Testing artifacts on a server

You can use the workbench to test one of more application artifacts on a server.

About this task

To test artifacts on a server:

Procedure

  1. In the Enterprise Explorer view from the Java™ EE perspective, expand the project that contains the file you want to test.
  2. Right-click the artifact that you want to test. Examples of artifacts include the Web project or a file within the Web project (such as a JSP file, servlet, or HTML file), or an enterprise bean.
  3. Select Run As > Run on Server. The Server selection wizard appears.
  4. Use the radio buttons to specify how you want to select the server. Select from the following options:
    • Choose an existing server: This option uses an existing server that is defined in your workbench.
    • Manually define a server: This option creates a new server.
  5. Under the Select the server that you want to use list, select a server that you want to run your application. The list of available servers, under the Select the server that you want to use list, depends on the Java EE specification level you defined for the artifact and the supported servers on this workbench.
  6. Optional: Click Next to configure extra settings, such as configuring settings specific to the server, and adding or removing projects that are configured on the server.
  7. Click Finish. The server tools automatically complete the following tasks for you:
    • Creates the server and adds it to the Servers View.
    • Adds your project to the server.
    • Starts the server. (Depending on the server settings, starting the server might take time.)
    • If the Automatically publish when starting servers check box on the Server preferences page (Window > Preferences > Server > Launching) is selected, the workbench checks to see if your project and files on the server are synchronized. If they are not, the project and the files are automatically updated when the server is restarted.
    • Depending on the artifact you are testing, the output of running your artifact might display in the Console view or in a Web browser that automatically opens.