ggordon
Programmer
- Sep 15, 2003
- 45
I have a reasonable understanding of XML (on the surface), as well as ASP (on the surface).
What I am trying to do is this.
I want to begin developing websites (and re-developing exisiting websites) where I can separate my page content (information) .. from the layout and template design of the page.
Reason: To more easily comply with Section 508 Accessibility standards, hopefully prepare these websites so their content can be delivered to PDA's, Cell Phones, etc. - without having to re-create the content all over again.
I realize, well at least I think .. I can easily separate the content from the layout of the page, by using INCLUDE statements (as in ASP, PHP, etc.). This way I can place the content in one file (per section) and simply pull it into the web page that I need (for what ever the purpose is) using an INCLUDE .. and keep the content separated from the layout.
My question is ...
Should I use XML and create all the text for all the content (including images, etc.) that will be pulled into the webpages ... or should I just use the INCLUDE statement method.
Being that one of the sites is for a UNIVERSITY (who may .. in the future want to share the page content with various applications, other Universities, etc.) .. I wasn't sure which path I should be going down.
Some of my questions are:
1) Is it harder to create the content in XML?
2) Are there benefits of one over the other?
3) Is XML going to give me more advantages in the long run?
4) Is there a program that can assist me with taking text, images, etc. .. and generate the XML files (and related files) that might be necessary?
5) Has anyone done this .. and be willing to help explain to me .. how to best do this?
6) Should I be using a Database instead of flat text files to hold the content .. if I am using INCLUDE statements?
7) Is it necessary for me to become an XML expert in order to work with XML .. to accomplish what I am describing?
Am I missing anything?
I would sincerely appreciate any advise, guideance, etc. that someone might be able to share.
Thanks,
Gary
What I am trying to do is this.
I want to begin developing websites (and re-developing exisiting websites) where I can separate my page content (information) .. from the layout and template design of the page.
Reason: To more easily comply with Section 508 Accessibility standards, hopefully prepare these websites so their content can be delivered to PDA's, Cell Phones, etc. - without having to re-create the content all over again.
I realize, well at least I think .. I can easily separate the content from the layout of the page, by using INCLUDE statements (as in ASP, PHP, etc.). This way I can place the content in one file (per section) and simply pull it into the web page that I need (for what ever the purpose is) using an INCLUDE .. and keep the content separated from the layout.
My question is ...
Should I use XML and create all the text for all the content (including images, etc.) that will be pulled into the webpages ... or should I just use the INCLUDE statement method.
Being that one of the sites is for a UNIVERSITY (who may .. in the future want to share the page content with various applications, other Universities, etc.) .. I wasn't sure which path I should be going down.
Some of my questions are:
1) Is it harder to create the content in XML?
2) Are there benefits of one over the other?
3) Is XML going to give me more advantages in the long run?
4) Is there a program that can assist me with taking text, images, etc. .. and generate the XML files (and related files) that might be necessary?
5) Has anyone done this .. and be willing to help explain to me .. how to best do this?
6) Should I be using a Database instead of flat text files to hold the content .. if I am using INCLUDE statements?
7) Is it necessary for me to become an XML expert in order to work with XML .. to accomplish what I am describing?
Am I missing anything?
I would sincerely appreciate any advise, guideance, etc. that someone might be able to share.
Thanks,
Gary