Understanding Design Templates

Templates are defined in the dictionary as a pattern or guide used in shaping something. In Domino, that is exactly how a template is used. Templates are design copies of databases and are distinguished by the extension .ntf, which stands for Notes Template Facility. In the simplest terms, a template is a copy of a database's design without data from which databases can be created. Databases also can be linked to templates and can inherit design changes from them. A database can inherit its entire design from a single template file, and various design elements can inherit their designs from different templates. A server task called Design runs on the server (at 1:00 a.m., by default), checking all the databases on the server and refreshing the designs of those databases or database elements that inherit their designs from templates. Inheriting designs from database templates is a powerful feature of Lotus Domino.

Domino ships with two different groups of templates: system templates, such as the Domino directory, and application templates. There are many useful application templates. For example, you can create one or more discussion databases for groups of people to share ideas. This takes only a few minutes, and the database is completely functional. Because these templates have already been through rigorous testing by Lotus, you can save a tremendous amount of time by creating databases based on them.