asked on

Good website development and management software

I've used HoTMetaL Pro for years to create the pages of my website, manage the structure, and handle the upload. Now that I've finally learned PHP and JavaScript, I'm running into limitations that make me want to find a better solution. Preferably for free, of course, but a good shareware solution is definitely acceptable too, or even commercial software, if it really does everything I want.

What I need it to do:
- Wysiwyg and source level HTML editing
- Wysiwyg CSS editing (if such a thing exists)
- Website structure and link management
- Website upload management
- PHP syntax help (debugging if possible)
- JavaScript syntax help (debugging if possible)
- If no script support, then at least the option to ignore script and handle PHP pages like normal HTML when possible

Suggestions?

SOLUTION

jopie916

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

Kathleen Williams

Have to agree with Dreamweaver

SOLUTION

glcummins

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

GoofyDawg

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

jopie916

I have used Dreamweaver almost exclusively for several years to program in PHP. I have been quite happy with the code coloring and in-line writing shortcuts, etc. (works well for CSS code too). I don't use the WYSIWYG features as much as I use the code window, but it seems to do a pretty good job of editing the HTML around the PHP code blocks. Do note that it cannot render the PHP in WYSIWUG editing mode (at least, as of the version I use) so it may become difficult the more your code is dependent on PHP to create the HTML. It just shows little [PHP?] blocks on the page where the PHP code blocks are. Dreamweaver is especially great for things like creating complex tables (use expanded tables mode) and can handle website file syncronization.

As far as I know if does not have WYSIWYG CSS file editing (perhaps the newer versions?), but you can edit the CSS file and the WYSIWYG html page editor window will use the CSS file(s) and render the page accordingly.

I have not experienced any problems with Dreamweaver and PHP, but then I use it for the text editor 95% of the time. The other 5% have been pleasant.

GoofyDawg

A big problem I've had with Dreamweaver in the past, which is why I switched to HTML-Kit, is because even though you specify spaces for your tabstops, it inserts tabs anyway. It's a pain in the butt! I don't know how it functions in newer versions, but as of CS-2, it still did this.

SOLUTION

Kathleen Williams

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

FlorisMK

ASKER

Excellent input, all! It's too late in the night for me now to look into DreamWeaver and HTML-Kit, but I will take time to do so this weekend.

herit02

You may use following softwares......some of they provide PHP Rendering with an ease......

<table class="compchart" width="657" cellspacing="0">
 
   <tr> 
      <td class="top" colspan="3">Comparison Chart - Web Design Software</td>
   </tr>
   <tr class="heading">
      <th class="heading" >
         <h2>Web design software and Price*</h2>
      </th>
      <th class="heading" >
 
         <h2>Features</h2>
      </th>
      <th class="heading" >
         <h2>System compatibility</h2>
      </th>
   </tr>
<tr>
       <td class="product">
 
          <h2>Adobe Dreamweaver 8</h2>
<a href="http://www.consumersearch.com/www/software/web-design-software/retailers.html" rel="nofollow">Where to Buy</a>
<p>(*est. $400)</p>
 
 
<div class="sdcimage">
  <a href="http://shop.consumersearch.com/adobe_macromedia_dreamweaver_8_full_version_for_pc_mac/linkin_id-8013259/sf-1/pid-26715522/NM-30/ND-30/VA-5/OP-w166" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://di1.shopping.com/images/pi/2c/b5/97/26715522-177x150-0-0.jpg" alt="Adobe Macromedia® Dreamweaver 8 Full Version for PC, Mac" width="177" height="150" border="0"></a></div>
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       </td>
       <td class="product">
          HTML, WYSIWYG, professional pre-made layouts and templates, all major web scripting and multimedia formats, background FTP.
       </td>
 
       <td class="product">
          Windows Svr. 2003/2000/XP & Vista, Mac OS X 10, Pentium III or better, PowerMac G3 or better, 256 MB RAM (1 GB recommend), 650 MB disk
       </td>
</tr>
<tr>
       <td class="product">
          <h2>CoffeeCup 2006 for Windows</h2>
<a href="http://www.consumersearch.com/www/software/web-design-software/retailers.html" rel="nofollow">Where to Buy</a>
<p>(*est. $50)</p>
 
 
<br /><a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-376976-5036224?sid=cc-coffeecup-web-design-software" target="new" rel="nofollow" onClick="javascript:urchinTracker ('/ads' + escape(window.location.pathname) + '/coffeecup');"><img src="http://www.tqlkg.com/image-376976-5036224" width="125" height="125" alt="Click Here for CoffeeCup Website Design Software" border="0"/></a>
 
       </td>
       <td class="product">
          HTML, WYSIWYG, 100 DHTML & JavaScripts, thousands of graphics, frame and table designers, code cleaner, in-browser previews, FTP.
       </td>
       <td class="product">
          Windows 98/NT/2000/XP/Vista
       </td>
 
