I’m myself as a hand-coder and have been using Adobe Dreamweaver since 2000. I personally like Aptana Studio 3 more than Adobe Dreamweaver CS5. I explain you the 8 important reasons why I switched from Adobe Dreamweaver CS5 to Aptana Studio 3.
Reason 1 – It is free and very stable.
It is an open-source application and it can do HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, AJAX more than what I need. More importantly, it is a very stable application and it has regularly updates. Whilst Adobe Dreamweaver CS5 costs you at least high three digit £££. Aptana Studio 3 is avaliable to download for all OS – Windows, Mac and Linux.
Reason 2 – Instantly shows the files path as you type in.
When I type the folder and filename, it automatically shows up the filename straight away and then press ‘Enter’ key. It’s done. So, it saves me the time from browsing and inserting a file.
Reason 3 – Instantly shows the list of the PHP scripts.
As I type a PHP script, it auto shows the list of the similar scripts in the drop down menu.
Reason 4 – Format Feature.
It is very useful and must-have because it auto-formats the code line and wide-out the emptied lines.
Reason 5 – Real Time Error.
It shows the errors within the ‘Problem’ palette, I’m a AJAX novice, I will instantly know the error and I’ll able to debug an error.
Reason 6 – Browser Compatibility.
When I type a new CSS attribute, I immediately can see the list of the browser compatibilities and it will remind me to do the If-Conditional CSS files.
Reason 7 – Folder Management
Folder Management are a left side palette. It allows you to create a project folder & finding a file could take up a few seconds. I can toggle it on/off.
Reason 8 – DOM Structure
DOM Structure on the ‘Outline’ palette shows clearly visible & it intuits me as a developer to know easily if the DOM structure in the right order.
