Framework
The Commerce Server Business Desk Framework provides the environment in which Business Desk modules are executed. The following list describes the various aspects of this environment:
The Framework provides mechanisms through which one module can discover and enumerate the other modules configured in a particular instance of Business Desk.
The Framework includes a set of sophisticated data manipulation controls, most of which are implemented as HTML Components (HTCs). HTCs are a form of DHTML behaviors supported in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5. These components provide consistent display, selection, and modification of data among various Business Desk modules, greatly enhancing the sense that Business Desk and its modules are operating as a single, integrated application. List management and data validation are examples of the standardized services provided by these components.
The Framework provides a "security" mechanism through which a particular user will not have specific modules displayed in the navigation pane, thereby restricting them from performing the functions available in those modules. More specifically, the security itself is provided by Internet Information Services (IIS) and Access Control Lists (ACLs), and the Framework displays or conceals modules based on those security settings. Whenever a 404 (file not found) or 401 (access) error occurs, a custom error page is displayed.
The Framework provides the visual environment in which modules are displayed. This environment includes several standard elements such as the navigation pane, the content pane, page title, taskbar, and a status bar.
The Framework provides standard mechanisms for navigation between modules and within a module. The navigation pane provides for navigation between different modules, allowing the user to choose a new module in which to work. The task buttons provide for navigation between the various pages comprising a given module. When a Business Desk edit page is displayed, the navigation pane is hidden, forcing the user to complete or cancel the edit action before leaving the module. Hiding the navigation pane also provides a larger area in which the edit page can be displayed.