Frames enable the display of multiple independently scrollable views
on a single screen, each with its own distinct URL.
Frames can point to different URLs as well as be targeted
by other URLs - all within the same screen.
Views may be independent windows or subwindows. Multiple views allow
designers to keep certain information visible, while other views
are scrolled or replaced.
For instance, to use three frames:
a static banner,
a navigation menu,
a main view that can be scrolled though or replaced by
clicking on an item in the navigation frame.
Or, a user can submit search queries in one frame and receive
back results in another.
An HTML document with frames has a slightly different makeup
than an HTML document without frames.
A standard document has one
HEAD
section and one
BODY
section.
A document with frames has
Elements that might normally be placed in the
BODY
element must not appear before the first
FRAMESETelement or the
FRAMESET will be ignored.
But be warned, many users do not like frames.
Frames require that one page be loaded, then at least two more,
imposing longer display times that are felt especially hard by dial-up
customers.
They reduce the displayable area for content.
They cause navigation difficulties.
For a good analysis of these problems,
see the article by Nielsen.
Dynamic Synchronized Frames
Frames as static navigational tools are dying. Add new life to the
frameset concept with dynamic synchronized frames. Parallel frames
scroll in tandem, allowing for the publication of large spreadsheets
with row and column headers kept aligned at all times. Track longitude
on maps without the use of atomic clocks. Keep your table headers
on-screen. Any large columnar page can now make it to the Web intact,
so paste those pieces back together, and learn to love frames all
over again.
