HTML: A Guide to Hard-Coding
Having Rows and Columns in Frames
Let's look at this code carefully.
I start with a <frameset> that has two rows.
Then I put in a <frame> with the src for the first row. I should have another <frame> and src for the second row, but instead of that I open another <frameset>. This <frameset> basically replaces the <frame> source.
This is "nestling" is infinite; you could nestle as many frames as you want, but of course it wouldn't necessarily look good on your page.
Notice that in the navigational frame on the left we have a scroll bar. This is because I have scrolling set to "auto" and the page is bigger than the frame.
Another thing that you should keep in mind is that some browsers cannot read frames. Many people will put in a <body> tag after the frames, then put the entire page in a close the body. I have never done this, but it is considered good programming practice.
If you have your links in the left hand navigational frame, and you click on a link, where will the page come up? In the navigational frame? In the main frame? In the header frame? Remember when I told you to name the frames? This is why. When you click on a link in a frame, you want to be able to control where that page loads. By naming the frame and then putting some extra code in the <A HREF> tag, we can control it.
I'm going to go back and name the frames.
Now what I need to do is go to the link (remember the link will be on a separate HTML document and not on the one that contains the frames) and modify the code. For example, a link could look like this:
<A HREF="name.html">
I would add the "target" or where I want the page to load.
<A HREF="name.html" target="main" >
This would cause the page to load in the frame called "main." You need to be careful that always indicate where you want the page to load.
There are a few special targets:
<A HREF="name.html" target="_blank"> loads the page in an entirely new browser window. This is very important for external links--you should always load them in a new browser window.
<A HREF="name.html" target="_self"> loads the page into the frame that contains the link.
s loads the page on top of the frames in a clean window. You would need to use the browser "back" button to return to the frames.
Frames can be a useful thing, but some say they are on their way out of use. If you do use them, be sure to use borderless frames since this will improve the look of your page. Also remember that any page you did not make deserves to be seen on it's on, and not framed by your page with your advertising.
