Software advice 2

[Domino2]

I am trying to design a webpage with HTML and PHP. I am sick of playing with Frontpage. Is there any software eople can advise where I can clearly build an HTML page, and easily identify where I want to insert PHP sections. An example, with Frontpage I can do an HTML page, insert a table, and insert words in the table cells where I want to put a PHP/MySql list. But then have to make it either HTML to work on it(see layout), or PHP to code it. Am I making sense, thanks

 

[johnwm]

I use Programmers Notepad. It's available here:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/pnotepad/

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[Domino2]

Thanks John. I had a look at it and it's very good a syntax highlighting, etc. However I am looking for something where you can drop in HTML tables, easily set properties and view as would be in a browser. Then have ability to insert PHP but still get a view of HTML if its a PHP page having some HTML content. Frontpage seems to show only code if it's a PHP page. I keep having to change it's extension to .htm to see if my HTML page layout has got ruined. There must be something similar to Frontpage where you can switch between HTML and PHP views. Also not put all the rubbish in that Frontpage seems to do. Thanks again

 

[vacunita]

Try Dreamweaver. It will not render the PHP, but it will show you the HTML with a PHP place holder in the places you have PHP.

You can change from code view to design view to see the html and the php code.

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Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[Domino2]

Many thanks, it's a bit pricey!!

 

[johnwm]

I believe that Dreamweaver comes close to what you are looking for - although it seems to put in a load of characteristic DW code, it's not as bad as FP .

However you will still need to learn code your own HTML, CSS and PHP to get the best from any of the drag'n'drop type tools.

___________________________________________________________
If you want the best response to a question, please check out FAQ222-2244 first.
'If we're supposed to work in Hex, why have we only got A fingers?'
Drive a Steam Roller
Steam Engine Prints

 

[vacunita]

I agree with johnwm. its very important to know how to hand code. That way you can add or remove things to the code produced by whatever WYSIWYG tool you use to get the best results possible.

----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[Domino2]

Many thanks for the good advice. I have the 30day trial on Dreamweaver. It has straightened up some of the problems I was finding in Frontpage, its good to be able to view either page HTML or PHP code. I think for the cost around £300+ it still has it's operational quirks, probably due to rushing into it. However I think it's probably full of features that I may never use, hence cost. I think I will use it for the 30days, try and learn a bit more code, play with the designers notepad etc, then dump Dreamweaver.
So many thanks all.

 

[audiopro]

The other approach would be to use PHP to control what HTML is used. I program Perl but the method would be the same. Your HTML would be stored in external files and read via your PHP script when required.
One advantage of this method is that you can take your header and footer sections from your Index page and only have one version to maintain. Your page menus can also be automated using the same method, saving you a lot of work.

Keith
www.studiosoft.co.uk

 

[Domino2]

Thanks Keith. I think one more language is going to make my head go bang, HTML,PHP,MySql,VB6,VB.Net .........

Why can't someone come along with a common language HPMV
Wishfull thinking, but thanks all the same. My problem is I get shifted from one medium to the next, only grasping emergency syntax references.

Regards

 

[audiopro]

I am trying to design a webpage with HTML and PHP.

What other language do you need to learn?

Keith

http://www.studiosoft.co.uk

 

[Domino2]

Your suggestion - Pearl? Thanks

 

[audiopro]

No - you could do the same with PHP. I use Perl as it is the language I know but PHP will do the same job.

Keith

http://www.studiosoft.co.uk

 

[Stretchwickster]

In the past, I've very briefly used a Mozilla product called SeaMonkey which, if my recollections are correct, offers pretty clean WYSIWYG (you'd need to try it though, as I can't be 100% sure) using its Composer HTML editor.

However, I would also support the suggestions above to get to grips with hand-coding first.

Hope this helps!

Clive

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"To err is human, but to really foul things up you need a computer." (Paul Ehrlich)
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