How to Update Multiple Web Pages Using PHP

PHP can be used to create common content in multiple pages in much the same way as the SSI Virtual Include.

Pros:

1. Server-side is safer than client-side (it doesn't rely on any browser settings).
2. Updates are very fast and easy.

Cons:

1. Slight performance overhead at the server end (every PHP page needs to be processed by the server before it is served to the user).
2. You usually need to use a special extension for web pages, e.g. .php.
3. The server must support PHP (most servers do).

Create a plain text document for the common content and save it in a folder which is accessible from your whole website. You may want to make a special folder for this type of file, e.g. /includes/. Your file might look like this (we'll call this file copyright.html):

<!-- Begin Copyright -->
<span style='color:blue;'>© Copyright MyName 2004</span>
<!-- End Copyright -->

In each page, add the following code:

<?php require("/includes/copyright.html"); ?>