xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<ContentType></ContentType>
<ContentTypeBinding/>
<HideCustomAction/>
<Control></Control>
<CustomAction></CustomAction>
<CustomActionGroup></CustomActionGroup>
<DocumentConverter/>
<FeatureSiteTemplateAssociation></FeatureSiteTemplateAssociation>
<Field></Field>
<ListInstance></ListInstance>
<ListTemplate></ListTemplate>
<Module></Module>
<Receivers></Receivers>
<UserMigrator/>

73. The basic CAML
elements
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<Elements xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<ContentType></ContentType>
<ContentTypeBinding/>
<HideCustomAction/>
<Control></Control>
<CustomAction></CustomAction>
<CustomActionGroup></CustomActionGroup>
<DocumentConverter/>
<FeatureSiteTemplateAssociation></FeatureSiteTemplateAssociation>
<Field></Field>
<ListInstance></ListInstance>
<ListTemplate></ListTemplate>
<Module></Module>
<Receivers></Receivers>
<UserMigrator/>
<Workflow></Workflow>

74. The basic CAML
elements
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<Elements xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
<ContentType></ContentType>
<ContentTypeBinding/>
<HideCustomAction/>
<Control></Control>
<CustomAction></CustomAction>
<CustomActionGroup></CustomActionGroup>
<DocumentConverter/>
<FeatureSiteTemplateAssociation></FeatureSiteTemplateAssociation>
<Field></Field>
<ListInstance></ListInstance>
<ListTemplate></ListTemplate>
<Module></Module>
<Receivers></Receivers>
<UserMigrator/>
<Workflow></Workflow>
</Elements>

75. Now that I’ve pulled
out your fingernails...

76. Now that I’ve pulled
out your fingernails...
If there’s
anyone left
in the room

77. Now that I’ve pulled
out your fingernails...
If there’s
anyone left
in the room
Let’s look at the ways to reduce the level of
effort!

78. DEMO

79. Thanks for spending your
valuable Saturday with us!
http://gscottsingleton.com
scott@gscottsingleton.com
twitter: @scottsingleton

80. http://shareclave.org