Over the past few weeks I’ve been looking for a code editor to use for development. I’ve been using Dreamweaver for the shear fact that I’ve just gotten used to it. When I began in web development over a decade ago, I started using Dreamweaver for the WYSIWYG capabilities along with the database integration of the software. As I’ve matured as a developer, I no longer use the WYSIWYG feature of the software and have started custom coding all of my php and database code. I used to use tons of components within Dreamweaver to get some features online and functional fast. However, as I’ve had clients ask for some customization of some of those features, I’ve come to prefer to custom code everything to allow easier customizations.

I’ve tried quite a few free and commercial editors recently.  The one I have decided to move forward with is the Aptana Studio Community Edition.  This one has all of the features that I’ll speak of below.  The best feature of all is that Aptana Studio Community is FREE!  You can’t beat that.  They offer a full paid version for $99 at the time of this writing, but the added features are not something that I feel I need at this time.  There is a JSON editor included in the full paid version, but not necessary for my work.  JSON is simple enough to follow, so I feel paying the money for that support is not justified.

So, in regards to code editors. I needed something with quite a few features. I hate to use various software programs to work within a file. I like to have one program that can do it all. This, of course, has always been a challenge. Listed below are the features that I required for my work flexibility:

• Syntax Highlighting
  • XHTML
  • CSS
  • JavaScript
  • PHP (via a plug-in)
  • XML
• Automatic Code Collapse
• Code Helpers
• Snippets Support
• Macros Support
• FTP Support
• SVN Support

Syntax Highlighting

First of all, as any code editor worth it’s time, syntax highlighting is important. I work in various languages (as all developers do) and need to have syntax highlighting for each of these languages.

Automatic Code Collapse

To work more efficiently, I collapse blocks of code in which I don’t necessarily need to see details at that time. This was the big push away from Dreamweaver. You can collapse code in DW CS3, but you have to highlight the code first. This means you have to find the beginning of the code block, highlight all the way to the end of the code block, and then collapse the code.  the Aptana Studio will collapse code blocks automatically based on opening and closing brackets.  This is a quick and easy method to hide sections that aren’t relevant at that time.  This doesn’t seem like a huge feature until you actually use it.  It can be a great time saver!

Code Helpers

OK, this is the feature that mostly sold me on Aptana Studio!  Most code editors have code helpers, however, not close to the support that is integrated into Aptana Studio.  Code helpers are those little pop-ups as you’re typing code that tell you the proper syntax of the code you’re typing.  With Aptana, you not only get the syntax in the pop-up, you also get the documentation to go along with the basic information.  This is a great feature to speed up your coding as well as allow you to learn as you work.  When you start typing code functions that you’re not familiar with, you can learn about it directly in the code window rather than going to any online documentation.

Even more useful is the ScriptDoc support in Aptana Studio.  This is a way you can write the code helper into your own code.  If you frequently write your own functions, then you can add the same code helper functionality by using specific comments in your code.  If you write a function with three parameters and two of those parameters should be strings and one should be an integer, you’ll be reminded of that while you code.  You won’t have to open the file with the function in it to refresh your memory.  This could be my most favorite feature!

Snippets Support

Any developer reuses code that they’ve written before.  Via the snippets support, you can add that code quickly.  This is an essential feature for any code editor.  Aptana has native snippets support, so I don’t have to use one of those snippet widgets.

Macros Support

I don’t use macros very often, but have found them very useful for a few tasks.  With Aptana Studio, you can record macros, save them and play them back.  A nice feature to have available, although not a deal breaker for me.

FTP Support

I do quite a lot of my updates directly on the server and like to have a quick and efficient way to upload/download files from within the code editor.  I prefer to have it integrated into the editor so I don’t have to keep alt-tabbing between an FTP program and the code editor.  This is mostly for efficiency, but an important feature for me.

Subversion Support

I use versioning support through Subversion and like to have the integration from within my code editor.  Dreamweaver has Subversion support through an extension that I had gotten pretty accustomed to, so I needed a code editor with integrated support.

I’ve found this to be a great software program and have only used it for a couple of weeks now.  I may find some trade-offs as I work more intimately with the software, but I’m definitely going to give it a full fighting chance.  If anyone has any other help for great code editors, please let me know!

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After much work and testing, we’ve finally released CheerMix Download to the public.  We’re excited to see this project get started and already have plans for a version 2 of the application!  You can visit the site at:

http://cheermixdownload.com

Thanks!

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OK, I’ve finally forced myself to take the time and develop a custom theme for the blog. I’m hoping to create more of a branding with this new theme as this site will serve not only as my professional blog, but also my portfolio. With this redesign, I’ve incorporated a new logo, I’ve incorporated my gravatar image, and moved to a more neutral color base, accented with orange links and headings. I welcome any comments on the theme that you may have.

