What is the difference between include tags and embed tags in expressionengine?

Question

The discussion forum module for expression engine uses {include:file} tags in its templates like in forum_themes/developer/forum_index/main_forum_list.html:

{include:table_heading}
{include:table_rows}
{include:table_footer}

I've searched for the include tag documentation but I can't find it anywhere? What is the include tag and when/where should it be used? Is it specific to the discussion forum module?

Answer 1

I cannot speak to the scope of the {include:file} tag but for most purposes the {embed} tag is what you will be using in ExpressionEngine to include/embed other bits of code.

Other alternatives, depending on the information you would like to include in your page, are the Snippets, Global Variables, or for more complex information LowVariables