Can you embed a PHP, ASP Microsite with an HTML Site?

[melchapman]

I am not familiar with developing sites from scratch. All of my business is designing and marketing template based sites.

I have been approached by my husbands boss asking me to design a new site so that they can embed a microsite that requires the support of either php, asp or Coldfusion.

Can you tell me exactly what that means?

Also... can this type of embedding be done with an html driven site?

Would the site have to be designed in a particular program that supports html and the other formats?

Like I said... all of this is really foreign to me. I am trying to come up with some type of solution for them and determine whether or not I am capable of helping them.

Thanks in advance,
Mel

[DaveSawers]

All that PHP, etc. does is write HTML on the server that then gets passed down to the users browser on the client computer.

The code is embedded in the regular page HTML in those positions where some programming is needed. All the HTML can be generated by the code or just one number or word.

Therefore, nothing different in the design is required for a site that uses PHP, etc.

For embedding purposes, simply design your site as normal, leaving a space for the HTML that will be generated by the embedded program. This space might be in a <div> or a <td> or whatever is appropriate.

[melchapman]

Wow... thanks Dave.

I just want to make sure that I understand this correctly.

A typical HTML written site has the capability of running a "mini-site" that is programmed with PHP, etc.

Here is the information that I have.

ShoreTel Microsite

ShoreTel offers a "micro" version of ShoreTel.com that you can embed into your existing website.

Always Up to Date:
The Microsite content will be maintained by ShoreTel and automatically updated on your website, so your site will always be up to date.

Automatic Lead Referral:
Any qualified lead that results from a click to shoretel.com from your website will be routed back to you whether they register immediately, the next day, or even a year later.

Two Microsite Flavors:
Choose between a full description of IP Telephony plus Whitepapers; or a ShoreTel Products only version for your website.

One time installation:
Installation involves downloading a server-side script (PHP, ASP, or ColdFusion), and customizing it to look like your website.

What do they mean, download the script? Are they generating a unique code for their site that they will place in a file?

Also... how do you know if the site supports this type of program integration?

I am soooooo lost!

[DaveSawers]

Originally Posted by melchapman

A typical HTML written site has the capability of running a "mini-site" that is programmed with PHP, etc.

Yes it does.

You seem rather in the wilderness here. Perhaps you should search for a basic PHP tutorial to help you grasp the concepts.

[kgun]

Yes, the Norwegian site W3 Schools is perhaps a good place to start:

Links:
W3Schools Online Web Tutorials

[drummin]

Hi
I've never dealt with your situation but I've included page parts into a main page from other files many times. Like a common testimonial that you want to use in many sites. Another example is making your menu in a seperate file, then on each page of your site, just include it. Read on for explaination.

I would download their script and customize the mimi site the way you want it to look on its own. Save as a seperate file. mimisite.htm for example.

Then make your main site layout the way you want and where you would like this "mimi-site" to be, add the following...
<?
include('mimisite.htm');
?>

I would save your main page with php extention as in pagename.php so server is looking for php within file.

Keep dimensions in mind... Width of mimi site will load in the area you have placed it.

These "parts" can also be parts of a table of your main page. For example: Say just the foot area.
<tr>
<td>This is your foot</td>
</tr>
</table>
The above code would be saved as foot.htm

Main page would be

<table>
<tr>
<td>main site</td>
</tr>
<?
include('foot.htm');
?>

When site is put together by server...
<table>
<tr>
<td>main site</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>This is your foot</td>
</tr>
</table>

By the way, when making these "parts", like a menu or any section you're going to include, save just the code part in your file without any html, head or body tags because it's going to be placed within your page that already has these.

I'm NOT sure how your application works. IF it has to have these heading tags, you might need to load it into an <iframe></iframe>. I'm sure your application will come with instructions so don't worry.

Hope these "broad-brush" explanations help.
Best to ya,
Drummin

[DaveSawers]

Originally Posted by kgun

Yes, the Norwegian site W3 Schools is perhaps a good place to start:

Links:
W3Schools Online Web Tutorials

I have to endorse that recommendation. I've found them very useful for all sorts of items. Every beginner to a particular web subject should start there.

[melchapman]

Thank you so much! You have definately helped someone that has NO CLUE... but this is great information that I can pass on. You have been great!

Thanks again,
Mel