Web Design in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition

Introduction to Frames

Frames allow authors to display several HTML documents in the browser window at one time, each in its own scrollable subwindow. Introduced by Netscape Navigator 2.0, frame support was soon added by other popular browsers. The HTML 4.01 and XHTML 1.0 Recommendations include a Frameset DTD for framed documents. XHTML 1.1 omits all frame elements.

Framed documents are typically used as a navigation device in which all of the navigation options stay put in one frame while the linked content documents are displayed in another frame. Because frames may include scrollbars and scroll independently of one another, frames are a method for making sure one page component stays put on the page while the rest of the page is free to scroll.

It is important to note that frame-like functionality (in which one element stays fixed and the rest of the page scrolls) can also be accomplished with CSS using the position: fixed property. Unfortunately, Internet Explorer 6 for Windows and earlier do not support fixed positioning , but there are workarounds as noted in Chapter 25.

Due to reliable browser support, frames are still an option for navigation and other uses. However, they do present certain problems and peculiarities that have led to their currently controversial status. Like most things, frames are neither all good nor all bad. It is your responsibility to be familiar with both sides of the coin so you can help present the best solution for your or your clients’ needs.