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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


  • OWLeen Designs said:

    Downloaded Vim and Notepad++.  Think I'm going to give Notepad ++ a shot - looks like a typical editor and pretty straightforward!

    on March 2, 2013, 8:02 p.m.
  • Flux Capacitor said:

    When I first started, I used Notepad++. It's a good text editor, definitely. Then when Linux became my main operating system, I learned how to use VIM. VIM is another very good text editor. A lot of customization to VIM, but until I reinstall I really can't mess with the configuration.

    on March 1, 2013, 11:55 p.m.
  • bayeauxguy said:

    After reading the preferences of several other replies I donwloaded Notepad++.  I have used it before for the very small amount of coding I've done. I had to try out Kompozer as well  because it just has a beginners appeal but I will prefer to actually learn this stuff.

     

    My blog I created solely for these challenges is http://bayoudweller.blogspot.com

     

    on March 1, 2013, 1:03 a.m.
  • Casey Benefield said:

    Ok, so this task did not require a blog post, but I felt compelled to do so anyway. Check it out!

    The post has a lot of history on how I have had a love-hate relationship with HTML / text editors. I went from age 7 editing IBM DOS Batch files, to full-on Java/HTML in present day.

    Oddly enough, Blogger's editor infuriates me, so I went to HTML. See the source of this post!

    on Feb. 27, 2013, 1:03 a.m.
  • Tarcisio Nunes said:

    Notepad++ is in my Windows 8's task bar. But I also like Bluefish, bluefish is not a text editor but an opensource HTML editor.

    on Feb. 26, 2013, 9:32 p.m.
  • Greyseeker said:

    Notepad++, Just started using it after using the cute ftp built in editor for years.

    on Feb. 25, 2013, 5:17 p.m.
  • Henry Joseph said:

    Notepad++.  No question.

    on Feb. 18, 2013, 1:55 p.m.

    Taicid said:

    Excactly, Notepad++ is eaxctly what I'm using

    on Feb. 25, 2013, 12:38 p.m. in reply to Henry Joseph
  • Michael Frohberg said:

    The default text editor for Mac is Text Edit which is certainly competent ,albeit rather simple. VIM is a command line interface and most beginners would not start there...

    on Feb. 17, 2013, 11:03 a.m.
  • Anonym said:

    When I used Windows, I quickly got tired of the limitations of the basic Notepad (one undo, are you kidding me?!?) and started using Notepad++ instead years ago.

    However, since I started running Linux (which, by the way, is like a breath of fresh air, I find it sooooo much easier to use that Windows these days!), I use gedit for any basic text file editing, and I anticipate I'll use it for the HTML in this course. Also, gedit is able to use a whole range of plugins, one of these being a python interpreter, so that should come in useful. 

    As I move onto other languages, I think I'll give Geany a go, as I've heard great things about it. I haven't tried VIM much, it seems a bit hardcore!

    on Feb. 14, 2013, 11:30 p.m.
  • SumitRidhal said:

    I've been coding for last few months . And i found a lots of text editor.

    All the editor provide the same means of editing your code.I thought a best editor must provide spell checkers, suggestions, preview your code etc;.Though any of the complicated fuction is not supported with the basic text editors.To use these functions we need a web design software like Dreamveaver or web Studio.

    I'm not suggesting you to use those since you are native to this language(HTML).

    There are lots of text editor.But i found Notepad++ quite interesting because

    -It is simple to use.

    -Easy to install and work with.

    -It's a freeware tool.

    Notepad++ is what provide all the basic needs a native developer need.

     

    on Feb. 10, 2013, 3:53 a.m.
  • davex said:

    Good lawd,

    Looking for a text editor is like shopping for a car, there are so many, and each one claims it's the best. I checked out a bunch of forums and comparison pages by text editor fanatics and each one had a different favorite.

    I've narrowed it down to a couple and have particular reasons for wanting to try each one out. Ultimately it will come down to that, trying them out... eventually. 

    That being said, for the purposes of this exercise I will be diving head first into BBedit. I'm on a Mac so it makes sense and it is one that was "highly" recommended repetitively as I went scouting through page after page on my quest for the ultimate editor.

    Also this demo vid with it's choice music selection sold me on it :) Whoever put this together sure has a sense of humour: 

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNtiRWQO8uo

     

     

    on Feb. 8, 2013, 11:15 a.m.
  • Amanda C said:

    I have a MacBook so I have not used Notepad.  I did not even know about Terminal so I checked it out.  For one of my Interactive Media classes I downladed Text Wrangler from the Apple store.  I highly recommend it for Mac users, I really like it.  It is easy to use and you can also edit CSS on it.

    on Jan. 28, 2013, 4:57 p.m.
  • Hermgirl said:

    I've tried notepad ++, but it didn't make me as happy as regular old notepad; maybe that's because I wasn't doing very sophisticated code, though.

    Since my laptop has decided to go caput, I decided to try an app for my tablet called 920 Text Editor.  I'm going to try that, and probably use Google or Zoho Docs as well.

    on Jan. 22, 2013, 1:19 a.m.
  • KillerMoose said:

    I'm with a lot of the other people who have commented recently. I've been using Notepad++ for almost 3 years now and I have loved it the entire time.

    on Jan. 14, 2013, 5:21 a.m.
  • ugly_stick said:

    Personally I use Bluefish for web programming, however on GNU/Linux I've always used both Vim AND Emacs. Vim for day to day scripting, but Emacs for larger projects and fun :)

    That said, I still stand by Bluefish for web programming on Windows and Linux. I'm sure it aould work on OSX, but I dont have a Mac to find out.

    on Jan. 10, 2013, 5:27 p.m.
  • Senua said:

    I used HTML-Kit for years, as it's handy and colours in the tags for you which makes editing easier. I find I don't even really need that any more, and coded my last few pages just in noptepad, so I'm going to try Notepad ++ from now on.

    on Jan. 7, 2013, 6:51 p.m.
  • Kal_Rad said:

    Windows Notepad and Notepad++ are all I ever use anymore. They are amazing tools to hardcode your source files. Notepad++ Can be virtually customized to almost any programming language you code in. Very good tools and worth the download in my opinion.enlightened

    on Jan. 4, 2013, 11:19 a.m.
  • Eenvincible said:

    I have used all kinds of text editors but I have now settled with Aptana Studio which is really cool so far! You can download one for free by searching for Aptana Studio on google! You will love it or love it - yeah, it is not a typo, it is that good!

    See you around guys: here is my crazy good blog:

    http://www.simpledeveloper.wordpress.com

    Thanks

    on Dec. 27, 2012, 3:15 p.m.
  • Broderick Reyes said:

    At first I used Notepad. I've installed Notepad++ and am loving it so far.

    on Dec. 19, 2012, 3:44 p.m.