Feedback: Timestamping an HTML Document

Feedback on: Timestamping an HTML Document

Sent by Kay Crowley on November 06, 1998 at 10:33:55: - feedback #46

Good article --

There is a third option worth noting, programs that allow for "pre-publication includes".

Case in point: CSE's latest HTML Validator has a "template" function that works like SSI, but is done on your production machine prior to publication. A piece of code added to the HTML file and then, prior to publication, it is processed. If the include you specify contains the symbol $"CURRENTDATE" or $"CURRENTTIME" that information is added.
I use it for much more than "last modified", but it certainly works for that too. This is the strongest production machine side implementation of 'includes' (using the editor of your choice) I've seen, and I've been scouring the web for them for some time!

NOTE: Also great for including Javascripts contained in -head- over multiple pages... even DW doesn't do that.

Sent by Dave Campbell on December 07, 1998 at 05:51:08: - feedback #60

I enjoyed the article on time stamping and its various variations.
I would like to know if anyone has any thoughts on how to place a last modified stamp plus a review date stamp that was some time in the future ie 100 days
Thanx Dave

Sent by Greg Thomas on May 04, 1999 at 10:29:07: - feedback #183

Worth:
Worth reading

Length:
Just right

Technical:
Just right

Comments:
Pankaj,
At http://www.irt.org/articles/js130/index.htm you say

"Limitations

Unfortunately, it seems that the JavaScript technique doesn't work if the file is already using SSIs (say for some other purpose).
That is, the above technique will not work if the file is of the type *.shtml and includes

document.write(document.lastModified)"

I can remove the 'it seems' for you. document.lastModified returns that date as indicated by the "last-modified:" HTTP header when the file is retrieved. Many servers that implement SSI do not return this header, because it would be necessary to parse the whole of the 'included' document tree to work out which file was the last modified.

Whilst some servers will return this field, the majority will not, and hence document.lastModified will not work on these servers.

HTH,

Greg

Sent by M.Bell on September 11, 1999 at 08:00:49: - feedback #453

Worth:
Very worth reading

Comments:
1. How can I add a timestamp to a link, so when a link is pointed to it will show the viewer the last time the file that the
link points to was updated.

2. Do you know an INTERNET address for a tutorial program for PERL for beginners?

Thank you.

Sent by Poorna Rao on April 11, 2000 at 20:07:00: - feedback #1074

Worth:
Very worth reading

Comments:
Great article.

Describes in a logical fashion and self contained.

Tx.

Sent by Connie Chan on July 11, 2001 at 02:13:38: - feedback #2951

Worth:
Very worth reading

Comments:
Yes, i met the same problem. The last modified date of the HTML document is updated each time using i press Refresh button.

Any suggestion to improve it?

Cheers,
Connie Chan