Hypertext Builder 2003 A True XHTML Editor Lee Underwood
As more and more Web sites are being coded with XHTML, it would only make sense that software for web site creation would tend to be more XHTML-specific. The majority of the current editors feature HTML with added XHTML-capability. However, XHTML-specific editors are now beginning to make their way into the hands of developers. One of those editors is Hypertext Builder 2003, a true XHTML editor.
Hypertext Builder 2003 is a "web development application," according to the web site of PAKSoft Productions, distributors of the software. While the application's main emphasis is the coding of valid XHTML Web pages, it also provides tools for the authoring of PHP and ASP pages.
The editor's main focus is text-based hand-coding, but it also offers a WYSIWYG editor. In addition, there are several other integrated utilities, such as a Paragraph Builder, a Thumbnail Browser, Font Browser, an FTP program to transfer the pages to your site, and a personal information manager to keep
track of your development schedule, telephone numbers, and web sites.
Initially created as part of an academic project, Hypertext Builder has been around for five years now, evolving into the editor that it is today.
New features in this version include style sheet importation, support for .NET web and validation controls, and popup reference boxes for SQL, mySQL, Access, and Oracle database schemas.
Hypertext Builder won't do the thinking for you. You still need to have an understanding of XHTML (which is not much different from HTML). If you need to renew your coding abilities, a basic XHTML tutorial is included, along with several online references.
Perks Here, There, Everywhere
The program's interface is like many other editors, but it also includes a few perks. Across the top is a selection of menus: XHTML, color, file, and a custom menu. The custom menu, which contains six buttons, can be set up to input commands, insert code, or whatever the user desires. On the right side of the screen is a file window and a Language Tree. The file window has become somewhat of a standard in many editing programs, allowing easy access to project directories and files. The Language Tree serves as a reference for XHTML, JavaScript, VBScript, Wireless Markup Language 1.3, Cascading Style Sheets, ASP, PHP, and other XML-based languages. There is even room to create your own custom list if you wish.
On the left-hand side of the screen, near the top, is the editing window. On the bottom of the screen is a window used to preview the results from the editing window above. This window is also used to display the online manual and tutorials. The preview window uses Internet Explorer to view the files. All windows can be resized for easy viewing.
Main Interface