FrontPage extensions are CGI programs that provide the server side implementation of FrontPage. FrontPage communicates with the extensions via HTTP using a Remote Procedure Call (RPC). When the server sees the "POST" request addressed to the FrontPage server extensions it simply directs the request to the appropriate CGI program. The extensions implement authoring (uploading/downloading documents, ToDo lists), administration (setting end-user, author, and administrator privileges), and dynamic content (browse-time WebBot components). Without the FrontPage server extensions you will not be able to take advantage of the WebBots that are available through FrontPage. You also cannot author and administer your site using the tools provided as part of the FrontPage Editor/Explorer package.
WebBots are the mechanism for invoking many of the interactive features built into FrontPage. These features are added to your site through the FrontPage Editor | Insert WebBot component Some, such as ''Include'' and ''Substitution'' allow elements of your site to be entered once and included in any or all of the pages by inserting the Bot component referencing that element (e.g., a logo or navigation bar). Changes made to the 'master' element are made automatically to any page containing the referencing Bot. Other Bots, such as Search, Table of Contents and Timestamp, control dynamic browse-time features. These Bots work behind the scenes to keep your site up-to-date for visitors.