WHAT IS SSI?

WHAT IS SSI?
You may have noticed as you browse this site, that our pages end with the shtml extension instead of the more familiar html or htm. This is because we use Server Side Includes (SSI). Used properly, the SSI can help make your pages more responsive and can even help make maintaining your site an easier task.
Put simply, SSI is sort of like using your HTML server as a cut and paste editor. Here is basically what happens when your server handles a request for an SSI document.
The server reads the document and parses (techie word for chops up and looks for special instructions) it for directives. (another techie word for directions!)
Follows the instructions that it finds and merges their results into creating a finished document.
The document is then sent to the client browser.
SSI also seems to be one of the better kept secrets around. In any web related book, they seem to get about 1 page for every 200 pages on CGI and FORMS. Well, I've never been one to leave you in the dark when it comes to being a better webmaster

By Srirajeth