What is server-side include (SSI)? - Definition from Whatis.com

Definition

server-side include (SSI)

A server-side include is a variable value (for example, a file "Last modified" date) that a server can include in an HTML file before it sends it to the requestor. If you're creating a Web page, you can insert an include statement in the HTML file that looks like this:

<!--#echo var="LAST_MODIFIED"-->

and the server will obtain the last-modified date for the file and insert it before the HTML file is sent to requestors.

LAST_MODIFIED is one of several environment

Learn More

variables that an operating system can keep track of and that can be accessible to a server program. The server administrator can make these environment variables usable when the system is set up.

A Web file that contains server-side include statements (such as the "echo" statement above) is usually defined by the administrator to be a file with an "." suffix. You can think of a server-side include as a limited form of common gateway interface application. In fact, the CGI is not used. The server simply searches the server-side include file for CGI environment variables, and inserts the variable information in the places in the file where the "include" statements have been inserted.

When creating a Web site, a good idea is to ask your server administrator which environment variables can be used and whether the administrator can arrange to set the server up so that these can be handled. The administrator may be able to help you add the appropriate "include" statements to your HTML file.

This was last updated in July 2000

Dig Deeper

  • Remote backup can ease network disaster recovery

    Backing up to local disk or tape can protect against the accidental destruction of a file but will do nothing to protect you when your facility suffers fire or flooding. Remote backup provides a better solution. This tip looks at two possibilities for remote backup: Choosing an outsourced remote backup service, or using software to do your own backups to an offsite facility.

  • VoIP now part of phishing attacks

    Learn how attackers are using the widespread deployment of low-cost VoIP to leverage phishing attacks.

  • VoIP privacy on the WAN

    Is the government listening to your VoIP traffic? Can other companies spy on your WAN? It may sound like a paranoid conspiracy theory, but it's not that far out, technologically speaking. In this tip, Tom Lancaster looks at just how exposed your WAN traffic may be.

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.

Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com