</tr>
<tr>
       <td class="product">
          <h2>WordPress 2.0</h2>
<a href="http://www.consumersearch.com/www/software/web-design-software/retailers.html" rel="nofollow">Where to Buy</a>
<p>(free, http://wordpress.org)</p>
 
 
 
       </td>
       <td class="product">
 
          HTML, WYSIWYG, instant updates, built-in preview, blogrolls, password protection, RSS syndication, XML-RPC.
       </td>
       <td class="product">
          All Windows. Blog host requires PHP 4.2 or greater & MySQL 3.23.23 or greater
       </td>
</tr>
<tr>
       <td class="product">
          <h2>Homestead SiteBuilder</h2>
<a href="http://www.consumersearch.com/www/software/web-design-software/retailers.html" rel="nofollow">Where to Buy</a>
 
<p>(*est. $10 to $20 per month, plus $20 setup fee. www.homestead.com)</p>
 
 
<br /><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=wPsMnBj7j/U&offerid=116619.10000036&type=4&subid=0" target="new" rel="nofollow" onClick="javascript:urchinTracker ('/ads' + escape(window.location.pathname) + '/homestead');"><IMG alt="3 mo. Half-off Gold & Platinum" border="0" src="http://affiliates.homestead.com/images/banners/coupon-125x125.gif"></a><IMG border="0" width="1" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=wPsMnBj7j/U&bids=116619.10000036&type=4&subid=0">
       </td>
       <td class="product">
          Java-based client, library of over 1.2 million images, forms, animation factory, e-mail & PayPal available. No blog builder.
       </td>
       <td class="product">
          All Windows, 64 MB RAM, 20 MB disk, Pentium II or better. Registered domain, internet connection and browser.
       </td>
 
</tr>
<tr>
       <td class="product">
          <h2>Nvu 1.0</h2>
<a href="http://www.consumersearch.com/www/software/web-design-software/retailers.html" rel="nofollow">Where to Buy</a>
<p>(free, http://www.nvu.com/index.php)</p>
 
 
 
       </td>
       <td class="product">
 
          WYSIWYG, HTML via tab, FTP management, forms, tables, templates, multi-page tabbing.
       </td>
       <td class="product">
          All Windows, Mac & Linux
       </td>
</tr>
</table>

Open in new window

herit02

Comparison Chart - Web Design Software

Web design software and Price*

Features

System compatibility

Adobe Dreamweaver 8

Where to Buy(*est. $400)
HTML, WYSIWYG, professional pre-made layouts and templates, all majorweb scripting and multimedia formats, background FTP. Windows Svr. 2003/2000/XP& Vista, Mac OS X 10, Pentium III or better, PowerMac G3 or better,256 MB RAM (1 GB recommend), 650 MB disk

CoffeeCup 2006 for Windows

Where to Buy(*est. $50)

HTML, WYSIWYG, 100 DHTML & JavaScripts, thousands of graphics,frame and table designers, code cleaner, in-browser previews, FTP. Windows 98/NT/2000/XP/Vista

WordPress 2.0

Where to Buy(free, http://wordpress.org)
HTML, WYSIWYG, instant updates, built-in preview, blogrolls, password protection, RSS syndication, XML-RPC. All Windows. Blog host requires PHP 4.2 or greater & MySQL 3.23.23 or greater

Homestead SiteBuilder

Where to Buy(*est. $10 to $20 per month, plus $20 setup fee. www.homestead.com)

Java-based client, library of over 1.2 million images, forms, animationfactory, e-mail & PayPal available. No blog builder. All Windows, 64 MB RAM, 20 MB disk, Pentium II or better. Registered domain, internet connection and browser.

