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.

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