I promise I won’t go poll crazy, but since we had so much fun with the CSS Skill Level poll I thought I’d open up a new one. This one asks for your CSS editor of choice.
If I have omitted anything major, let me know quick and I’ll add it to the poll before too many responses come in. Cast your vote in the sidebar. Sorry (again) for RSS readers, you’ll have to make the jump to vote.
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1
My editor of choice is text mate…
All the best, Oli
(graphic designer and web developer from germany…)
Comment by Oliver — January 8, 2008 @ 9:58 am
2
Coda.
Comment by jon — January 8, 2008 @ 9:59 am
3
On Windows I use Notepad++ or Microsoft Web Expression.
On OSX I use BBedit or Textmate.
Comment by xxdesmus — January 8, 2008 @ 10:06 am
4
Mostly e-text editor but sometimes Dreamweaver
Comment by Matt Polito — January 8, 2008 @ 10:09 am
5
I use a combination of Dreamweaver and the Web Developer extension for Firefox.
Comment by Daryn Haynes — January 8, 2008 @ 10:15 am
6
I used to use Dreamweaver only, for the syntax highlighting and autocomplete, but lately I’ve switched to Notepad++. Like Daryn, I also use the web developer toolbar for firefox, and the web developer toolbar for IE. I also use the Aardvark plugin for Firefox too, it’s not really a CSS editor, but you can use it to highlight different blocks and see if you forgot to close any tags, etc.
Comment by Lindsey — January 8, 2008 @ 10:22 am
7
By “highlighting” do you mean syntax coloring? VIM? I can’t be the only one…
Comment by Alex — January 8, 2008 @ 10:23 am
8
i use notepad++ and recently FreeCssToolbox
Comment by sw — January 8, 2008 @ 10:27 am
9
intype!
Comment by Timothy Long — January 8, 2008 @ 10:31 am
10
Dreamweaver is easy to use especially when doing coding for all other documents within the same pane. Trying to keep it simple.
Comment by gene — January 8, 2008 @ 10:33 am
11
TextMate and occasionally CSSEdit
Comment by Colin Scroggins — January 8, 2008 @ 10:41 am
12
CSSEdit rules.
I use Coda for writing my (X)HTML, but I always thought CSSEdit was a bit nicer to use for the CSS end. Saving milestones to turn back the code to previous versions, built in validation, and a nice DOM inspector make it nice. (albeit, CODA has a few of those things).
Comment by A.Fruit — January 8, 2008 @ 10:44 am
13
I use VI.
OK, yes, I know. Old habits are hard to kill.
I have started using Bluefish more, but I just cannot seem to break away from VI.
Comment by Erik — January 8, 2008 @ 10:52 am
14
Notepad always has and always will be the best for me. So much control over what you do.
Nowadays I use Programmer’s Notepad, however, but only because it has tabs. So you can work on many files in the same place. I use it with Autocomplete turned off, and CSS doesn’t even have syntax highlighting.
Comment by Hatkirby — January 8, 2008 @ 11:23 am
15
I use Notepad++ for the most part. But I also use Dreamweaver, once in a while, for it’s autocomplete functionality. I also use Firebug for figuring out what’s wrong in my page, in real time.
I’ll have to check out FreeCssToolbox.
Comment by Chris S. — January 8, 2008 @ 11:34 am
16
I forgot NVU!
Comment by Chris S. — January 8, 2008 @ 11:36 am
17
… and PSPad and AlleyCode
Comment by Chris S. — January 8, 2008 @ 11:40 am
18
If I start a design I use TopStyle because I can have IE and Firefox preview and the when It’s time to code I use e - Text Editor even for CSS, TopStyle it’s only to start.
Comment by Abraham Estrada — January 8, 2008 @ 11:42 am
19
I use Coda… since I use it for my HTML writing, I find it easier to stay within the same program to work on my CSS as well. I just use the text editing functionality for my CSS because I find the WYSIWYG CSS editor in Coda confusing… maybe it’s just me.
Comment by Dan Wroblewski — January 8, 2008 @ 11:47 am
20
On Windows : Notepad++
On Linux : Nedit
On Mac : CSSEdit
but i think i will try Coda soonly
Comment by Micecreations — January 8, 2008 @ 11:54 am
21
Homesite… really. I’m usually editing js or html at the same time so why open another editor?
Comment by Kyle Kinnaman — January 8, 2008 @ 12:05 pm
22
Top Style. I do the xhtml-coding in Top Style too.
Comment by chris Jangelov — January 8, 2008 @ 12:22 pm
23
UltraEdit for everything
Comment by John Schires — January 8, 2008 @ 12:40 pm
24
I write out all of my CSS in hex using pen and paper (in the dark of course!), then transfer to punch cards.
