I’m considering making some big switches in my workflow when it comes to web design and I need you help!
For a while I was using some free text editors for my PHP and CSS work. I first used PSPad and moved to Notepad++. It’s been so-so, it gets the job done, and I do like the version control. Being able to save a file, test it, and revert back to a file pre-save state is a total WIN.
Of course, just because a tool is free, doesn’t mean it’s lame or doesn’t work well, and there’s no guarantee that if you pay for an app, it’s going to be superior. However, when I look at some of the features apps like Coda and Espresso offer, I can’t help but wonder if it would really streamline and really help with web dev.
So, what do you use?
What do you like?
What do you recommend?
- Stick with Notepad++?
- Coda?
- Espresso?
- Something else?
Please, weigh-in!
James Cooper says
I’m a big coda fan. It’s simple, lovely to look at and have ftp & terminal built is very handy.
Eric Dye says
I wonder what you used!
Jeremy Smith says
I love to use Komodo Edit for the Mac.
Eric Dye says
I’ll have to look at that!
Mickey says
I like phpDesigner. I have a lot of small clients, and I’m constantly adding new credentials to the system. I like that this software can be “installed” in DropBox via a portable version. This means that I can grab any of my computers (desktop, laptop, netbook) and they all have every set of credentials built-in.
The features of the software are solid, but not perfect. However, it’s been worth it to me just for the ease of use. I’ve done the same with FileZilla (portable version) for the same reason. it helps a lot!
Eric Dye says
You got my attention when you said, “DropBox.”
Thanks, Mickey!
Daniel says
I kept hearing a lot of my fellow coders talk about Sublime Text 2, so I tried it out. It’s pretty impressive: very powerful, yet lightweight. I’ve been using Eclipse which is handy for certain languages but is huge in comparison.
Eric Dye says
Whoa!
I really like how the view works.
Micah says
Also a Coda fan. Been using it since it came out, and though it’s a bit dated now, I’m still enjoying it and thoroughly engrained it into my workflow.
Eric Dye says
More good words about Coda … thanks, Micah!
David Roux says
My development environment is comprised of the editor, the local server and the version control system.
Yesterday (PHP/SVN):
– Coda: sexy, quick to navigate.
– MAMP: a beast; terrible to update, but self-contained and reliable.
– Cornerstone: great for complex code merges.
Today (Rails/Git):
– TextMate: not as actively developed, but highly extensible through bundles.
– Pow: fast, modular local sites; best explained on their website, pow.cx.
– Terminal/GitHub/Kaleidoscope: I find Git simpler and more powerful from the CLI than SVN (TotalTerminal makes Terminal more magical). GitHub’s app is useful for simple commits/syncs. Kaleidoscope offers great visual code comparison; still missing code merging, unusual for the price.
Eric Dye says
Dude. That’s legit. Thanks man.
Charles Cherry says
Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate
Eric Dye says
😀
Josiah says
I’ve been using Espresso for a few years – got it as part of a Macheist bundle. I love it!
The integrated CSSEdit is by far the best real-time CSS editor I’ve seen. And the most recent version includes built-in cross browser support for several CSS3 properties like Gradients & Shadows.
Also the latest version has improved/simplified FTP server management. Save/Edit locally with undo history – but automatically publish to server with each save (can be toggled on/off).
Espresso can also be extended with ‘sugars’ (e.g., I downloaded the jQuery sugar for syntax suggestions as I type).
Jared Erickson says
i’m thinking of going back to espresso, started using coda because everyone i knew was using it.. with espresso 2 out now i’m super impressed by the speed, and miss so many of the lilttle features it offers over coda
Eric Dye says
I’m leaning this way.
Eric Dye says
Espresso sounds … well … sweet!
Eric J says
Notepad++ because of the built in FTP
Eric Dye says
Yeah. I’ve been using that add-on, too.
Raoul Snyman says
I don’t use Subversion, I use Bazaar, and there are few plugins for that. In any event, you never know exactly what they are doing anyways, so I prefer to just go with the command line.
For my Python development, I use Eric, which itself is written in Python. It’s a little daunting at first, but I remove all the toolbars and change some of the settings, and it’s pretty decent.
I also use vim fairly often.
To be honest, I’m just waiting for the Python plugin for KDevelop to filter into the repositories. I’ve used KDevelop for other development, and it completely rocks.
For pure Qt/C++ development, Qt Creator is great as well.
Eric Dye says
Dude.
Kyle says
I use Coda. Simple. Elegant. Works great for me.
Eric Dye says
Nice. 😀
Scott Lee says
Coda, MAMP, Git (via Tower).
Coda, because of the way it handles projects (sites). True, Coda has gotten a little dated, but they recently released a beta to a handful of developers. So a new version IS coming soon.
MAMP, because it’s quick and easy.
Git, because it’s lightweight and somewhat intuitive.
Eric Dye says
Hmmm. I like hearing about good project handling.
Jason Minton says
VIM over SSH via puTTY
Eric Dye says
O.K.
Drew Palko says
I might get laughed at for this… but I’m pretty new to coding… I just use Dashcode. Why? because it looks better than Notepad…. 😛 I often wish that we had a developer that worked here so I could just focus on graphics -.-
Eric Dye says
No laughing, here, Bro. 🙂
Stephen Peterson says
I’ve messed around with Aptana Studio a little bit. Looks like it works well.
Eric Dye says
Very cool. Will look at this closer.
Marek says
PHP/HTML/CSS/Ruby – Aptana IDE (lot of plugins that can really help you, direct work on ftp), it’s excellent development environment with many customization options. Before Aptana, i’ve been using PSPad but Aptana is lot advanced for web devs.
Java – Netbeans
C – Eclipse
C++ – Qt
C# – MSVS 2010
For all other files i’m using PSPad, it’s great piece of program.
And for version control – subversion, or filezilla ;D
Eric Dye says
Will check it out — 🙂
Mark says
Text Wrangler & FileZilla – Simples!
Eric Dye says
I’ll be checking out Text Wrangler. Running the Zilla currently.