Adobe® Dreamweaver® CS5 Bible

Chapter 29. Using Library Items and Server-side Includes

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Understanding Dreamweaver Library basics

• Making and inserting Library items

• Managing your Dreamweaver Library

• Dreamweaver Technique: Building a Library Item

• Updating your Web sites with Libraries

• Dreamweaver Technique: Applying and Modifying Library Items

• Using server-side includes

One of the challenges of designing a Web site is ensuring that buttons, copyright notices, and other cross-site features always remain consistent. Fortunately, Dreamweaver offers a useful feature called a Library item that helps you insert a repeating element, such as a navigation bar or a company logo, into every Web page you create. With one command, you can update and maintain Library items efficiently and productively.

In this chapter, you examine the nature and the importance of repeating elements and learn how to effectively use the Dreamweaver Library feature for all your sites. In addition, you see how to use server-side includes — generally known as SSIs — to integrate code and content at both design time and runtime.

Library items are a Dreamweaver-only concept, but if you think you've got it down and just want to put them to use, there are two things you need to know. First, you should know how to create a Library item:

1. Select the part of the page you want to turn into a Library item.

2. Choose Window

   

3. Click the Library category (last icon ...