Seriously though, I used to use Textmate and then switched to CSS Edit a few months ago. Both are great options, but I really like the live-preview features of CSS Edit–enough to ditch the tight transmit integration and ability to handle multiple levels of tabbing that TM affords me.
I’ll use vim or pico if i’m making a quick-fix and I’m already SSH’d into my server, but beyond that I think that anybody still using notepad and the like should consider the immense productivity boost that tailor-made products can give you.
Comment by Jeff — January 8, 2008 @ 12:50 pm
25
Notepad++
Comment by Ricardo Dias — January 8, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
26
im a Coda guy. I really dig codas features.
Comment by matt — January 8, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
27
Dreamweaver w/ Firebug in FF.
Comment by Jesse — January 8, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
28
I use dreamweaver but I do all my coding by hand. I use dreamweaver bc of the color coding, the customizing of colors and so that i can see the updates to my page in dreamweaver. I like using the files menu and having all my sites organized that way. helps do any updates, image changes and cuts down on trouble shooting later. plus the browser compatibility test takes the cake.
Comment by David Sparks — January 8, 2008 @ 1:29 pm
29
CSSEdit, I really really love it.
I tried to get into Coda for CSS, but CSSEdit just kicks ass so much.
Comment by David Madden — January 8, 2008 @ 1:33 pm
30
I like to have one editor for everything.
That’s just one reason why I use Textmate for CSS, too.
Greets, Ingo
Comment by Ingo — January 8, 2008 @ 2:23 pm
31
E - Texteditor and Intype
Comment by Michel — January 8, 2008 @ 2:31 pm
32
Dreamweaver all the way. I hand code only and it handles all files well (.aspx, .asp, .php, .html, .txt, .ini, etc.), color codes, autofills and can be customized to exactly the way I want. Bonus - saves to hard drive and ftp simultaneously and checks to see which is more current so you don’t accidentally overwrite your work. One beautiful program that multi-tasks like a pro.
Comment by WanitaT — January 8, 2008 @ 2:47 pm
33
Microsoft Visual Studio 2008
Comment by Valamas — January 8, 2008 @ 2:57 pm
34
Visual Studio 2005/2008 — surprising awesome. I’ve used a lot listed above, but I alway come back to VS. It’s very fast, has great intellisense and does solid formatting.
Comment by Rich Sturim — January 8, 2008 @ 3:12 pm
35
I started with Dreamweaver (which I sometimes still use at home); then switched to Expression Web when I began work as a Web Designer. I sometimes use Notepad too, if it’s a single file.
Comment by Lazlow — January 8, 2008 @ 3:31 pm
36
For CSS editing only, CSS Edit is the way to go. The live preview, tabs, and auto-complete save me so much time.
Comment by Jonathan Longnecker — January 8, 2008 @ 3:32 pm
37
always NotePad
Comment by Jon — January 8, 2008 @ 3:38 pm
38
NotePad standard all the way!
Comment by Alex :: Web Design — January 8, 2008 @ 3:43 pm
39
I use CSSEdit and Textmate in combination with ZopeEditManager for live editing on our CMS.
Comment by Patrick — January 8, 2008 @ 3:53 pm
40
I use HTMLKit with integrated Top Style Lite.
Comment by Tadeusz Szewczyk — January 8, 2008 @ 4:05 pm
41
homesite and firebug
Comment by webmack — January 8, 2008 @ 4:30 pm
42
I use Top Style Lite and Notepad++
Comment by Michel — January 8, 2008 @ 5:00 pm
43
I love my Notepad++. I work for a professional web development company, and all I use is Notepad++.
Really, the only reason I love it so much is because there isn’t any bullshit. The interface is clean, there’s no distractions, the syntax highlighting works as you would expect it to, and it’s lightning fast.
Comment by Matt — January 8, 2008 @ 5:10 pm
44
Aptana
Comment by Country — January 8, 2008 @ 5:10 pm
45
Aptana, Dreamweaver, Notepad…….
Comment by Pedro Rogério — January 8, 2008 @ 5:24 pm
46
Textmate and Firebug, no question!
Comment by Harold — January 8, 2008 @ 5:35 pm
47
I use Coda for my CSS-Stuff
Comment by Witti — January 8, 2008 @ 6:00 pm
48
Notepad / EditPad Lite
Comment by koew — January 8, 2008 @ 6:30 pm
49
Textmate of course.
Comment by ryan — January 8, 2008 @ 6:59 pm
50
Normal Notepad!!!
