HTML command to copy a file

They have: 4 posts

Joined: Jul 2001

My apologies for what is probably the stupidest question you've seen but I have looked at every HTML command in my Sybex HTML book and nothing appears to do what I need.

I have a block of text in a separate file that I wish to appear on several pages. Is there no HTML command that will insert the file when the page is built by the browser?

They have: 84 posts

Joined: Jun 2001

HTML can't do that. If you have SSI on your server, that would be your best bet.

If you don't have SSI on your computer, you can always use an external javascript file, and just edit the javascript file, which will update the page, however this should be used as a last resort.

Tyler Cruz

They have: 4 posts

Joined: Jul 2001

Not the answer I wanted but thanks.

Seems like a very basic function. Every editor and programming language I've used (about a dozen) had some way to insert common source.

Suzanne's picture

She has: 5,507 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

HTML is not an editor. It is a MARKUP language. Which simply means that it does formatting. Word, for instance, uses markup on the page, but the program itself is NOT formatting, it is more complex programming and allows you to integrate other files, et cetera, into the page.

Expecting HTML to do the same is like expecting the BOLD function in Word to include files. It's totally beyond the scope and concept of the language.

SSI, server side includes, IS THE THING YOU NEED. It's the programming. It goes *in* the HTML code as a special comment, but it's not performed by the markup language, it is programming done on the server side, like Word does on your computer.

You should be happy to hear that there is a solution, not disappointed that your banana can't drive you to the store.

Suzanne

They have: 84 posts

Joined: Jun 2001

LOL, you go girl!

BTW, I'm on the Island, in Nanaimo, nice to see some people close to where I live here.

They have: 383 posts

Joined: Sep 2000

Here are a couple URL's to help you get started with SSI.

http://mkruse.netexpress.net/info/ssi/
http://httpd.apache.org/docs/mod/mod_include.html

Good luck...

They have: 4 posts

Joined: Jul 2001

Suzanne - You seem to be personally offended. My apologies. Smiling

Its been years since I used GML but I'm pretty sure that imbedding files was supported so I don't accept "Markup Language" as a defense. In any case, imbedding would be a useful feature (at least to me) and I don't see much difference between text and graphics which HTML does imbed.

They have: 84 posts

Joined: Jun 2001

Jerry, you're really setting yourself up here..

They have: 4 posts

Joined: Jul 2001

m0dulus -

May I recap?

1) I offered an opinion about HTML. Right or wrong, I don't think it was impolite or offensive.

2) I received a critical reply that, in my opinion, was rude and excessive.

3) Nevertheless I apologized, but defended my position, politely I think.

Now you seem to be warning me of some future retaliation. I take it this is one of those boards dominated by a few prima donnas.

I appreciate the help and wish you all well but I'm sure I can find a friendlier board.

They have: 383 posts

Joined: Sep 2000

Jerry,

Welcome to TWF. I don't think either of their posts were meant to be critical or rude. TWF is a very friendly community and we're always available for questions and welcome new members. Most of us have a slight edge of sarcasm, which you'll get used to overtime Smiling

Welcome to TWF! I hope you stick around...

detox's picture

They have: 571 posts

Joined: Feb 2001

OK EVERYONE ...... PUT THE GUNS DOWN!!!!!

jerryctx
I hope you weren't too offended. Sarcasm aside, i know that nobody meant any offense. We are pretty friendly around here, i mean, people have accepted me and I am an Australian!! So they are a pretty good bunch.

Mark Hensler's picture

He has: 4,048 posts

Joined: Aug 2000

"Won't you be my neighbor?"
Wink

They have: 105 posts

Joined: Jun 2001

The point is: there is no tag like that, you may argue as mutch as you want, but it ain't gonna be there. Maybe if you talk to Microsoft an the W3C, there will (I highly doubt that).

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