.html and .shtml --- is there a difference?

[darkmessiah]

Something that's been bugging me is that I've never quite understood the differences between naming html files' extension. So just what is the difference between .html and .shtml files?

[Dusty]

.html and .htm files are just plain HTML. .shtml and, more infrequently, .shtm are HTML files that contain SSI calls. The "s" in the ".shtml" tells the server to parse the file for SSI. Example:

<!--#include virtual="header.txt"-->

is an SSI call. Put that in a file named ".html" and all you get is a strange comment, but rename the file ".shtml" and in its place you see the contents of header.txt.

[lucifer]

SSI = server side include

[JALman]

Originally posted by Dusty
.html and .htm files are just plain HTML. .shtml and, more infrequently, .shtm are HTML files that contain SSI calls. The "s" in the ".shtml" tells the server to parse the file for SSI. Example:

<!--#include virtual="header.txt"-->

is an SSI call. Put that in a file named ".html" and all you get is a strange comment, but rename the file ".shtml" and in its place you see the contents of header.txt.

But anyone using .htaccess (w/the proper module, I think) can make .htm and .html function like its server-parsed brethren:


AddHandler server-parsed .html

So one can use SSI in .html files

[meow]

Yeah, but ".shtml" is like the default extention, i.e. hosts that wouldn't dream of letting you upload an .htaccess but run SSI are most likely to use that extention. So, most people keep using it either it's needed or not.

[moderate scream: when will I get a host that lets me use ALL .htaccess options? I waaaaant it! :p]

[JALman]

Originally posted by meow
[moderate scream: when will I get a host that lets me use ALL .htaccess options? I waaaaant it! :p]

You could always try ProHosting or maybe F2S :D *ducks*....

seriously, ProHosting does allow server-parsed .html files. It's clearly stated in their "unofficial" FAQ.

(It's a link somewhere on the bottom of their free hosting page. I'm too tired to pull up a URL at the moment. And I doubt anyone here would care about Free ProHosting anway.)

[lucifer]

I think meow wants .htaccess fun not just server parsed .html which is a bit lame

[meow]

Yepp. :cool:
Actually mycgiserver was the most liberal I've used. I think I still have an account there, but I haven't used it since they dropped Perl. Directoris promissed .htaccess when they get off donhost, but I wonder if they ever will.

[LastActionHero]

off topic:

Meow : Recently on the boards vincent was asking how should he take a dump of all sql tables to move it from server to server. I think that is a good indication. And I chat with Ben (support guy) sometimes and he says pls be patient we will be moving sooner than you think :)

[meow]

Ahh...the things I can do with half a GIG of .htacess files.:p
Me thanks for the info. Nice but they need to start to sell those accounts per month. Btw do you get cozy with _everyone_?:eek:

[LastActionHero]

Originally posted by meow
Ahh...the things I can do with half a GIG of .htacess files.:p
Me thanks for the info. Nice but they need to start to sell those accounts per month. Btw do you get cozy with _everyone_?:eek:

Cozy? hmm I like making friends specially people from the webmaster community. :cool: Lot's of people on my list who are webmasters/web hosters.