Will one day move over to Notepad ++ but at moment I like no hassle and ability to control everything myself
Comment by Jermayn Parker — January 8, 2008 @ 7:06 pm
51
CODA !! It rocks..
PS: If only they had a function to display “Live Changes” (when we save) on different browser views. So that we can code and preview seamlessly…
Comment by Taqin — January 8, 2008 @ 8:02 pm
52
(Windows) I used to use Topstyle, but now use Notepad++. As I develop some sites using WordPress, I’ll also occasionally tweak a style sheet using the built-in theme editor.
Comment by Michelle Harris — January 8, 2008 @ 10:08 pm
53
mostly Textmate
Comment by grzybu — January 8, 2008 @ 10:27 pm
54
aptana or notepad++
Comment by noth — January 8, 2008 @ 11:29 pm
55
WeBuilder 2007 (great Code-Editor!!), Firebug and Webdeveloper in Firefox
Comment by Sascha — January 8, 2008 @ 11:35 pm
56
Dreamweaver, but in the Code View makes it faster to type in a few characters and then enter, move on to the next.
Comment by Kevin — January 9, 2008 @ 12:00 am
57
Aptana and PSPad
Comment by ksienrzyc — January 9, 2008 @ 12:11 am
58
I always use Dreamweaver. (html, css, php, js) I like the color highlightning.
Comment by and — January 9, 2008 @ 12:12 am
59
I Use TopStyle
Comment by Rob — January 9, 2008 @ 12:35 am
60
I use Komodo IDE, earlier used Aptana.
Comment by Laszlo — January 9, 2008 @ 1:01 am
61
I use GoLive from Adobe. It is far superior to any other CSS-editor I’ve ever tried, with full preview and pre-written syntax. Tried Coda and think it has potential, but lacks autocompletion and other stuff that makes your work faster and more acurate…
Comment by Willy — January 9, 2008 @ 1:25 am
62
I use EmEditor, it is a no-nonsense tekst-editor with code-highlighting for a lot of different languages.
Comment by Dwight Demmers — January 9, 2008 @ 1:34 am
63
i use UltraEdit for CSS, xHTML, PHP,XML and XSLT.
Comment by Rajko — January 9, 2008 @ 1:35 am
64
Dreamweaver, again because of the code colouring, and also because of the auto complete - I haven’t had to manually close a tag for ages
Comment by Robin — January 9, 2008 @ 1:38 am
65
I use Komodo Edit for xHTML and CSS
Comment by Anders — January 9, 2008 @ 1:38 am
66
On Windows : Notepad++
Comment by Romz — January 9, 2008 @ 1:46 am
67
CSS edit, the best by far
Comment by Simon — January 9, 2008 @ 2:21 am
68
Dreamweaver, Intype, Visual Studio .Net 2005 (for asp.net projects)
Comment by Adam — January 9, 2008 @ 2:22 am
69
Notepade & Adobe/Macromedia Homesite
Comment by Sammy — January 9, 2008 @ 3:00 am
70
Either Notepad 2 or Microsoft Expression Web
Comment by Joe — January 9, 2008 @ 3:58 am
71
1. TopStyle 2. Aptana 3. Notepad++
Comment by syed — January 9, 2008 @ 4:04 am
72
Notepad++, Dreamweaver
Comment by Yokko — January 9, 2008 @ 4:16 am
73
Notepad++ on Win, gedit on Linux.
Comment by Teppo — January 9, 2008 @ 4:25 am
74
PSPad on Win.
Comment by Peter — January 9, 2008 @ 4:38 am
75
I like Rapid CSS and use it along with Dreamweaver
Comment by Ashish Jain — January 9, 2008 @ 4:41 am
76
I’m a hand coder in Dreamweaver (maybe with a couple of clicks on the auto-complete dropdowns!)
I’ve not used any of the other packages, so I’ve no ideas on pros and cons but having all my files open in one software package makes things simple.
Chris
Comment by Chris — January 9, 2008 @ 5:33 am
77
I use a combination of Dreamweaver and Aptana.
Comment by Simon Bingham — January 9, 2008 @ 6:54 am
78
I used to use Dreamweaver, but moved over to Aptana, its just a much cleaner environment, and of course along with an assortment of FF extensions.
Comment by Dylan — January 9, 2008 @ 7:53 am
79
Skedit.
Comment by lamiseaunet — January 9, 2008 @ 8:02 am
80
I use Dreamweaver
Comment by Mohammad — January 9, 2008 @ 8:04 am
81
I use E-TextEditor (similar to TextMate from Mac)
I cant use anything else.
Comment by camilo vitorino da costa — January 9, 2008 @ 8:45 am
82
I use Notepad++ and Microsoft Expressions
Comment by Sean — January 9, 2008 @ 9:07 am
83
Eclipse.
