TIP 17: Understanding the Site File Structure

TIP 17: Understanding the Site File Structure

GoLive has a specific way of organizing directories so that every item can be tracked via the built-in site-management tools. Let's define what each folder is called and what each one does.

In this example, the Web site being built is called magazine. All the documents that make up the site, both those that get uploaded to the server and those that stay on the local computer, are housed inside an enclosing folder named magazine.

Inside the magazine folder you will find:

• The Root folder (named web-content). These are the HTML pages, images, multimedia files, and so on that make up your Web site. These items get uploaded to your server.

• The Data folder (named web-data). Inside are items you work with to create your Web site such as Components, Stationeries, Templates, Smart Objects, InDesign Packages, Site Trash, and so forth. These items do not get uploaded to the server. They are for you to work with locally on your computer.

• The Settings folder (named web-settings). GoLive stores settings files in this folder. There is no need for you to access them, though. GoLive will use them when necessary.

• The Site file (magazine.site). This is the workhorse of GoLive. It is the brain that keeps track of all the things in all the folders listed previously. It manages your links, your URLs, your File Transfer Protocol (FTP) settings, your site colors; it also tracks errors and does much more. When you open the Site file, it becomes the Site Window.

Double-click the Site file, and it opens up as the Site window. The contents of the Root folder (web-content) are listed in the left pane under Files. The contents of the Data folder (web-data) are listed in the right pane (Figure 17).

Figure 17. The enclosing folder holds the web-content, web-data, and web-settings folders, as well as the Site file. The Site file, when opened, shows a window separated into two panes and lists the items inside the web-content (left side) and web-data (right side) folders.

The Site File Backup

The Site file backup is created when you open a site. It is, very simply, a backup of the Site file. When you close the site, a back-up is automatically created. We suggest that you open the Site file from the original whenever possible. If the original has become corrupt, then try the backup.