Nvu 1.0

Where to Buy(free, http://www.nvu.com/index.php)
WYSIWYG, HTML via tab, FTP management, forms, tables, templates, multi-page tabbing. All Windows, Mac & Linux Comparison Chart - Web Design Software Web design software and Price* Features System compatibility Adobe Dreamweaver 8 Where to Buy
(*est. $400) HTML, WYSIWYG, professional pre-made layouts and templates, all major web scripting and multimedia formats, background FTP. Windows Svr. 2003/2000/XP & Vista, Mac OS X 10, Pentium III or better, PowerMac G3 or better, 256 MB RAM (1 GB recommend), 650 MB disk CoffeeCup 2006 for Windows Where to Buy
(*est. $50)
HTML, WYSIWYG, 100 DHTML & JavaScripts, thousands of graphics, frame and table designers, code cleaner, in-browser previews, FTP. Windows 98/NT/2000/XP/Vista WordPress 2.0 Where to Buy
(free, http://wordpress.org) HTML, WYSIWYG, instant updates, built-in preview, blogrolls, password protection, RSS syndication, XML-RPC. All Windows. Blog host requires PHP 4.2 or greater & MySQL 3.23.23 or greater Homestead SiteBuilder Where to Buy
(*est. $10 to $20 per month, plus $20 setup fee. www.homestead.com)
Java-based client, library of over 1.2 million images, forms, animation factory, e-mail & PayPal available. No blog builder. All Windows, 64 MB RAM, 20 MB disk, Pentium II or better. Registered domain, internet connection and browser. Nvu 1.0 Where to Buy
(free, http://www.nvu.com/index.php) WYSIWYG, HTML via tab, FTP management, forms, tables, templates, multi-page tabbing. All Windows, Mac & Linux Comparison Chart - Web Design Software Web design software and Price* Features System compatibility Adobe Dreamweaver 8 Where to Buy
(*est. $400) HTML, WYSIWYG, professional pre-made layouts and templates, all major web scripting and multimedia formats, background FTP. Windows Svr. 2003/2000/XP & Vista, Mac OS X 10, Pentium III or better, PowerMac G3 or better, 256 MB RAM (1 GB recommend), 650 MB disk CoffeeCup 2006 for Windows Where to Buy
(*est. $50)
HTML, WYSIWYG, 100 DHTML & JavaScripts, thousands of graphics, frame and table designers, code cleaner, in-browser previews, FTP. Windows 98/NT/2000/XP/Vista WordPress 2.0 Where to Buy
(free, http://wordpress.org) HTML, WYSIWYG, instant updates, built-in preview, blogrolls, password protection, RSS syndication, XML-RPC. All Windows. Blog host requires PHP 4.2 or greater & MySQL 3.23.23 or greater Homestead SiteBuilder Where to Buy
(*est. $10 to $20 per month, plus $20 setup fee. www.homestead.com)
Java-based client, library of over 1.2 million images, forms, animation factory, e-mail & PayPal available. No blog builder. All Windows, 64 MB RAM, 20 MB disk, Pentium II or better. Registered domain, internet connection and browser. Nvu 1.0 Where to Buy
(free, http://www.nvu.com/index.php) WYSIWYG, HTML via tab, FTP management, forms, tables, templates, multi-page tabbing. All Windows, Mac & Linux Comparison Chart - Web Design Software Web design software and Price* Features System compatibility Adobe Dreamweaver 8 Where to Buy
(*est. $400) HTML, WYSIWYG, professional pre-made layouts and templates, all major web scripting and multimedia formats, background FTP. Windows Svr. 2003/2000/XP & Vista, Mac OS X 10, Pentium III or better, PowerMac G3 or better, 256 MB RAM (1 GB recommend), 650 MB disk CoffeeCup 2006 for Windows Where to Buy
(*est. $50)
HTML, WYSIWYG, 100 DHTML & JavaScripts, thousands of graphics, frame and table designers, code cleaner, in-browser previews, FTP. Windows 98/NT/2000/XP/Vista WordPress 2.0 Where to Buy
(free, http://wordpress.org) HTML, WYSIWYG, instant updates, built-in preview, blogrolls, password protection, RSS syndication, XML-RPC. All Windows. Blog host requires PHP 4.2 or greater & MySQL 3.23.23 or greater Homestead SiteBuilder Where to Buy
(*est. $10 to $20 per month, plus $20 setup fee. www.homestead.com)
Java-based client, library of over 1.2 million images, forms, animation factory, e-mail & PayPal available. No blog builder. All Windows, 64 MB RAM, 20 MB disk, Pentium II or better. Registered domain, internet connection and browser. Nvu 1.0 Where to Buy
(free, http://www.nvu.com/index.php) WYSIWYG, HTML via tab, FTP management, forms, tables, templates, multi-page tabbing. All Windows, Mac & Linux

FlorisMK

ASKER

herit20, could you provide the link to this information instead of posting raw HTML?

FlorisMK

ASKER

So far, I'm very impressed with HTML Kit. I'm afraid the other tools mentioned are too steeply priced to consider. One thing that bothers me about HK so far is related to the fact that I can't find a decent Publish function, one that simply grabs an entire local folder and uploads all modified files to the corresponding remote folder. Which seems to be a symptom of a more general issue with HK: it looks more like a very advanced editor for invididual pages than a website management tool. For instance, I can't find a function to validate (internal and external) links. And I'm very curious what happens when I rename or move a page; can HK then automatically update all links to the file?

GoofyDawg

No. It's an editor and not a website manager. However, if you add an FTP server, all work will be done on the remote server. When you create a file and save it, it automatically gets "published" to the site.

If you're looking for an all-in-one editor/site manager, you might as well use something like FrontPage. :) Mind you, I'm saying this a bit tongue and cheek. :)

DreamWeaver has site management capabilities, and they're not bad at all. But you will pay a premium for that tool, and frankly, it just doesn't have the editing power of HTML-Kit that has great support not only for (x)HTML and JavaScript, but for server-side scripting languages such as ASP, JSP, PHP and Python (among others). If you can live without the site management stuff, there's no better editor!

FlorisMK

ASKER

Thanks for your contributions, all! Most points go to GoofyDawg for HTML-Kit, with the rest distributed over all who provided valuable feedback. (Sorry, I'm granting a B only because none of the solutions match my needs perfectly.) Thanks again!