Other wise anything from VI to Notepad to TextWrangler to PSPad to GEdit…whatever text editor I have around.
Comment by Paul — January 9, 2008 @ 9:19 am
84
I use…
* TopStyle Lite
- Great syntax highlighting, built-in preview, supports 3rd party intergration, nothing useless.
* Notepad++
- Nice syntax highlighting (customizable).
TS Lite is my primary CSS-editor. Notepad++ is for everything else.
PS. I am just a learner.
Comment by PoV — January 9, 2008 @ 9:27 am
85
on PC: TopStyle Pro
on Mac: Coda
I hace used Aptana, but it works slow.
Comment by Mark — January 9, 2008 @ 9:35 am
86
UltraEdit, nuf said!
Comment by matt smith — January 9, 2008 @ 10:38 am
87
On Windows XP, I’m using Notepad++ (sometimes TopStyle)
And on Linux, I use Geany
Comment by B2 — January 9, 2008 @ 12:00 pm
88
Komodo! Use Dreamweaver at work (all the sites managed in it), but komodo at home. Its really been growing on me.
Comment by Michael — January 9, 2008 @ 12:08 pm
89
quanta almost all the time, or for fast opening krusader’s embeded editor, sometimes mc
Comment by dan tamas — January 9, 2008 @ 12:17 pm
90
I like Notepad++ and jEdit
Comment by Brendan — January 9, 2008 @ 2:15 pm
91
skedit is do bomb !
Comment by Matt — January 9, 2008 @ 4:19 pm
92
Textmate (for quick edits)
CSSEdit (for fun)
Dreamweaver (for development)
Comment by Zac — January 9, 2008 @ 5:14 pm
93
Check it out E-Texteditor (for all ye windows users) it rocks!
Comment by L3n1N — January 9, 2008 @ 9:52 pm
94
I just started a new job and we use Vim–what a learning curve. I use Dreamweaver at home, though.
Comment by Tvz — January 9, 2008 @ 11:15 pm
95
I use dreamweaver because thats what I have on windows, but on a side note, isn’t it sad how the CS3 icon looks so ugly next to the others?
Comment by Dhruv Govil — January 10, 2008 @ 12:00 am
96
EditPlus; been using it for years. Tried many others (including most of those mentioned above, such as Notepad++ UltraEdit) but always keep coming back.
Comment by Stephen Bunt — January 10, 2008 @ 12:05 am
97
Topstyle for CSS/XHTML/ASP/XSL
firebug/webdeveloper toolbar for tweaking
VS for .Net
Comment by Dom — January 10, 2008 @ 2:33 am
98
CSSEdit
Comment by Ced — January 10, 2008 @ 4:39 am
99
AceHTML Pro
Comment by Nat — January 10, 2008 @ 4:52 am
100
InType here.
Comment by Joan Piedra — January 10, 2008 @ 6:00 am
101
mainly Coda - coupled with CSSEdit at times
Comment by prisca — January 10, 2008 @ 10:40 am
102
FireBug with Coda.. I like Coda for the built in Transmit. I like CSSedit too for the wysiwyg. Sometimes I catch my self using Coda and CSSedit… But I always have FireBug on.
Comment by StevenRay — January 10, 2008 @ 10:53 am
103
I hand code into Dreamweaver (I just like the layout of the program), and debug with FireBug.
Comment by Alphabetix — January 10, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
104
Notepad++
Comment by Victor — January 10, 2008 @ 12:49 pm
105
TopStyle Pro!!!
Comment by Sonu Singh — January 10, 2008 @ 12:58 pm
106
I’ll second the Editplus comment. I’ve used it now for about 4 or 5 years and it’s excellent. Lightweight, fast, supports RegEX, and the underlying files are user editable.
Comment by Andy Matthews — January 10, 2008 @ 2:42 pm
107
WOW.
Thanks everyone very much for participating in this. The number of responses blows me away. I’ll be compiling of this information and sharing soon.
For the record, I’m about 80% Coda (I’m all about going commando), 19% TextMate (I actually prefer TextMate above all else), and 1% Dreamweaver (Once and a while I use some really specific feature I know it does a good job with).
I have used pretty much all these tools at one time or another - either through testing or just using it for a while to get a feel for it. Some of the things people have mentioned I’ve never heard of though, especially the obscure windows ones.
Comment by Chris Coyier — January 10, 2008 @ 2:49 pm
108
“ULTRAEDIT”
It’s the best.
Comment by Jseen — January 10, 2008 @ 9:20 pm
109
Coda or Dreamweaver on a mac depending on the project. On a pc I use notepad.
