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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


  • litlsuzzy said:

    I'm going to give Notepad++ a shot.

    on Feb. 1, 2015, 10:37 a.m.
  • Pranjal said:

    use notepad ++ 

    best one for windows.

    on Dec. 16, 2014, 12:56 p.m.
  • Alfie604 said:

    Hello there, I have "Textedit, under Mac OS X.

    on Nov. 11, 2014, 10:58 p.m.
  • LoloDelga said:

    Hello everyboby

    I'm using Notepad++.

    It's a great texteditor with nice colors to describe html files.

     

    on Aug. 29, 2014, 9:07 a.m.
  • elanslist said:

    I just downloaded and installed notebook ++ based on the recommendations here.

    on Aug. 18, 2014, 7:39 p.m.
  • Mircea said:

    My favourite text editor is Kate.

    on Aug. 11, 2014, 10:56 a.m.
  • Pachelbel117 said:

    Open Windows Notepad from the Start Menu by using Run to type in "notepad".

    on Aug. 2, 2014, 1:27 a.m.
  • Icarus said:

    Notepad for me~!

    on June 22, 2014, 3:55 a.m.
  • DaveB said:

    I had been using notepad and then I upgraded an old win XP laptop to run Debian and found gedit which is way better than using notepad. I would recommend gedit over notepad as it has a lot more useful features and is also a free downloand on windows.

    on June 14, 2014, 2:18 p.m.

    alan said:

    i will try your recommendation Debian

    thanks

    Alan

    on June 15, 2014, 11:14 p.m. in reply to DaveB
  • Joy Jackson said:

    My weapon of choice will be Dreamweaver. We've been going steady since the 90's, so why bust up a good thing?

    on June 3, 2014, 12:57 p.m.
  • David K. Besah said:

    I have Notepad++. I hope it will help me.

    on June 2, 2014, 10:10 p.m.
  • Lawfulvil said:

    Using OSX Mavericks most of the time and found VIM to be Uck!. I'll use TextWrangler http://www.barebones.com/products/textwrangler/ because I've used it in the past and found it meets my needs. It will automataclly close your tags, indent your tags and much more. When I use Windows I like Notepad++

    on May 19, 2014, 4:44 p.m.
  • Anonym said:

    Dunno yet - got a Mac so maybe textedit

    on May 15, 2014, 2:59 p.m.
  • Johnny van der Laan said:

    Using notepadd++

    on May 12, 2014, 11:54 a.m.
  • Mawudoku Engelbert Nana yao said:

    notepad++ is wat am using.

    on April 27, 2014, 6:37 a.m.
  • OFORI said:

    i have notepad++ and that is what i will be using

    on April 27, 2014, 6:23 a.m.
  • Rey said:

    Coding html tags is pretty straight forward and I found it easier that other languages like css and js etc... You can start using a simple text editor like notepad or your can use the notepad++ that was intended for coding many languages. Notepad++ has my vote to be my weapon of choice. First it is simple yet powerful, secondly, it is FREE and contributed by community of developers. It supports many language of your choices like c,c++,python, html,css, cobol, sql to name a few.

    on March 29, 2014, 9:15 a.m.
  • aaron fritschen said:

    Time to use the old Notepad ++

    on March 26, 2014, 3:42 p.m.