Free HTML, CSS and Javascript editors
Written / Updated by Thomas Skov IversenWhen developing your own website, there are several different editors to choose from. Some are free while others cost money. Here at BeginnerTuts.com we have constructed a list containing editors that we can recommend - Just pick the one you find best for your own needs! All the editors mentioned below can both handle HTML, CSS and Javascript - One of them do not support PHP though. In addition, the final point on our list is not an editor in the traditional sense, but you will see the difference by reading the article.
Adobe Dreamweaver (NOT free)
When speaking of writing HTML, CSS, Javascript or PHP, it is impossible not to mention Dreamweaver. Dreamweaver is a fantastic editor for writing HTML, CSS, PHP and Javascript, as it offers many convenient functions and features that will make your life as a developer much easier.
Dreamweaver is unfortunately very expensive, and it is therefore far from everyone who can afford to use it! Besides HTML, CSS and Javascript Dreamweaver also supports PHP and MySQL. Even though we will not be using Dreamweaver in our video tutorials you will still, as a Dreamweaver user, be able to attend our free video courses. The codes, syntax and approach are namely exactly the same no matter what editor you are using. Because it is possible to "draw" a website in Dreamweaver, it is usually used by individuals who don't want to mess around with codes.
If you wish to write your website pages from scratch, dreamweaver is not a must, as you can do this in several other editors as well - Editors which are basically build for coding.
Notepad++
If you cant afford dreamweaver, then Notepad++ is a great and free alternative! Notepad++ do however not have any of the helpful features provided by Dreamweaver. For that reason, you will need to put in a little extra work when developing your site in Notepad++. On the other hand you will, when using Notepad++, really learn the codes and the syntax, which will be an advantage if you at some point in time wish to commence in a major website project! Notepad++ also supports PHP and MySQl
You can download Notepad++ for free here
CoffeCup HTML editor
CoffeCup is another alternative to the expensive Dreamweaver. Coffecup is also provided in a free version, and it has many of the same features as Dreamweaver. The editor offers more than 20.000 pictures, icons and animated GIF pictures, which you can use free of charge on your site.
One of the brilliant features in CoffeCup is the code hint generator, which will help you insert and edit code quickly and without mistakes. As you type characters in your tag, you will see a list of candidates that automatically complete your entry - this feature is also found in Dreamweaver. Coffecup will also help you insert pictures and links by securing the use of the right paths. CoffeCup do not support PHP, so if you are considering using PHP then one of the following editors would be your preferred choice. CoffeCup is a great and user-friendly editor for beginners!
You can download it for free here
NetBeans IDE
Last but not least we have NetBeans IDE. Traditionally NetBeans is a specialized PHP editor. NetBeans can however function as a super powerful HTML, CSS, Javascript and PHP editor. Netbeans is developed in corporation with Oracle, and it is a highly professional and free alternative to Dreamweaver. Netbeans will be able to offer you the same code hints as in Dreamweaver and CoffeCup. In addition Netbeans will show you possible syntax errors
Since Netbeans is developed specifically for PHP, you will naturally be very well equipped for writing PHP with this editor. Netbeans is also the editor we will be using in our HTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP and MySQL tutorials, as it supports all major languages
NetBeans can also be recommended for beginners who might want to try out some PHP and MySQL at some point.
In our first HTML video tutorial for beginners we will show you How to install and use Netbeans
CMS - Content management systems
If you are not that into writing all your codes yourself and much rather want to focus on the visual appearance of the site, then a CMS is the right choice for you. A CM system is not an editor like the ones mentioned above, but rather a page content management system which you can access online.
By using this system you can "draw" and "build" your own website using a wide range of plugins and elements provided by the system. You can think of a CM system as a large box of Lego bricks, where you can pick and choose what bricks you want to build your site from. Another way of explaining what a CMS system is, is to look at it as a regular text editing software like word, where you can write text and insert pictures directly from a standard control panel. With a CMS system, it is therefore possible to build and maintain a website without any technical coding knowledge.
CMS is great choice if you are a beginner. On this page: CMS we will provide you with additional information about content management systems
NB.
The majority of content management systems, especially open source, are build using PHP and MySQl. It is therefore recommended that you learn the basics behind PHP and MySQl before creating any websites using content management systems. For your convenience BeginnerTuts.com offers a crash course for beginners in both PHP and MySQl.
Watch them here:
Free PHP video tutorials for beginner
Free MySQL video tutorials for beginner
REMEMBER
No matter what editor or system you choose to develop your site in, our free video tutorials will always be able to help you. The codes, syntax and approach are namely exactly the same no matter what editor or system you are using.
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