Workbench is an integrated development environment (IDE)
that process developers, form developers, and form authors use to
model, create, or automate processes and forms. Workbench includes
the tools necessary for designing Guides (deprecated), PDF forms,
process flows, and output templates in a collaborative environment.
The Eclipse-based development environment can also include Flash
Builder, which developers can use to develop RIAs that facilitate end-user
participation in business processes. With Flex components, developers can
extend the functionality of Guides (deprecated) and customize Workspace.
Note: Flash Builder is a separate development tool
which is licensed with Foundation.
Developers use Workbench to manage the resources and services
that processes and forms use. The forms can be rendered by using
several client technologies such as PDF, HTML, and Flash. Business
analysts and process developers use Workbench to design and deploy
business processes that leverage the LiveCycle modules.
For file management in a distributed development environment,
Workbench uses the concept of an application check-in and checkout.
In LiveCycle, an application is a container for storing assets
that are required for implementing a LiveCycle solution. Examples
of assets are form designs, fragments, images, processes, event
types, DDX files, Guides (deprecated), HTML pages, and SWF files.
The permissions system is enhanced for application assets and usability changes
to enhance developer productivity.
Forms and process flows are deployed to and managed by the LiveCycle
server. Developers export forms, processes, and related assets such
as images, DDX schemas, and XML schemas as a LiveCycle archive (DSA)
file. The DSA is then deployed as an application to the LiveCycle
server.
