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By Root 1388 0

content management systems (CMS) — programs which create Web sites dynamically. Generally, CMS systems provide the same ease-of-use as a visual editor but with other benefits. However, transitioning code created in a commercial editor to a CMS is very difficult. I describe CMS systems in detail in Book VIII, Chapter 3.

Alternative Web Development Tools

For Web development, all you really need is a text editor and a Web browser. You probably already have a basic set of tools on your computer. If you read Chapters 1 and 2 of this minibook, you’ve already written a couple of Web pages. However, the very basic tools that come with every computer might not be enough for serious work. Web development requires a specialized kind of text editor, and a number of tools have evolved that make the job easier.

The features you need on your computer

Here are a few features your text editor and browser might not have that you need:

♦ Line numbers: Notepad doesn’t have an easy way to figure out what line you’re on. And counting lines every time you want to find a problem noted by the validator is pretty tedious.

♦ Help features: Having an editor help with your code is ideal. Some tools can recognize HTML code, help with indentation, and warn you when something is wrong.

♦ Macros: You type the same code many times. A program that can record and play keyboard macros can save a huge amount of time.

♦ Testing and validation: Testing your code in one or more browsers should be simple, and there should be an easy way to check your code for standards.

♦ Multiple browsers: An Internet user having only one browser is fine, but a Web developer needs to know how things look in a couple different environments.

♦ Browser features: You can customize some browsers (especially Firefox) to help you a lot. With the right attachments, the browser can point out errors and help you see the structure of your page.

♦ Free and open tools: The Web is exciting because it’s free and open technology. If you can find tools that follow the same philosophy, all the better.

Building a basic toolbox

I’ve found uses for five types of programs in Web development:

♦ Enhanced text editors: These tools are text editors, but they’re souped-up with all kinds of fancy features, like syntax checkers, code-coloring tools, macro tools, and multiple document interfaces.

♦ Browsers and plugins: The browser you use can make a huge difference. You can also install free add-ons that can turn your browser into a powerful Web development tool.

♦ Integrated Development Environments (IDE): Programmers generally use IDEs, which combine text editing, visual layout, code testing, and debugging tools.

♦ Programming technologies: This book covers all pertinent info about incorporating other technologies, like Apache, PHP, and MySQL. I show you how to install everything you need for these technologies in Book VIII, Chapter 1. You don’t need to worry about these things yet, but you should develop habits that are compatible with these enhanced technologies from the beginning.

♦ Multimedia tools: If you want various multimedia elements on your page, you’ll need tools to manage them, as well. These could involve graphics and audio editors, as well as full-blown multimedia technologies, like Flash.

Picking a Text Editor

As a programmer, you come to see your text editor as a faithful companion. You spend a lot of time with this tool, so use one that works with you.

A text editor should save plain text without any formatting at all. You don’t want anything that saves colors, font choices, or other text formatting because these things don’t automatically translate to HTML.

Fortunately, you have several choices, as the following sections reveal.

Tools to avoid unless you have nothing else

A text editor may be a simple program, but that doesn’t mean they’re all the same. Some programs have a history of causing problems for beginners (and experienced developers, too). There’s usually no need to use some of these weaker choices.