ArcGIS Server Documentation Available Online - and Constantly Improving

In late 2006, Esri released ArcGIS Server 9.2 with minimal documentation, (particularly for developers). Users needed additional information on methods and best practices for implementing and deploying ArcGIS Server. Since the 9.2 release, we have been making improvements and additions to ArcGIS Server Help online. Samples of some topics that have been added include:

• Extended topics on how to publish ArcGIS services from your desktop using ArcCatalog and ArcMap, for example:

  To learn about types of map applications that can be published and design considerations	See Thinking about maps in Web-enabled GIS applications.
  To learn more about publishing maps, globes, and models that you can author in ArcGIS Desktop	See Publishing resources.
  To learn more about managing ArcGIS Server from ArcCatalog	See An overview of ArcGIS Server administration.
  To learn how to design an effective map cache	See Planning a map cache.

• Developer documentation and examples for customizing and extending ArcGIS Server in both .NET and Java, for example:

  To use the Java framework for building custom Web applications	Start with the topic Developing Web applications with the Web ADF using Java.
  To program against the SOAP XML Web services that can be published with ArcGIS Server	Get started by reading ArcGIS Server SOAP overview for .NET developers or ArcGIS Server SOAP overview for Java developers.
  To add custom tasks to browser-based Web applications using the ArcGIS Server Web Application Development Framework (ADF)	See Using the task framework in .NET or Using the task framework in Java.

• More detailed instructions for ArcGIS Server administrative workflows. For example:

  To learn how to configure a multiple-machine deployment of ArcGIS Server	See Configuring a distributed installation of ArcGIS Server.
  To learn how to administer an ArcGIS Explorer home server	See Setting up and managing your own ArcGIS Explorer home server.

• New methods and developer examples published on the ArcGIS Server Development Blog, where we present tips and best practices that will help you become more effective using and customizing ArcGIS Server.

ArcGIS Server Help online is updated weekly. Access the latest version of the help service at http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisserver/9.2/.