head -n 20 index.shtml The head command displays the first 20 lines (the "top") of the file. You will see the raw SSI directives, not the rendered HTML. To see what the server actually sends to the browser (post-parsing), use curl :
If you are debugging an old SHTML site, fine. If you are building a new site with a reusable "top" bar, use a templating engine or a static site generator. Do not use SSI. Chapter 6: Security Implications of Viewing SHTML Tops When you view shtml top , look for dangerous patterns. view shtml top
AddType text/html .shtml AddOutputFilter INCLUDES .shtml Symptoms: The page loads forever or crashes. Check: Does top.shtml include index.shtml ? View the top of both files: head -n 20 index
If you have ever stumbled upon a file extension .shtml while auditing a server or digging through old code repositories, you have encountered a relic of the early dynamic web. The search term "view shtml top" is an interesting one—it sits at the intersection of server administration, debugging, and content management. If you are building a new site with
But what does "view shtml top" actually mean? Is it a command, a code snippet, or a troubleshooting step?
head top.shtml head index.shtml If top.shtml has <!--#include virtual="index.shtml" --> , you have created an infinite loop. While "view shtml top" is a valid technical skill, you should rarely be writing new .shtml files in 2025. Here is why, and what to use instead.