How to do bio.php instead of index.php?p=bio.php

[Anonymous]

I'm using php on my site so that I can have a main template (index.php), but I change the open area on my site (for a blog, about me, archives, etc...). I asked a friend why I use the index.php?p=bio.php instead of some friends who simply use bio.php (and achieve the same results) and he said that I was using a "get" line instead of SSI (server side includes). Is he right? What can I do?

Cheers.

[eugene]

Could you give more details. It may be software specific. Private message me.

[dbmasters]

yes, you are using a "get". $_GET to be exact. Is it a problem? I am guessing the index.php page holds the "wrap-around" design and the $_GET["p"] just tells the index.php file to include the contents of bio.php into the main area of the body. Not a big deal, either way works.

So actually, you are using a $_GET to populate a server side include. Therefore, you are using both get and SSI.

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to make the URL for the page a little less messy. I have the main template as index.php. Is it possible to change the bio.php or the index.php code so that instead of having to do:

index.php?p=bio.php

I can simply do this:

bio.php


Cheers,

Mike

[dbmasters]

yes, take index.php apart cut it into a header, footer and main content area. Then make the header and footer into two .php files. header.php and footer.php.

Now, in every page of your site just add <?php include("header.php"); ?> and <?php include("footer.php"); ?> at the top and bottom of each main content area of the page. Then you can change the template by just changing those two files but still retain simpler URLs.

[eugene]

Cute, Dan, cute.

[dbmasters]

Whaddya mean, cute? :? Am I wrong here somewhere, other than making it sound easy than it might really be for a noob?

[eugene]

No, Dan. It is a good answer and totally on the ball. The only problem occurs when a person wants to upgrade or apply a patch ... then they need to do some more work. I LOVE your solution!

[eugene]

LOL. Sorry, Dan, I really couldn't help myself with the "totally on the ball" comment ... :)

[dbmasters]

LOL. Sorry, Dan, I really couldn't help myself with the "totally on the ball" comment ... :)
:D