Dreamweaver vs. Notepad - HTML

[Pattt]

I made this thread because my friend says that Notepad is better to use than Dreamweaver, for HTML. They say Dreamweaver "sucks". Why should it suck? So... I thought I'm gonna ask you guys. :thumb:

If this thread is unnecessary, lock. :P

[Seb Hughes]

Erm, I use Notepad++, I think hard coding is more fun and the code is so much better than using DW. Also why use DW, which is just a few simple forms, to enter the code for you when you can do it for free, using notepad and having better code.

[senocular]

DW DOES have a source view... it has everything notepad has plus more. The only thing that notepad has over dreamweaver is startup time.

[SlowRoasted]

I use DW code view. I like the code hints to get things done quickly and not have to reference. I also like the color coding. People who say notepad is for hardcore coders are stupid.

[Seb Hughes]

Notepad++ has colour for many language. Just select the coding language and it colours it. But why have DW just for code view.

[senocular]

For DW code view features + non-code view features.

[DDD]

I made this thread because my friend says that Notepad is better to use than Dreamweaver, for HTML. They say Dreamweaver "sucks". Why should it suck? So... I thought I'm gonna ask you guys. :thumb:

If this thread is unnecessary, lock. :P

Lets put it this way, being able to code in notepad is good nothing wrong with knowing your code well. But we actually passed on hiring a dude, because he used nothing but Notepad (and bragged about it) and didnt know how to use DW or Homesite. In a production environment things are about speed plus quality. And debugging and coding in Notepad has neither IMO.

DW sucks to some people because they dont know how to use it properly. It does insert code at times and auto-finishes tags, but all that stuff can be set in the options to not do that. You can tailor DW to your work flow. Also if you use source safe or some kind of versioning you can forget notepad. Of course my opinion is from a industry standpoint. ANd that opinion is notepad sucks.

[SlowRoasted]

Once you get the hang of the auto-finish stuff in DW it can really speed up your pace.

[Pattt]

They said something about that Dreamweavers code isn't valid (or something, I don't know what that means).

AND - I'm not talking about Notepad++, but Microsoft Notepad.

[SlowRoasted]

Not sure about their generated code, I know it at least does transitional. It may not do strict, but if you are using code view, and doing most or all of the code yourself, then you code the way you want. If you want to code XHTML strict then that's the code you write.



But we actually passed on hiring a dude, because he used nothing but Notepad (and bragged about it) and didnt know how to use DW or Homesite.


ROFL

[thats all folks]

I always felt that when this topic comes up its similar to Mac vs Pc. I think it just comes down to your personnel preference and like all things you can find faults in each program.

[SlowRoasted]

Nah, if we are talking notepad vs DW code view then notepad gets blown out of the water. The only thing you can argue is price.

[Templarian]

I've never used the design mode in DW, but for PHP and fast HTML mark up the code editor is so much faster. Cuts so much time out of creating CSS sites because with a hit of the space bar the entire list of properties is there, and all PHP functions are in it (from what i've seen).

Just having CTRL+Space for PHP makes it worth it.

[DDD]

I always felt that when this topic comes up its similar to Mac vs Pc. I think it just comes down to your personnel preference and like all things you can find faults in each program.
It really shouldnt end up that way. This one is pretty self explanatory, DW speeds up work-flow no matter who the person is. Notepad is good to make sure you know the syntax, because DW can spoil you. I cannot think of one attribute Notepad has over DW besides price. Not one.

[ditt0]

In a production environment things are about speed plus quality. And debugging and coding in Notepad has neither IMO.

Totally agree.
I mean if you code just for fun once a week, you might as well use notepad.
But when you do that on a daily basis, for more than 5-6 hours/day and you have a lot of project on your hands, work in a team, have tight deadlines and a bunch of clients calling the office every 10 minutes, then you might consider taking a look at DW again. DW is a great editor and it's really up to you to set it up right. It has things like FTP and SVN integration, you can personalize many of its features according to your needs just by editing a few xml files.
You know, I see a lot of jobs on craigslist or other places specifying "has to be able to code in Notepad (no DW)" and everytime I have in my head this image of an employer that expects you to build Disneyland for 5$.
Oh yea, the other part of coding in Notepad can be the "coolness" of it. But to me saying that you prefer Notepad over DW denotes if not lack of knowledge about Dreamweaver, then at least lack of experience in the corporate field.

[Cello]

Production houses uses production tools = DW

Notepad is great for learning the trade because it doesn't do anything for you - if the page doesn't display correctly then you've got to go find the bug. However, once you've done your apprenticeship, then you need to be productive AND accurate. That's where DW (and GoLive for that matter - although I believe its days are numbered... ) beat notepad every time.

[SlowRoasted]

What's golive?

Lol, I've only opened it by accident. I've never actually used it.

[evildrummer]

I use DW all the time, its just generally better, good support for languages, I basically only use code-view but its still worth it, Nokrev tried converting me to Aptana and thats ok for odd learning HTML and CSS but when it comes down to PHP, ASP, .NET, ruby, RoR DW just kicks its but and then theres all the extensions you can get!

[Abus]

I use Microsoft Frontpage, and tried DW too. But after reading this post now installing and trying to code my next project DW is on my mind. I also want to try Visual Studio 2005's HTML Editor. As far as I have seen it has got some cool features.

And about that notepad thingy, it is a notepad not an html editor and if you want to ease your job you should try one html editor.


Using notepad everytime is not cool, but being able to use it when you have no other choice is cool :thumb2:

[evildrummer]

My second opinnion is they should release a version of DW without the design view and some of the features and make it cheaper!

[Seb Hughes]

^Then you might aswell got some kinda simple text edito.

[DDD]

My second opinnion is they should release a version of DW without the design view and some of the features and make it cheaper!

I think they do, its called Homesite. It has some stuff I wish DW had.

[develo]

notepad is a fine tool from making txt file to windows batch files to internet shortcuts and website making but dreamweaver
has everything notepad has plus more. The only thing that notepad has over dreamweaver is startup time.and notepad++ for syntax lighting really thats it.dreamweaver is worth it cost plus you get dicounts with packages like web premium

[kyle787]

When I make websites in windows I use dreamweaver, I like creating the CSS in dreamweaver and the source view while coding the HTML, but when I use linux I use a program called bluefish.

[mupo013579]

Nah, if we are talking notepad vs DW code view then notepad gets blown out of the water. The only thing you can argue is price.

and the space required to install it. But what I think is that notepad is a good starting tool when your first learning how to web design,then use Dreamweaver (if you have that kind of money). Also neither tool sucks its just which one you decide to use, both can create a web site and both can program that website to play media or place logos or anything else just the matter of speed