Are server side includes still the best way to load navigation bars?

Question

Been awhile since I did web dev.

I used SSI to load my nav bars on each page so I would only have to make a change once. Is this still a standard or is there a better way now?

I'm using Dreamweaver MX.

Answer 1

SSI are the good becuase it loads before the page is sent it to the users computer.

Frames are not a good idea.

There is only one disadvantage though you cannot change color or image for a certain link if you want that link to change color when active but that can be over come by using if statements if that page then this link style or image.

I really don't like dreamweaver though. I write code by hand and use other tools for little help. Using dreamweaver bulks your html size

Hope it helped

Answer 2

I use PHP files (just change .shtml to .php) and the include statements in there. The include statement is a little bit different, but the PHP seems to load significantly faster than the SSI for me.

But using an include statement is going to be the best way.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Yes, you can use SSI to load your navbars and if you want it to change colors, you can use CSS. It works.