Introduction

Libraries, templates, and include files are important ways to make site maintenance easier.  In this project, you will create simple web sites that demonstrate how to use a library, a template, and an include file. Take a moment to review this table so you can begin to understand the differences between the technologies. Use the learning resources to help you complete the project.  

  Library Template Include
used for elements that repeat on multiple pages (like navigation bars or footers) entire page layouts/designs that repeat on multiple pages elements that repeat on multiple pages (like navigation bars or footers)
how When you change the Library item in Dreamweaver, it automatically updates all pages that use that library item. When you change the Dreamweaver Template, it updates all pages that use the template Include files are done with scripting (Dreamweaver not required).  The page includes CODE that points to a file and INCLUDES its code.
updating After the update is made, you have to upload each page that uses the library After the update is made, you have to upload each page that uses the template After you change an include file, you only need to upload it.
comments Dreamweaver only, client sided processing Dreamweaver only, client sided processing Server sided processing.  Your server must support the technology.  We will use PHP.
learning resources learn how to create, insert, and modify a library (and update pages that use the library):

 

 learn how to create a template, define editable areas, apply and detach a template, and change a template (and update pages that use that template):
  • Lynda.com Dreamweaver Essential Training 13. Building Templates (40 minutes)
  • Powers Chapter 13: Preserving Design Integrity with Templates and InContext Editing
  • My old template movies (old version of Dreamweaver):  Creating (2 minutes), Applying (4 minutes) , Updating (3.5 minutes)
 learn how to create an include file, insert the code that points to the include file, and modify and upload an include file:
  • Lynda.com Dreamweaver CS4 Dynamic Development 3. Defining a Site with PHP and MySQL: Using server-side includes (7 minutes)
  • Powers Chapter 12: Reducing Your Workload with PHP Includes

 

What to Do

  1. Create a folder for this project within the 213projects folder. Give it a name that makes sense to you and store all files for this project in this folder.
  2. Create a php files page1.php, page2.php, and page 3.php. For each page, add some text, a title, and a header. If you wish, you may use one of the Dreamweaver CSS layouts. Open page1.php and add navigation (link to each page and to 213portfolio.php).
  3. Move the navigation into an include file and include it on each page. Use Insert > Date to insert the modify date.
  4. Edit the library and include file to see how it updates on the pages.
  5. Open page1.php and add a footer.
  6. Convert the footer to a library item and add it to each page.
  7. Create a new file named template1.php. Add a header, main content, and a footer. This can be very simple (lorum ipsum content or use a CSS layout with content added).
  8. Save the page as a template and set the header and main content as editable regions.
  9. Create 2 more pages based on this template. Edit the content in each page.
  10. Add navigation to the template in a non-editable region, save, and see how this affects the pages that use the template.

Submitting work

Grading - 60 points

Points Requirements
20 Template
20 Library
20 Include file