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Server side includes are the contents (usually some code) that are inserted into your browser by the web server of the viewing site and can be used repeatedly. Reusability is the noteworthy feature of server side include. Ti use the server side includes the SHTML or ASP page should contain some lines similar to the shown below. This code acts as a placeholder for the server side includes code. During execution this line is replaces with the server side included files from the web server.
<!--#include virtual="/path" -->
Here the /path is the path of the include file.
Server side includes will help you to create dynamic and interactive decision oriented web sites. This can be created using DreamweaverMX. Usually server side includes are used when the web site uses repetitive contents. Thus is more flexible to edit even than the templates or using libraries. For modifying a particular content you only have to change the contents of the included files. This enhances site up gradation processes by reducing a lot of time.
Server side includes are very easy to create and use. They should contain any HTML, HEAD <BODY tags to start and end the execution of the code. The reusable code is placed in between these tags. When confidential data needs to be used or a data base connection is required make sure that the code you uses should not be opened and seen by the users.
After creating a server side include file you could use it in all the web pages that reuses the code in it. To do it add the code line given above to include the include file. When any updating or modification of the include file is carried out, the changes are reflected in all the suites using the include files.
Additional tips regarding the Server Side Includes
- The pages using the server side includes must be.shtml or .asp.
- There must not be any HTML, HEAD or BODY tag inside the include file.
- In the case of asp save the include file using the extension .asp to prevent unauthorized access to the code.
- All the paths used in the include file must be relative to the web site root folder and not relative to the document.
- Nested includes (using an Include within a file) specifies the path relative to the root and not to the document.
After creating a server side include file it could be used in Dreamweaver by selecting the Insert>Server Side Includes and select the include file that you may want to include. Care must be taken to set the path. The path should be relative to the document.
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