Image Maps: Client Side Versus Server Side

According to the HTML 4.01
Specification, there are
two kinds of image map,
client side and server
side.

The specification clearly favors
client side image maps as a first
choice. This makes sense.

Here are some advantages of a client
side image map:

• You don't have to set up anything
  extra on your web server with a client
  side image map. In particular, there
  is no need to set up a program that figures
  out what happens when a web visitor clicks
  on your image map.
• Client side image maps are limited.
  Since you can only use them for linking,
  they are simple. Simple is good.
• The simplicity of a client-side image
  map is that it defines a link, a clickable
  area for that link, and that's all

One of the key advantages of a client side
image map is that all processing of clicks
takes place inside your web visitors browser.
Therefore, a client side image map puts no
burden on your web server.

In fact, client side image maps are really
just another way to create links.

Client side image maps are particularly well
suited to creating links that have a strong
visual component.

Which is easier to implement? Client
side or server side image maps?

In general, client side image maps are
more easily implemented than server side
image maps.

However, if wish to do something really
sophisticated that goes beyond the creation
of links, you may need a server side image
map. Server side image maps need a backend
to process them.

Ed Abbott