Layout help...

B-truE

I'd like to create some organized web pages using HTML & PHP.

I want to have include files that will be used on the various pages (e.g. header.inc, footer.inc, styles.css, sidenav.inc ...).

I want to know how to put it all together, so that it builds uniformly, up to standards, and works correctly.

How do I construct the body (index.php) page (tables...) to hold these includes? If the body is a table with fields setup to hold the includes, is it ok to have tables in the include files? In other words, if my header.inc contains a multicell table, is it ok to include that into a table field in the body (index.php) - table in table? Or, what is the best way to set this all up?

An example of each element (index.php, header.inc, sidebar.inc...) would be helpful.

Also, what tool do you like best for constructing styles?

Thanks...

B-truE

Gary_King

A table in a table is alright.

How about you post what you've got, and we can see if it's alright or not? I don't have anything on me right now to use as an example, so it would be best if you could share with us what you've got so far.

mystrymaster

tables within tables is completely normal.

if you are going to have a header across the top and a nav on the left with a footer down the bottom your templates could look something like this

<table>
<tr>
<td colspan='2'><?php include 'header.php' ?></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><?php include 'navigation.php' ?></td>
<td> This i where the content of the page would go</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan='2'><?php include 'footer.php' ?></td>
</tr>
</table>

B-truE

I've noticed that when I use table I have a problem with the other cells getting distorted. That is, when I put my data in the body, it stretches the side nav bar cells.

Also, I noticed an example somewhere that showed the <body> tag as being the last tag in the header.inc -- and the </body> and </html> were the last tags in the footer.inc.

Is it better to have those tags in the main index.php file or in the includes?

Thanks.

B-truE

Moonglobe

it makes no difference whatsoever. i use <body> in header, </body> in footer, but do waht you prefer.

Gary_King

Originally posted by B-truE
I've noticed that when I use table I have a problem with the other cells getting distorted. That is, when I put my data in the body, it stretches the side nav bar cells.

Also, I noticed an example somewhere that showed the <body> tag as being the last tag in the header.inc -- and the </body> and </html> were the last tags in the footer.inc.

Is it better to have those tags in the main index.php file or in the includes?

Thanks.

B-truE

I'd say in the index.php, because it makes it easier to modify the index.php, just in case you needed to put something extra that was even higher or lower than the header or footer (you never know).