HTML
Validating Code
To check your code you can use the W3C HTML Validator, this will be added to the resource section.
What this validator does is takes a look at the DTD at the top of your page and takes the version of (X)HTML and checks that against a list of standards and rules. What the validator then does is flag up any issues so that they can be fixed.
Creating valid (X)HTML is a great routine to get into. So its worth popping over to the validator and bookmarking it for later use.
Free HTML Editors
If you are new to web design it can be difficult when you are starting out to choose the right tools. The first tool you will need to get your hands on is an HTML editor, these range from very basic to ones that have more functionality. The important thing to remember is your site depends on the code you write and not which program it has been put together in. So here we go.
For starters here are a few you can choose from Notepad, Notetab Light, HAPedit, PSPad, and Bluefish. These are just a few of the many HTML editors that can be found out there.
Notepad is a free editor that comes bundled with every version of Microsoft Windows and can be found in the All Programs > Accessories folder. This is a very basic text editor that can be used to code HTML and is the one I started with. You will have to remember when saving documents to actually time the .html extension on the end otherwise you will end up with a text document rather than web page.
Notetab Light is very similar to editor to Notepad, but it has a few added bonuses. You can open multiple documents at the same time, and used the tabbed layout to help you flick between files. It also has a quite handy auto correct function.
HAPedit is a slightly more advanced editor that is short for HTML ASP PHP Editor. This is a editor that is not just aimed at HTML but also the other development languages. One of the best functions in this editor is the syntax highlighting that will point out any coding mistakes making it easier to correct the code.
PSPad is very much similar to HAPedit in its functionality, if offers syntax highlighting for multiple languages which is great for helping out new coders.
Bluefish is another great programmer/web developer editor aimed at people running Mac or Linux systems, it does work on Windows too but support is limited.
The best thing about all these editors is that they are free to download and use, so have a browse though and find one that you like the look and feel of.
Advantages of Coding in HTML
HTML Code
If you are looking to learn how to code and create a websites you will eventually need to learn the HTML language. How well you learn this language will depend on whether you like to code or prefer the option to use a GUI (Graphical User Interface). There are many advantages to learning to code in html.
By learning to code in HTML you will be able to go beyond what a WYSIWYG or GUI program will be able to give you. If you are only using programs that assist you in creating your webpages you will be pinning down your expansion as a web designer or web developer. If you are unable to look at a piece of HTML code and tell whats wrong with it you will never be able to fully understand how to operate and run your own website much less for others. By learning to hand code HTML you will be able to control unneeded or extraneous code that may be applied by programs.
HTML gives you the freedom to create a single webpage or a complete website with a bit of coding. You will have the ability to understand and grasp the concept of what your doing when an idea pops into your head or if a client asks you to create a website for them. You will understand the functions and what it will take to complete the task at hand. Without having real knowledge of HTML you will be unable to fully design what may be needed and even if you are able to do so how will you fix something that is broken or needs the actual coding edited to repair an error?
Do you prefer to write code or do you prefer to use a graphical interface?