Should DreamWeaver be in my front-end workflow?

Question

I want to speed up the development time of website layouts. So I'm wondering if it is useful to use DreamWeaver for layouts. I am looking to purchase this software, so I had a few questions.

I find it very convenient to encode HTML, CSS and JavaScript (jQuery) manually in either PHPDesigner or Notepad ++. In most cases for layouts, I use FireFox and Firebug to view the results in real time, and then check if it works in different browsers.

I want to know the opinion of the people who worked in the interface:

• I feel that code validation is important, but not the end of the world (like my priorities). However, I like to frequently change my code manually. Does it get out of this software? (Compare with html / css that micosoft word vomits - does this software do a similar thing?)
• Is this software used as the main design tool by people who can program manually and does it really increase efficiency? or is it just for beginners?

I understand that the Adobe product family works great with each other, but I'm trying to understand that DreamWeaver really deserves to be in the front-end workflow (if you can manually code).

Answer 1

Once you work with HTML / CSS / Javascript enough, this isn’t easy "by hand", but it is important to remember that front-end developers also code with their own eyes. There are many events that are completely dependent on the code that runs on the client, and you want to use an editor that helps you organize your code and, more importantly, gives you an idea of ​​the problems associated with complex CSS, and adhere to web standards.

If coding the foreground was nothing more than clicking on angle brackets, then notepad and repeatedly pressing F5 would be enough. A great web editor will present the structure of your code in a meaningful way, and all your HTML, CSS and Javascript will be fully felt.

You need a professional editor that will allow you to:

• Understand CSS Inheritance
• Run visual diagnostics
• Debugging in different browsers
• Create modern layouts / designs that are faithfully presented

I haven't used Dreamweaver in a few years, but these days I really like Microsoft Expression Web . This is not a mess of previous years FrontPage is a serious web design tool, and I highly recommend that you take a close look. The code is clean and smart, and it certainly gives you the opportunity to use its tools to create a site, or you can encode everything 100% manually. Remember that the key does not decide which editor is best suited for manual coding. The thing you should look for is an editor that will make you a better developer.

Whether you're a Microsoft person, LAMP, or another platform, Expression Web is a great tool for front-end developers.

Answer 2

I have been using Dreamweaver for several years now. Although I originally used some of its code generators, these days I spend a lot of my time coding widow code manually and looking at the output in a browser. The design window is well suited for simple coding, as it will build html for you. However, I had problems with the correct insertion point to edit it. For example, he can put my update before and after the tag when I want it to be after it. This made me switch to the coding window to be sure.

I like the fact that it opens all the included files specified in the file you open. I also use its site views to synchronize my changes with the production server. I am sure that I can take advantage of other functions if I learn to study them. I have not used any tools other than FrontPage, so I can not compare.

Answer 3

The best thing that happened to me was related to Eclipse , and then after Aptana . I used notepad ++ for everything, but now I am doing everything with eclipse and aptana as a plugin for eclipse. Only my 2 cents. Oh and its free .

Answer 4

First of all, I use Adobe Dreamweaver when working on websites. This is a pretty good tool to use with Adobe Photoshop for any graphic designs that I create.

In addition, I use Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 to develop web applications (e.g. console applications, web applications, Silverlight, etc.). VS is slightly different from DW, but its still a good tool for development projects.

Alison, I watched a preview of Expression Web and can check it out. This can help as an impressive tool for my front-end development work. I also tried Microsoft Expression Blend when developing Silverlight applications. This reminds you of what an Expression Web expression looks like.