Server Side Includes
Server Side Includes (SSI) is a simple server-side scripting language used to dynamically include content from one file into another on a web server before the page is sent to the client's browser. It allows web developers to insert common elements like headers, footers, or navigation menus across multiple pages without duplicating code. SSI directives are embedded in HTML files and processed by the web server, typically using the .shtml file extension.
Developers should learn SSI for maintaining static websites where they need to reuse content across pages without a full backend framework, as it reduces code duplication and simplifies updates. It's particularly useful for small to medium-sized sites, legacy systems, or environments with limited server-side capabilities, such as basic Apache or Nginx configurations. However, for modern dynamic applications, more advanced templating systems or server-side languages are generally preferred.