The PHP equivalent of HTML framed websites?

christillis

I'm really sorry to ask, I'm sure it's stupidly simple, but I'd just like the basic principles if anyone can be kind enough to let me know? I have had a quick look, but google hasn't been my friend.

If this is just a stupidly silly question, just say so.

Cheers!

Chris

dagon

Frames are client side, php is server side, so there is no equivalent. Perhaps if you tell us what your trying to achieve we could help.

christillis

Hi Dagon, thank you so much for the prompt reply.

I'm just doing a simple website for my motorcycle race team, I'd like a 4 frame site which I can do with HTML. Left: Menu, Right: Sponsors, Bottom: General info and Top: logo.

So far I can only do it with HTML and perhaps it's just me, but it looks a bit basic. I really like how, for instance, phpbuilder.com's home page looks. Is there an easy place saying how to do this? I only know 'include' scripts for placing the logo, etc. but I want to know how to control the location of different components of the page.

I just need a starter really, if you can help I'd appreciate it!

CoderDan

You are looking for css and html, I think. PHP can make your site dynamic (pulling data from databases, randomising aspects, etc) and interactive (processing submitted information from forms, sending emails, etc) but has nothing directly to do with display.
PHP is ovten used to generate html, javascript and even css, amongst other things (images, pdf's, etc) however the best practice uses of php seperate it from the display (html) as much as possible, just as the best use practice for css is to use an external stylesheet.

dagon

there are sites with free site templates, that may be a good start for you till you grow the skills yourself.

christillis

Hi CoderDan, thanks for clarifying, I have been using PHP for accessing a MySQL database up until now, and seeing that HTML can be 'sprinkled' in PHP, I wondered about the potential. You've cleared it up for me though, thank you - I'll stick with HTML frames for now.

Thanks again dagon, I'll look into a few free templates, good thinking.

Cheers to both of you!

NogDog

As mentioned above, the actual HTML and CSS you output would control how the page is displayed. What you can do, however, that is sort of like using HTML frames is to use PHP to include files that are used for the "boiler plate" stuff (e.g.: header, menu, footer):

<?php
include 'header_file.html';
include 'menu_file.html';
?>
<h1>Main Body</h1>
<p>The part that is unique for this page goes here.</p>
<?php
include 'footer_file.html';
?>

christillis

Hi Nogdog, thanks for your addition, much appreciated. I'll give it a go and show the results here...only if everyone promises not to laugh!