Website Template Methods

[The Hick Man]

Hi there guys,
I have so far seen 4 main ways of creating standard template type documents for websites and would like people’s opinions on which is the best please…
These are the ones I have found
1) Use template code i.e. like in dreamweaver that is attached to pages and is unchangeable (except editable regions.
2) Have a default header and footer page and use php includes to change body content
3) Use css style sheet to be included by every page and add divs on top where necessary
4) Have one page that has a table cell or iframe that includes all other pages – depending on the link clicked
I realize some of these are v similar and can have the desired effect but I would like to know people’s opinions and what they think the advantages and disadvantages are.
Many Thanks in advance
Brian

[ukgeoff]

Well I can tell you what I do.

I have worked out my own template system that uses a main wrapper containing, once included, header, navigation, right-panel and footer divs.

The content div is part of the main template. The other areas are included using the php include function. That way if any of these change, the change is immediately seen site wide.

CSS is used to take care of position and the look-n-feel.

The master template and the include files all use validated structured markup.