I use the Web Developer and Firebug plugins on FF and Xylescope for cascade highlighting, etc.
Comment by Gemma — January 11, 2008 @ 6:54 am
110
Notpad until now but after reading all these responses, I will be test-driving some others starting with Notepad++.
Looking forward to the compiled results.
Comment by Dragon — January 11, 2008 @ 9:13 am
111
Coda & BBedit on Mac
PSPad on PC
sheesh your comment entry is very borked in netnewswire
Comment by Jonathon — January 11, 2008 @ 10:33 am
112
Coda or gEdit in linux
Comment by John — January 11, 2008 @ 11:53 am
113
Don’t forget kate/kwrite.
Comment by anon — January 11, 2008 @ 5:44 pm
114
Rapidphp (webuilder, rapidcss, rapidphp are just variants)
Great product
Comment by notuo — January 12, 2008 @ 11:02 am
115
Since I met Coda and CSSEdit, I don’t need annything else.
Coda for complete sites and rough styling, CSSEdit for CSS only, templating and retocuhing.
Comment by Lex — January 12, 2008 @ 1:05 pm
116
Dreamweaver
Comment by Adrian Turner — January 12, 2008 @ 7:01 pm
117
I use telepathy.
Comment by Kreskin — January 13, 2008 @ 1:25 pm
118
Wordpad
Comment by Simon Tsui — January 13, 2008 @ 11:36 pm
119
dreamweaver and nothing but dreamweaver so help me god
Comment by Fouad Masoud — January 14, 2008 @ 2:09 am
120
Dreamweaver. What else?
Comment by Isaac Seymour — January 15, 2008 @ 10:09 am
121
I use Aptana and used to use Dreamweaver
Comment by Rob Lowe — January 15, 2008 @ 12:33 pm
122
Aptana studio (because its free and almost as good as dreamweaver) at work, dreamweaver at home (i get free licences for personal use
).
Comment by V1 — January 17, 2008 @ 7:27 am
123
I use intype!
Comment by Shaymaa — January 17, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
124
Win - Webuilder, Top Style, EmEditor.
Linux - BlueFish, gedit.
MacOS - I don’t use it )
Comment by Austin — January 17, 2008 @ 4:06 pm
125
TextMate + Transmit + Terminal. Also, just got CSSEdit as part of MacHeist II, so I will give that a whirl too.
I tried and really liked Coda, but already purchased TextMate & Transmit so couldn’t justify spending more money just to have all that functionality in one app. I’m keeping an eye on it though.
Comment by corsa — January 23, 2008 @ 2:17 pm
126
Firebug…. ok well that and the Aptana plugin in Eclipse when needed.
Comment by Eric Wendelin — January 25, 2008 @ 10:38 pm
127
I always use plain oldé Notepad. (Which is what I use for HTML, PHP, CSS, etc…)
Comment by Dale Hay — February 3, 2008 @ 2:19 pm
128
Dale…
You’re doing yourself an AMAZING disservice by using Notepad. Notepad offers NOTHING in the way of productiving improvements such as line numbering, syntax highlighting, autocomplete, etc.
HTMLKit is free, Eclipse (and Aptana) is free, there are many other free, or cheap editors out there. Do yourself a favor and try one of them.
I’d have to say that you can’t be a professional and use Notepad as your primary editor. Note that there’s nothing wrong with using Notepad occasionally, or when nothing else is available, but seriously…
Comment by Andy Matthews — February 4, 2008 @ 7:25 am
129
I have to partly disagree - notepad is very useful for quick editing on a Windows desktop/server. You can easily find lines by using ctrl+g and autocomplete can become an annoyance. Sevel HTML editors chuck in un-needed code too. The only thing missing is syntax highlighting as you mention.
Comment by Lazlow — February 5, 2008 @ 5:35 am
130
You’re actually arguing that the “only thing missing” from Notepad is “syntax highlighting”? That’s amusing. As I mentioned, there are times for using Notepad, quick edits directly on the server would be one of those times, as would editing code on another user’s machine in a pinch. However Notepad is nothing more than an utterly basic tool. If you’re really wanting to see what it’s missing:
Find & replace
Regex support
Syntax highlighting
Templates
Macros
Toggles
Project Management
Split windows
Tabbed interface (mutiple files open within one window instance)
Markers
Do I need to continue? I said it before…Notepad is good for very basic editing, or emergency situations. But to use it as your primary editor is just foolish.
Comment by Andy Matthews — February 5, 2008 @ 7:20 am
131
I use Dreamweaver CS3.
Comment by Ray — June 27, 2008 @ 6:52 am