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Soon, I’ll be adding a few tips and techniques that I’ve learned with integrating Prototype and Scriptaculous into some sites that I have had a hand in developing.  My aim is to utilize many different aspects of the frameworks to help others to integrate these amazing tools into their projects.  I’m a big fan of this tandem for various reasons, but mostly because of the ease of cross browser/platform development.  In the past, I’ve shied away from extensive JavaScript development because of the browser inconsistencies - utilizing mostly server based technologies.  With the use of these frameworks, I’m able to develop a more usable interface in my projects and it has really opened the door to opportunities that would be impossible solely with server-side scripting.  For example, a current project of mine, CheerMix Download, makes heavy use of each of these frameworks.  Without the client-side interaction, this site would never work.

In the works

Some of the topics I have planned for inclusion are:

• Drag and Drop Reordering of Pages Wordpress Plugin (Sortables, Ajax, Server-Side Scripting)
• A Basic Page Layout Module (Drag and Drop, Ajax, Cookies/DB Integration)
• Using XML and JSON with Ajax
• Event Listeners for Unobtrusive JavaScript

These are just the first topics that I plan to discuss.  If you have any requests for a topic, please let me know in the comments section.

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Create Sample Cheerleading Music Mix | CheerMix Download

OK, I’m still putting the finishing touches on the CheerMix Download Application, but I wanted to allow users to sample the application and try to create a little bit of buzz about the site. I’ve decided to open the home page, along with a watered-down version of the application, and invite users to test the application. Specific pages like the sign up and log in pages are still closed, but the main sample page and some support pages are open to the public.

I’ve implemented an email list for users to subscribe in which they’ll receive notifications through the blog entries. I welcome anyone to try out the sample application and leave any feedback. Thanks!

Online Cheerleading Music Mix Downloads

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Wow, I’ve been way too busy recently with a number of projects.  Currently in the works are a couple of site redesigns and a full site development that have kept me from updating the blog.  However, I’m getting through the mess a little better and am working on a couple of posts.  Anyway, let me introduce you to the new projects I’m talking about.

1. CheerMix Download  (http://cheermixdownload.com)
   This is a site that I’ve really been excited about and will run and maintain myself.  In the competitive cheerleading industry, music mixes are a necessary addition to a squad’s/team’s routines.  This site allows coaches, choreographers, sponsors, etc. to arrange professionally mixed music sections into a full mix for use at performances and competitions.  The interface is a Drag and Drop sortable list of music sections developed with the use of Prototype and Scriptaculous.  Previewing of music is done via JavaScript and the SoundManager2 script.  Once a user gets the sections arranged in an order that works for their routine, they can create a high-quality downloadable MP3 file of the mix.  There currently is no support for limited browsers and no plans to include that support.
2. Pet Connect Online (http://petconnectonline.com)
   This site was developed by a friend and colleague of mine.  His father runs the business and he maintains the online presence.  Recently, traffic and conversions have been dropping and the administrators feel a rebranding of site and image are due.  I’ll be handling most of the graphic redesign and CSS required for the new look.

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I’ve updated the xooAnalytics Wordpress plugin.  It now allows you to exclude your internal domain from tracking results via the options page.  Take a look:  http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/xooanalytics/

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OK, one of my favorite navigational schemes is the breadcrumbs list.  I like it’s ease of use in developing and presenting to the user, and I like the quick visual that it gives a user as to the hierarchical structure of the site.  One great little script that I ran across is called Cookie Crumbs.  Here is the script in a nutshell:

• This script keeps track of where a user has been via cookies read and written in JavaScript
• It is a true list of your trail history (much like the browser’s history, but you can see it visually)
  Most breadcrumbs scripts list the site hierarchy, not the true user history
• Easily configurable - the list is written to the screen through JavaScript and formatted with CSS
• Unobtrusive, if a user doesn’t have JavaScript enabled, they’ll not see the list at all

Take a look at the script here:  http://www.tomcoote.co.uk/JavaScriptCookieCrumbs.aspx

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OK, so I’m looking at my shelf and I notice that almost 1/5 of the books I have deal in CSS hacks.  I’ve spent many a night reading through these books trying to find the right hack to make a 1-pixel difference in a design for a browser that is being used by only 5% of my clients’ visitors.  Now, many of you will say that I shouldn’t go through so much trouble to accommodate just a few visitors and I would agree with you.   However, if I tell my clients that their site will look great in specific browsers, then I’m going to make sure that it does. … Read the rest of this entry »

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OK, usually when I’m scouring the web, I’m not in an ‘entertain me’ kind of mode. I’m looking for a solution to a development problem, seeing what other developers are up to, and whatnot. However, this post just struck me as pretty funny. Please take a look and let the author know how you feel!

Four cases it’s OK to use the F-word

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