CE 7.1 vs NWDS 7.0

[Former Member]

I'm a developer that has been using NW Developer Studio version 7.0 for building Web Dynpro's. My apps are deployed to a NetWeaver 7.0 Portal instance. Now enter a tool called NetWeaver CE 7.1. I understand some of the new features in CE. However, I don't understand if CE is replacing totally the NWDS 7.0 environment. In other words, should I uninstall 7.0 and install CE 7.1? Can I import into CE the Web Dynpro's created with NWDS 7.0? Can I create new Web Dynpro's in CE 7.1 and deploy on a NetWeaver 7.0 environment?

I would like to upgrade my development environment to learn the new features but I'm worry that my current and prior work will not port to the new environment. At times, it seems that the documentation is suggesting using NWDS 7.0 and CE 7.1 side by side depending on the type of application required.

I would like to hear from experience individuals. Thanks.

-Mario

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi Mario,

While most customers find the NW 7.0 platform adequate and fulfill the custom development needs, others such as yourselves are looking for the latest development trends like Java EE 5. The challenge was how do we get these latest platform to customers who are already on NW 7.0, and especially those running ECC 6 already. Our answer to that is the Composition Environment.

With CE, you can continue to run NW 7.0 (for ECC) and at the same time develop newer apps on the latest advancement. We use the term "sidecar" to highlight what would be a typical landscape where CE and NW 7.0 run alongside each other. Applications you developed on CE can have its content "federated" to the EP on NW 7.0. In this way, you can leverage on the latest version of Java, Web Dynpro, Visual Compose, etc without impacting your current landscape. So in short, you just need to install CE as a separate instance alongside NW 7.0 to start deriving its benefits - same goes for the NWDS.

FYI, CE 7.1.1 has in addition to new features in all the components, the BPM and Rules Engine. This in my opinion makes it an even more compelling solution for customers to developed business process based composite applications. But don't take my word for it - test drive it yourself, you can find CE 7.1.1 in the download section.

You might find these useful:

[NW BPM|https://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/sdn/nw-bpm]

[NW BRM|https://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/sdn/nw-rules-management]

[NW CE|https://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/sdn/nw-ce]

Best Regards,

Taib

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Thanks Taib, you answered my question on what the CE environment is and what I need to with it. Plus, now I have an understanding on how it would fit with the rest of the landscape.