In dreamweaver what is better templates or SSI (Server side includes) and why?

[hellraiser]

Suppose I have a template page (.dwt) and I want to include SSI (server side includes) elements in the same page cause I will add new links in it in the future can/should I do it as I want all the pages which are used to get updated automatically just by uploading 1 file, is it advisable or is there any other easier method?

[ryanbutler]

If you just keeping links consistent throughout, use a SSI throughout each page in your site. It'll be easier to maintain and change in a moments notice.

[mynetworksolut]

I had a painful experience with .DWT file (Dreamweaver template) because everytime you change a little thing on 1 page, it automatically updates all other pages. And then if you do FTP to a virtual server, you have to upload all those pages; it takes lots of time if you have about 100 pages. So I have another solution for you.

Don't use .DWT any more. make 2 new files called header.php, footer.php and then on all other pages such as index.php, aboutus.php, contactus.php..., you use include or require function to include header.php and footer.php. It makes your life much easier for future maintenance.

For example, if you want to add new button or link to the header of all 100 pages, you only need to change in 1 and only 1 file which is header.php, then you upload only that header.php file on virtual server. Now all 100 pages will have the same effect.
Hope that helps.

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