how to update page content on another page automatically

ketanco · March 18 '08, 11:31 PM (#1)

Hi,
Might be a basic question but, I am a novice designer.
How do you transfer a certain part of code that you write on one page automatically to other pages?
For example, the button links on my home page, I want them to repeat on many pages. But when I change anything about that code at home page, I gotta go to all individual pages and change all of them. How do you automatically update the other pages? As much detail as possible and any examples are appreciated.
Thanks

bfsog · March 19 '08, 05:19 AM (#2)

Hello and welcome to WDF.

There are various ways to achieve this.

I posted a similar response a while back, Including Files

In short

1) Use a .js file. Example: save the below as code.js

Code:

document.write("<p>Hello, I am a paragraph.");

And where you want the outout to appear place this line of code:

HTML Code:

<script src="code.js"></script>

2) PHP includes. Save the code that will be repeated in a separate file (such as menu.html) and if you have a host with PHP enabled have the following code.

PHP Code:


			
include("menu.html");

Other server side languages have similar means.

Read the thread I linked to.

Good luck.

**mlseim** · March 19 '08, 11:31 AM (#3)

You can create another PHP script called "nav.php"

On each of your pages, you have this where you want it to appear:
<?php include("nav.php")?>

Within the script called "nav.php", you test the URL of the
page that is using it, and modify your style for the appropriate
navigation buttons ... this is all done using PHP scripting.

That makes the navigation work properly ... perhaps you want to highlight
the button on the current page that is being viewed?

Your post here is in PHP, but we're not sure of your PHP level (abilities).

ketanco · March 19 '08, 09:38 PM (#4)

Thanks for the answers...
To bfsog: the php worked properly....but to js although I pasted the exact same html code, it did not display the menu items, links etc... it worked as the exaple you wrote though (just the paragraph)

To mlseim: yes I would love to highlight the button on the current page that is viewed.. how can I do that at the same time updating that menu automatically (which I can do now)? my php skill is beginner level.

bfsog · March 20 '08, 07:16 AM (#5)

Hello ketanco,

I am not sure what you have tried, but I made a quick demo and put it online, http://andrewbuchan.co.uk/testing/usingj***ternally/

If you view the source of menu.js there are some tips there.

Good luck.

**mlseim** · March 20 '08, 08:58 AM (#6)

Ketanco ...

Below is a simplified PHP script that would check for the current
page displayed and determine whether or not to make it a link.

You can code any type of CSS (styles) or whatever to highlight your links,
or to highlight the current page.

This script might be called "nav.php":

PHP Code:


			
<?php

// Get the current web page filename
$cur = basename($_SERVER[PHP_SELF]);

if($cur == "index.php"){
echo "<b>HOME</b>";
}
else{
echo "<a href='index.php'>HOME</a>";
}

if($cur == "about.php"){
echo "<b>ABOUT US</b>";
}
else{
echo "<a href='about.php'>ABOUT US</a>";
}

if($cur == "contact.php"){
echo "<b>CONTACT</b>";
}
else{
echo "<a href='contact.php'>CONTACT</a>";
}

?>