The Importance of Index Files

When the Web server gets a request for something which is the name of a folder, it looks for a list of files with special names. If it finds one of these files, it shows the file, otherwise it shows a directory listing.

By putting an index file in every directory you create, you not only save on having to type in a filename when you create links to the main file, but you also make it easier for people to get to your site.

For example, let's say you want to create a homepage for the Office of Communications, in the /offices/comm/ folder. If you start with an index.shtml file as the homepage, its URL will be http://www.mtholyoke.edu/offices/comm/index.shtml,
but people will be able to see it by going to http://www.mtholyoke.edu/offices/comm/
as well. If you did not create an index file, anyone who used the second address would be able to see a listing of all the files in that directory.

The Web server searches for these files, in the order listed: index.menu index.shtml index.shm index.html index.htm default.shtml default.htm. If any of these is found, it is displayed instead of the directory listing.