code: public static Element getPLFNode(
              Element compViewNode, IPerson person, boolean create, boolean includeChildNodes)
              throws PortalException {
          Document plf = (Document) person.getAttribute(Constants.PLF);
          String ID = compViewNode.getAttribute(Constants.ATT_ID);
          Element plfNode = plf.getElementById(ID);
  
          if (plfNode != null) return plfNode;
  
          // make sure that the root isn't what we are trying to get. Root is not
          // registered with document under an id.
  
          if (compViewNode.getNodeName().equals("layout")) return plf.getDocumentElement();
  
          // if not found then create if indicated.
          if (create == true) return createPlfNodeAndPath(compViewNode, includeChildNodes, person);
          return null;
      }
docs: This method returns the PLF version of the passed in compViewNode. If create is false and a
  node with the same id is not found in the PLF then null is returned. If the create is true
  then an attempt is made to create the node along with any necessary ancestor nodes needed to
  represent the path along the tree.