Hand Coding vs. Using Software

Squibbit · #1 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 04:43 PM

What do you prefer?

Do you prefer to use notepad, or do you prefer to use FrontPage, Dreamweaver etc.?

Why do you prefer this method?

Personally, I prefer hand coding, although I find it infinitely slower (I've been known to use Dreamweaver for speed purposes), I feel it helps me learn from my mistakes better.

ssmorgan · #2 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 05:00 PM

definitely hand-coding for me!

I would not consider myself a designer, though... Typically, I find a template I like, I customize it, then run with it.

Sherif

James · #3 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 05:16 PM

Glad to learn I am not the only one here with a preference for hand coding. As I have indicated before I use NoteTab Pro for html and Topstyle Lite (free) for css running them side by side. By inserting the code phrases for you with single clicks, like "<blockquote></blockquote>," from a menu on the side they speed things up a lot over, say, regular NoteTab. In a case like the one mentioned, if you select first it will put the selection inside the code beginning and closing.

I don't see anything wrong with using templates to work from or anything, I just like to see what I am doing and being able to understand it as I go so I can make any changes I want on the page, especially with positioning or spacing and the like.

lisa · #4 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 06:38 PM

Even though I use software and usually recommend it for beginners, I learned to code most of the common HTML codes by hand and started with Notepad before I used an editor. It's nice to learn the basics because it helps with troubleshooting.

It's sort of like driving a car. You don't have to know everything about what's under the hood when the car is working fine, but when something goes wrong it's good to have some knowledge of the nuts and bolts on the inside.

TechieGuy · #5 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 08:24 PM

Hand coding all the way for me. I like the control...total control...absolute control...now where was I...oh yes...I prefer hand coding.

lisa · #6 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 08:28 PM

LOL, TG!

Lajocar · #7 (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 01:09 AM

hand coding is great, but if WYSIWYG editors is also good

I use both

Squibbit · #8 (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisa

It's sort of like driving a car. You don't have to know everything about what's under the hood when the car is working fine, but when something goes wrong it's good to have some knowledge of the nuts and bolts on the inside.

I actually like this analogy a lot.

Typically starting out as a designer rather than a coder I found a lot of the time designs weren't actually feasible when coding, there were a few elements that weren't able to be transferred into code, or the design was to intricate or complicated to be coded as I'd initially hoped. So by learning basic HTML as a starting point, it helped me to develop a better sense of what works, I think.

Then of course, the ability to transfer that knowledge into templates themselves (and subsequently open up a wealth of opportunities for auctioning/selling templates) with HTML/CSS came with that.

ydx · #9 (**permalink**) 05-27-2008, 03:59 PM

I tried using Dreamweaver, however, by the time I knew it existed I was already hand coding so that it seemed easier for me to code by hand than to use software.

Hand coding is a challenge for there are many things web design software does but I don't know if any educates the users of what is being done. If used improperly, web designing software will only harm the outcome of a site if one does not understand the code produced.

Bina · #10 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 05:28 AM

I like hand coding but I would definitely use a software like Dreamweaver to do
it.

It reduces mistakes and speeds up the process. I can see things color coded
and when I make a mistake, the "red" stares me right in the face, instead of
me having to go through line by line where I went wrong.

I admit I'm a bit spoilt now. I have Dreamweaver closing my tags automatically
for me. Though I know I could probably still create a site with Notepad, I thinkI'll stay clear of it for now.

It's like learning how to drive a manual but buying an automatic car. You know
that if there's an emergency, you can still drive a manual.

Warm regards,
Bina.

Great Elephant · #11 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechieGuy

Hand coding all the way for me. I like the control...total control...absolute control...now where was I...oh yes...I prefer hand coding.

Classic

Hey TG can I join your fan club?

TechieGuy · #12 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Hey TG can I join your fan club?

Sure you can. Just remember that I have absolute control over the fan club.

Luci · #13 (**permalink**) 05-31-2008, 03:26 PM

If it's just simple XHTML or CSS, then hand coding. I know nothing about PHP though, so when it comes to that I'm clueless.

Jewel · #14 (**permalink**) 06-12-2008, 11:07 AM

I have been trying hard to learn HTML and a little about CSS so I can make my transition to upload your own html in SBI. I have been using Notetab Lite to program my pages (thanks James for all you encouragement with this). Between Notetab and HTMLDOG tutorials I know a lot more than I did six months ago

It seems quite easy this way...all the commands are off to the side on a bar and I just have to highlight my text and click on it to insert the codes.

I then go to the browser and open the file to see what it looks like. I keep the file open as I work in Notetab and when I make changes I just hit refresh to see what I have done.

How does this differ from using something like Kompozer or Coffeecup? I had figured eventually I would "graduate" to Dreamweaver, but as a complete coding newbie, this is going okay for me and I am not sure what I am missing out on at this point?

I am trying to decide if I should change or not...I never liked Notepad at all and preferred to do my writing in Word, saving as a text file and then copying and pasting into Block Builder.

Now I am using this and I like it a little better. I will end up putting most of one page into one block at the rate I am going.

One of the problems I found when writing my pages in Word and then copying and pasting was that once the page is uploaded there are always little tweaks and jimmies that need to be done and it was way too much trouble to go and do them in Word, then copy and paste again, then build it and see..so many times I would just end up making all of these changes right in Block Builder. Then I was stressing because by the time the true page was uploaded, I didn't have an accurate back up copy..my text file was very different from the uploaded file.

I find it much easier to do all of this in Notetab and see it in the browser, make all the changes there...and then upload the final copy.

Now that I understand a little more about this process...what am I missing out on by doing it in Notetab instead of Kompozer, Coffeecup, or Dreamweaver???

On a regular basis I am trying to talk myself into sticking with writing more content now and at least hitting the 30-page mark before I start the transition. I am itching to try out CSS and upload my own...and not have to change little things on every page....but I always seem to be doing something to distract myself from the content process.

I am spending lots of time, more time than I should, learning about the whole process of CSS and HTML and visual effects (I am leaning towards AJ's template) because I really like that professional look of the CSS sites....but I am constantly working to refocus myself (with great effort) to get back to writing instead of anything else.

lisa · #15 (**permalink**) 06-12-2008, 12:45 PM

The other programs probably aren't much different than what you're using, Jewel. Can you preview your design as you work in the program or do you always have to save and preview it in a browser? If not, that's probably one of the bigger differences. The other editors you mentioned have a Design and Code view so you don't have to open a new browser to see your changes. Although I like to make a habit of previewing it in a browser anyway because sometimes the Design views in these editors are not completely accurate.

Dreamweaver probably has more support for CSS and other advanced features but if you feel you are comfortable with what you're using then you may find that's all you need.

WB Sponsors