editing HTML
by Workshop, 8 July 1998how to edit HTML
There are a two basic ways to create a HTML document or to edit an existing HTML document. You may edit the HTML code directly using a text editor (if you have Windows 95, you could use Notepad) or using a HTML editor that inserts tags for you (a tag or code editor), or you may use a HTML editor that displays and edits the document like word processor. The latter type is called a WYSIWYG (short for What You See Is What You Get) editor and pronounced "Wisseewig".
You should be aware of the difference between the types of editors, as each has their place. WYSIWYG editors are great for getting a page up and running, and can help you learn the basics of HTML. But often, the quality of code they produce is not as good as writing your own HTML code with a simple editor. The investment with learning to use a tag editor and HTML can repay itself in the quality of the code and the page you can produce.
One very important point to remember when creating a web page document (HTML document), is that the web page is just a text file. The web browser reads the text file which contains some specially marked "words" known as tags, that describe formatting, and formats the document according to these tags. This is a fundamental concept in building web pages that a lot of novice web builders forget or do not understand.
HTML editors
A great deal of people who make web pages use Notepad as a HTML editor and simply insert the special "words" known as tags straight into the text file. Other people use a WYSIWYG HTML editor to create their web page in a manner that is similar to creating a document in a word processor.
This method "hides" the special HTML "words" or tags from the web builder in an attempt to make the web building process easier.
screen shot of Netscape Composer
where to get HTML editors
The full install of Netscape Communicator comes complete with Netscape Composer, a WYSISYG editor. You may find HTML editors at various software collection web sites on the Internet. A few of these web sites are listed below. You may reach them by clicking on the name of the web site.
WinFiles.com
A Huge collection of software for computers running windows.
TUCOWS
"The Ultimate Collection Of Windows Software".
Download.com
A large site with Windows and Mac Software.
Hotfiles
A very good collection of software.