Why do we use Frames?

What are frames for? What is the right method to work with them? What is the best way to avoid them? All these questions we tried to answer in this article.

First of all, let’s decide, why and what for do we use frames? They appeared in the second version of Netscape Navigation and served to lighten the work with site creation.

The technique of frame usage consists of division into several parts of one web-page. In each of those parts you can download independent web-page and it all will regard to one project. Also there was introduced a mechanism that allows you to control any of that page from independent field. For example, you can organize site menu on the one page and its contents on the other. One click easily opens necessary information in the other page. So, such site-building is mostly used. But let’s speak not about the main mechanism of its creation, but about its disadvantages and adaptation.

Main disadvantages of sites that based on frame usage

1. The web-pages are not indexed by simple web search engines, except the first one. This happens because the frame description doesn’t include the reference like this <a href="">...</a>

and searching robots can’t get to inner page. And you have to do your best for providing this. Particularly insert this reference for the robots.

2. Frame structure is very widespread; so many “Frame- sites” are rather monotonous.

3. You can’t put bookmarks to inner web-page.

Cases when you can put frames

Honestly saying, there are only few aims that can’t be solve with the help of frames. Originally, frames were used for creation the mechanism of navigation system on the site, but nowadays they show that they didn’t manage with such mission. SSI is better used for this purpose.

Nevertheless, there are some cases when frames-use can help.

1. When you need to create site quickly and when all starting pages are ready.

2. When you need that definite part of the page always was on top.

3. For design beauty.

The mechanism of frame work

If you decided to use frame you should perfectly know the HTML-code, otherwise you can do it at all.