Preparing to install IBM WebSphere Commerce Developer

This section describes how to install and configure IBM WebSphere Commerce Developer. It is intended for developers or system administrators who are using IBM WebSphere Commerce Developer to develop stores and WebSphere Commerce application code.

IBM WebSphere Commerce Developer is the combination of Rational Application Developer and the WebSphere Commerce toolkit. The WebSphere Commerce toolkit provides a test environment, a workspace, and published starter stores in Rational Application Developer. The test environment and workspace are customized for WebSphere Commerce development.

Note: The installation media can contain software that does not match recommended fix pack levels. Ensure you update software to recommended levels. If you will need to install IBM WebSphere Commerce Developer again, you can use a local customized installation package with Rational Application Developer, WebSphere Application Server and WebSphere Commerce at the recommended levels. You can use this package to install IBM WebSphere Commerce Developer at the recommended levels without having to immediately update the software. Using a local customized installation package does not require internet access to download fix packs. For more information, see fixes included in the WebSphere Application Server Customized Installation Package.

If you are developing assets for more than one target application, you might need to configure multiple WebSphere Commerce workspaces. To obtain multiple WebSphere Commerce workspaces, install the WebSphere Commerce toolkit multiple times.

IBM WebSphere Commerce Developer should be installed on a separate machine from a WebSphere Commerce production or staging environment.

The following products and components are packaged with IBM WebSphere Commerce Developer:
  • Rational Application Developer Version 7.5.5.1, or a higher Version 7.5 fix pack
    Note: This version is deprecated. For more information, see Deprecated functionality.
  • WebSphere Commerce Version 7.0 toolkit
  • WebSphere Commerce Version 7.0

    WebSphere Commerce for Windows is included with IBM WebSphere Commerce Developer for testing purposes. If you want to put your site into production using WebSphere Commerce, you must purchase a licensed copy of WebSphere Commerce.

Migration to IBM WebSphere Commerce Developer from the following versions of IBM WebSphere Commerce Developer is supported:
  • IBM WebSphere Commerce Developer Version 6.0
  • IBM WebSphere Commerce Developer Version 5.6.1
Migration from other versions of IBM WebSphere Commerce Developer is not supported.

Coexistence with previous versions of IBM WebSphere Commerce Developer

IBM WebSphere Commerce Developer can coexist on the same machine with the following previous versions of IBM WebSphere Commerce Developer:
  • IBM WebSphere Commerce Developer Version 6.0
  • IBM WebSphere Commerce Developer Version 5.6.1
Coexistence with other versions of IBM WebSphere Commerce Developer Studio is not supported.

When installing IBM WebSphere Commerce Developer in a coexistence environment, no additional steps are required to prepare for or complete an installation of WebSphere Commerce.

Before you install WebSphere Commerce Developer, you must install Rational Application Developer or Rational Software Architect.