Library verses Template in Dreamweaver 4?

[Andrew_Sam]

Evening all.

Can I please pick the collective brains of any Dreamweaver experts onboard please?

What is the difference/differences between using a Template verses using a Library in DW4?

I'm simply wanting a method of collectively updating my Webpages when/if I ammend any of the navigation.

What would be the advantages/disadvanatges of using each please.

Regards

Andrew

[azizur_rahman]

ok, They both have advantages and disadvanatges. I'll try to explain them through their use in development.

Template:
-> Allows you to create document(s) based on a defined Template file
-> Any changes made to Template file will reflect on all document(s) based on that template.
-> mostly used for consistent design.
-> You can think of Template as the blue print to the rest of the site.


Library:
-> think of this massive libray, where you can get books out and use them as and where you like.
-> You'd normally store information that is repeted many times plus changes many times... (i.e. news updates and archeiving)
-> you can also store information that do not change many times (i.e. contact infomation)
-> you can also think of this as you paste board/clip board you can use it as and when needed and remove when you dont want to use, but be able to get it back at a later date.

I dont know how can one make comperision when they are both designed for different job.

think of it this way, your web site will be easier to maintain if you've a template, and if you use library it will be even more easier to change information like news that may be put across several pages and changes on regular basis. on You dont need to use any library to make your site easily maintainable.

[Andrew_Sam]

Cheers for such a helpful and comprehensive reply azizur much appreciated.

My Site has a navigation column left and right. A graphic header banner to the top and another navigation "footer" row at the bottom of the page. All these will stay constant from page to page, only the centre of the page (the text content) will change.
Please see http://www.dannybaker.force9.co.uk/stmarys/school.gif

Given what you're saying am I right in assuming that for a site like this a template would be the better option?

Cheers

Andrew

[hillsy]

Yes, a template will be better for this kind of thing.

[Andrew_Sam]

Cheers hillsy

Regards

Andrew