Choosing the best open source HTML editor depends on user experience, project nature, and software features. WYSIWYG editors are good for beginners, while advanced designers can use simple text editors. Features like editing multiple pages, HTML validation, and FTP functionality are important. Other useful features include image editing, link checking, and JavaScript or CSS validation. Popular open source HTML editors are available for most operating systems, but technical support should also be considered.
Choosing the best open source hypertext markup language (HTML) editor is a matter of matching the user experience, the nature of the project, and the features available in the software. Beginners will probably consider a “What you see is what you get” (WYSIWYG) editor a good option. Such an editor allows the user to design a web document by visually arranging its elements, while the editor itself produces the underlying HTML code. Users of all experience levels would likely benefit from an editor with features like the ability to edit multiple pages at once, search and replace elements within files, and update a website directly from the editor. Since HTML is the predominant standardized language for creating web pages, the inclusion of an HTML validator should be considered an essential feature.
An advanced designer can produce sophisticated web pages with HTML using a simple text editor. Even HTML coders don’t always need or want such a hands-on approach. An open source HTML editor should offer features that are a shortcut for experts and a necessity for beginners. The editor may also include features beyond efficient HTML creation. Features that simplify website maintenance and enable collaboration are also important considerations when choosing an open source HTML editor.
WYSIWYG editors allow users with little or no knowledge of HTML to design a web page. However, a design that looks great in the editor doesn’t always present an attractive display when viewed from different web browsers. Beginners might be better served by an open source HTML editor with a large selection of templates to choose from. The ability to create and store templates can be beneficial to a more advanced user. WYSIWYG editors are sometimes used by experienced designers, however, to quickly create structures such as complex tables.
The functionality of an open source HTML editor is enhanced by the ability to open and edit multiple files at the same time. A search and replace function that works on all open pages is highly recommended. Ideally, this feature would work on a site’s entire directory structure. HTML tag completion can save time, especially when it can be tailored to your personal coding preferences. The more obvious features like spelling and grammar checking shouldn’t be forgotten.
An integrated FTP (file transfer protocol) functionality allows you to update a site directly from the editor. This feature could actually be built into a version control system that allows local and hosted copies of a website to stay in sync. Such a system would improve the collaboration of designers and authors separated by workplace or program. The inclusion of an HTML validator in the editor is even more necessary when a web project is a collaborative effort.
Some features that are not necessary but are useful to have in an open source HTML editor might include a built-in image editing functionality. This would eliminate the need to acquire a dedicated image editor and save time switching between programs. A link checker to check and update links helps keep a site up to date. An advanced user might want to see some features included for JavaScript, extensible markup language (XML), or database connectivity. The same can be said of a cascading style sheet (CSS) validator.
Popular open source HTML editors are available for most operating systems. Many software review websites contain detailed descriptions of open source software and instructions for ordering or downloading them. Once user requirements are identified, it is easy to compare the software features that best meet those needs. However, open source software programs have very different technical support capabilities. If that’s a concern, support options should play a bigger role in your choice of editor.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
