Introduction to SharePoint On-Prem
Architecture & Setup
Site Management
Lists & Libraries
Pages & Content
Permissions & Security
Search & Navigation
Automation & Workflows
Integration & Extensibility
Development & Customization
Administration & Governance
Migration & Upgrades
Compliance & Records Management
Feature Framework & WSPs
In SharePoint on-premises development, the Feature Framework and Web Solution Packages (WSPs) are the core tools used to package, deploy, and manage customizations. They provide a structured way for developers to deliver their solutions to a SharePoint environment.
Web Solution Packages (WSPs)
A Web Solution Package (wsp) is a compressed file that contains all the necessary components of a SharePoint solution. Think of it as a .zip file for SharePoint. It can contain code files, images, pages, list definitions, and any other files required for your customization. This single file is what an administrator uploads and deploys to the SharePoint farm. The WSP bundles everything together to ensure that all parts of the solution are deployed in the correct locations on the server.
The Feature Framework
The Feature Framework is the underlying system that allows developers and administrators to control what customizations are active on a specific site. A WSP file can contain one or more Features. A Feature is a self-contained unit of functionality. For example, a single WSP might contain a Feature to add a custom document library template and another Feature to add a new company news web part. An administrator can then choose to activate only the features they need on a given site. This modular approach makes customizations easy to manage and provides flexibility.
The Deployment Process
The typical deployment process involves a developer creating a WSP file with their Features. An administrator then uploads the WSP to the farm’s solution store. Finally, the administrator goes to the specific sites where the new functionality is needed and activates the relevant Feature.
Table of Contents
