Install an HTML Text Editor

Learning Objectives

Identify desirable features in an HTML editor.
Compare two or more HTML editors.
Report your comparison to other participants of this class
Select an HTML editor for your personal use
Summarize the reason(s) that led you to choose your specific editor
Use your editor to produce a simple HTML page

Task Materials

For this course we need an HTML editing tool. There are many to choose from. We do not need many advanced features for this basic course so pick a simple text editor with syntax highlighting.

Online HTML editors

There are several HTML editors that you can use in your web browser:

Mozilla Thimble - Recommended to use on this course. Provides direct visual feedback, syntax highlighting, and easy publishing.
HTML Pad (Mozilla online HTML editor)
JS Fiddle (JavaScript, CSS, and HTML editor online)

Free/Open Source Text Editors

The following text editors have syntax highlighting and are Free/Open Source tools:

Bluefish (GNU/Linux, Mac OSX, Microsoft Windows)
Geany (GNU/Linux, Microsoft Windows)
gEdit (GNU/Linux, Mac OSX, Microsoft Windows)
jEdit (GNU/Linux, Mac OSX,Microsoft Windows)
Notepad++ (Microsoft Windows)

Advanced Integrated Development Environments (IDEs)

Aptana Studio
Brackets (GNU/Linux, Mac OSX, Microsoft Windows)
Eclipse IDE for JavaScript Web Developers

Task Discussion

flatpack March 28, 2012, 6:08 a.m.

I've installed Notepadd++ on my PC as it is the program we use with pupils on the school network. I like the ability to minimise sections of code to help you focus on the section you are working with.

Using Gedit on my ubuntu netbook and playinig with htmlpad and jsfiddle online.

Preference is for notepad++ but this is probably just familiarity
Unknown March 14, 2012, 2:25 p.m.

I've tried both Coda and Textmate but Sublime Text 2 just seemed to hit the spot for me especially since the thing is 100% free.
Mr. Plow March 8, 2012, 2:46 p.m.

I decided to use Komodo Edit on Mac. I have Komodo Edit installed and have used it for some work tasks already. It supports HTML5 and other markup/programming languages, and organizes files into projects, which is helpful.
JuanMa Ruiz March 7, 2012, 5:42 a.m.

I just installed Coda, a powerfull editor for mac. Before it I used to use Dreamweaver as code editor.
Justfinethanku March 1, 2012, 4 p.m.

I Just installed TextWrangler from the Mac App store and it seems to be a really decent HTML editor. (I checked all the reviews and everyone else seems to love it too.)
wm00 Feb. 13, 2012, 12:09 a.m.

Does anyone else use TextWrangler? How do you like it?
Justfinethanku March 1, 2012, 3:37 p.m.
In Reply To: wm00 Feb. 13, 2012, 12:09 a.m.

I just downloaded it from the App store on my MacBook and it works **perfect** I'd highly recommend it.

I'm sure you've already discovered that textedit on the Mac doesn't really work very well.
Julio Garcia Feb. 8, 2012, 12:44 p.m.

I chose Notepad + + because it seemed very simple and straightforward. Initially I tried Dreamweaver but I realized that is complex and produces code automatically, so it's not good to learn HTML. In the future I can say more of this editor.
joe palmer Feb. 8, 2012, 3:02 p.m.
In Reply To: Julio Garcia Feb. 8, 2012, 12:44 p.m.

Right Julio, best to learn by hand than move to a software like Dreamweaver or Expression. That way when you want to make a change, you have the skiill to know what it is doing and what to change. Nice blog.
jamesweaver Feb. 7, 2012, 6:33 p.m.

I've been using Notepad++ for a couple years now. I love it! I can't see switching anytime soon. You can check out my work at columbus-ohio-web-designer.com
joe palmer Feb. 8, 2012, 3:11 p.m.
In Reply To: jamesweaver Feb. 7, 2012, 6:33 p.m.

James I use Notepad++ also. Your web site has much to offer to students here, I have subscribed, thanks!
Devinciweb Feb. 10, 2012, 1:05 p.m.
In Reply To: jamesweaver Feb. 7, 2012, 6:33 p.m.

nice portfolio.

and mostly self taught I read.

inspiring.

and congrats on the new job.

(you might wanna correct one typo i caught in the portfolio section under the Community College....contrasting is the word)
Devinciweb Feb. 3, 2012, 11:21 a.m.

I chose Bluefish since I'm working on Max OSX

Here's a link to the task:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/60089935/firstbluefishfile.html
joe palmer Feb. 3, 2012, 11:36 a.m.
In Reply To: Devinciweb Feb. 3, 2012, 11:21 a.m.

Put the closing </html> tag at the end and perfect!

By the way, that is working off of the html in the doctype tag.
Sarah Jan. 31, 2012, 9:27 p.m.

Now have the Notepad ++ and looking forward to participating!
jamiedmattingly Jan. 30, 2012, 4:36 p.m.

notepad++ works pretty good for me so far
Jack Jan. 30, 2012, 1:41 p.m.

Hi, I have installed Notepad++ and started using it.
Luis Sierra Jan. 27, 2012, 8:43 p.m.

I am used to code with Notepad++, but sometimes i use Eclipse or Netbeans for bigger projects
John Y. Jan. 26, 2012, 5:20 p.m.

Gonna keep using Notepad++ for now. I'm satisfied with its features
Smythe Jan. 26, 2012, 7:47 a.m.

I already had Notepad++ installed from taking part in another course, so I'll stick with that.
Vlad Anghel Jan. 25, 2012, 1:48 p.m.

I installed Notepad++. That's what works best for me
JMBaker Jan. 25, 2012, 5:09 p.m.
In Reply To: Vlad Anghel Jan. 25, 2012, 1:48 p.m.

I recently installed CoffeeCup HTML Editor (free version). Pretty nice. There is a commercial version as well with lots of additional features.
Mary Ann Jan. 25, 2012, 1:12 p.m.

I installed Notepad++, but I've also got Dreamweaver, which I'm pretty used to.
angelica Jan. 24, 2012, 4:50 p.m.

What is the best text editor program for Mac?
Brylie Oxley Jan. 24, 2012, 8:56 p.m.
In Reply To: angelica Jan. 24, 2012, 4:50 p.m.

Blue Griffon runs on Mac and has good support for HTML5, CSS3, etc.
J R Bennett Jan. 24, 2012, 9:14 p.m.
In Reply To: angelica Jan. 24, 2012, 4:50 p.m.

Komodo Edit is my choice on a Mac.

JRB