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A bit of background


Find out the basics of text editors

Text editors come in all many different forms, but at their hearts they all do the same thing - allow you to edit files that are composed of straight forward, everyday text. HTML & CSS files are like this, their contents are simply plain text.

Your computer may already have a text editor on it. If you're using a Windows based computer then you'll likely have Notepad (Programs > Accessories > Notepad). If you're using an Apple computer then you'll have VIM already installed (Applications > Utilities > Terminal and then type in VIM and press return). Finally, if you're running Linux (bonus points if you are) then you'll certainly have one of either VI/VIM, emacs, Kate or gedit. 
 
Not all text editors are created equally and whilst VIM is a truly splendid text editor, it has a steep learning curve. Unless you can already use it, then we'd recommend something else for now. You can always come back to VIM later on.
 
If you're running windows then Notepad has the opposite problem to VIM - it's too simple. You'll be fighting with it all the way to use it to do serious webcraft work.

Task Discussion


  • MarathonRunner said:

    I will be using Dreamweaver.

    on March 24, 2014, 9:20 p.m.

    Rey said:

    Dreamweaver is an IDE which has it all. But I'm pretty sure you're more skilled in this field.  See you around..

     

    on March 30, 2014, 9:28 a.m. in reply to MarathonRunner
  • oPartyInMyPants said:

    After a some research and seeing what other people are using, notepad++ seems like the way to go, because it is just as powerful as its paid-for counterparts.  But I plan on getting a Mac soon so hopefully I will be experienced enough to start using VIM.

    on March 24, 2014, 8:03 p.m.

    Rey said:

    hi there, your right! I'll be using notepad++ too. I tried VIM on a linux destro and its pretty powerful than their windows version.But the learning curve is pretty steep.

    on March 30, 2014, 9:33 a.m. in reply to oPartyInMyPants

    algotruneman said:

    Most of your web development will happen on your own computer. Use the tools that make you happy. But it may happen that you need to make modifications to files at a server that is many miles away, and you might not have quick access to your own tools.  If you are only able to connect with a shell account, knowing Vi(Vim) will let you make the changes because it is almost always installed on the server operating system (since most hosted servers are running GNU/Linux). Don't make it your primary development tool, but practice with it in your spare time.

    on March 30, 2014, 10:28 a.m. in reply to Rey

    Rey said:

    Thanks Algot, Thats a very good advice. Since My primary machine is windows but I will practice Vim in linux because I think the linux version of Vim is pretty awesome than windows version. It is becasue Vim is made for linux? I can across with Brackets and I like the way it preview my code in a browser live. I will some of the editors out there so that I can compare them or make some experience of using it. May I ask if what text editor you are using today? or you are using an IDE.

    on March 31, 2014, 7:05 p.m. in reply to algotruneman

    algotruneman said:

    I use Kate as my text editor. It is one of the programs from the KDE community. I use the Kubuntu and Open SuSE GNU/Linux distributions most of the time. Kate is the default text editor of both distributions. I have not used Kate on Windows, although I have read it is available if you install KDE's tools.

    on April 1, 2014, 7:39 a.m. in reply to Rey

    Rey said:

    I tried Kubuntu before but not for long. I stick to ubuntu and windows. I like ubuntu but most of the app I need runs on windows.I'll try Kate if I have spare time. thanks Algot.

    on April 1, 2014, 2 p.m. in reply to algotruneman
  • Tumuli Kwasi said:

     Notepad++  is what i will be using

    on March 21, 2014, 1:10 p.m.
  • Orpheus said:

    i am also going for notepad++ cos i love how it color code tags

    on March 14, 2014, 6:01 p.m.
  • MaryAnn Powell said:

    The purist in me wants to say I'll still use plain old Notepad... but Notepad++ looks like it truly would be an improvement, so I'm going to give it a try.

    on March 10, 2014, 9:13 p.m.
  • leglenn said:

    I'll be using my good ole standby - UltraEdit. I already have it programmed for different types of code to show highlighted syntax. Not sure if it is still available or not!

    on Feb. 5, 2014, 5:43 p.m.
  • Eager2learn2 said:

    I have been trying a few of them over the last few weeks,but the one I settled on in the end was

     http://brackets.io/.This editor allows you to view your code live.I am on Windows by the way,but this is also available to download for MAC too.

    on Jan. 24, 2014, 12:28 p.m.

    Robert Stewart said:

    Thanks, that looks really good. I like how easy it is to add additional functionality through plugins. The W3C Validator plugin will come in handy.

    on March 12, 2014, 7:18 p.m. in reply to Eager2learn2
  • Famon0914 said:

    I'm running Windows, but will be programming with Notepad++.

    on Jan. 17, 2014, 10:50 p.m.
  • Priya said:

    I'm going to program with Dreamweaver :-)

    on Jan. 9, 2014, 11:06 a.m.
  • Anonym said:

    i have my note pad

    on Dec. 15, 2013, 3:26 p.m.
  • takeacoffee said:

    I'm an Ubuntu user and i suggest givin a try to Geany.

    on Dec. 15, 2013, 2:30 p.m.
  • chasemckenna said:

    I have Dreamweaver and have used it before, but want to also become familar with a simple writer. So will be tryin Notepad++ as it look pretty popular

    on Dec. 13, 2013, 5:54 p.m.
  • Jiro said:

    I already have (and work with) Dreamweaver, but it's a gigantic program, so I've decided to opt for Aptana (Mac) because it corrects code (!), it's free, also it works with CSS and javascript, and it has a beautiful black slate  to work on.

    on Dec. 9, 2013, 2:59 p.m.
  • Tamonten said:

    Going with Notepadd++ 

    on Dec. 4, 2013, 4:10 p.m.
  • Manuja said:

    I have Windows 7 and thus a notepad. Let me see how it goes on with this.

    on Dec. 3, 2013, 6 p.m.
  • nimira said:

    Top style-вот настоящая волшебная палочка

    on Dec. 1, 2013, 12:03 p.m.
  • USGuardian said:

    I'm using a MAC... gonna go with TextWrangler for now...

    on Nov. 24, 2013, 8:42 a.m.
  • Laura said:

    I have always used Notepad due to its simplicity, but I'm going to check out Notepad++! Great tip.

    on Nov. 19, 2013, 8:45 p.m.