HTML, XHTML, & CSS All-in-One For Dummies®, 2nd Edition

Chapter 3. Introducing Content Management Systems

In This Chapter

• Understanding the need for content management systems

• Previewing typical content management systems

• Installing a content management system

• Adding content to a content management system

• Setting up the navigation structure

• Adding new types of content

• Changing the appearance with themes

• Building a custom theme

If you've ever built a large Web site, you'll probably agree that the process can be improved. Experienced Web developers have discovered the following maxims about larger projects:

• Duplication should be eliminated whenever possible. If you find yourself repeatedly copying the same XHTML code, you have a potential problem. When (not if) that code needs to be changed, you have a lot of copying and pasting to do.

• Content should be separated from layout. You've already heard this statement, but it's taken to a new level when you're building a large site. Separating all content from the layout would be helpful so that you could create the layout only one time and change it in one location.

• Content is really data. At some point, the content of the Web site is really just data. It's important data, to be sure, but the data can — and should — be separated from the layout code, and should be, if possible.

• Content belongs to the user. Developing a Web site for somebody can become a long-term commitment. If the client becomes dependent on the site, he frequently pesters you for changes. It would be helpful if the client could change ...