PHP code that needs to stay at the top of the page in FrontPage 2003

joad

What do you do when you use FrontPage 2003 and you have a php code where it is critical that it stays at the very top of the page ? ?

Every so often, after I've been editing the html lower down, I notice for some reason, that the php code keeps slipping down a few spaces - I then take out the blank spaces above the php code, then a few weeks later after some more editing of the html lower down, the php code has then slipped down a few spaces again ? ? ?

Any help much appreciated.

Chris.

Jack_McSlay

my advice about using Frontpage to make PHP applications is don't. Frontpage will just break every standard that's not set about Microsoft. No WYSIWYG html editor has ever been suitable for making dynamic applications. Specially not frontpage

joad

Jack McSlay wrote:
my advice about using Frontpage to make PHP applications is don't. Frontpage will just break every standard that's not set about Microsoft. No WYSIWYG html editor has ever been suitable for making dynamic applications. Specially not frontpage

Thanks Jack, I thought that fp 2003 had got rid of all of the previous problems, that users had before, but obviously not this one ? ?

What do you use please ?

Joad.

NogDog

If you search the "Echo Lounge" forum here, you'll find any number of threads discussing various editors and/or IDE's used by members to create/edit PHP pages. Since there are so many choices and so many different personal preferences, I won't even try to suggest which are best; but I think you'll find the vast majority of PHP developers use some type of plain text editor as opposed to any sort of WYSIWYG tool. Even those who use DreamWeaver probably do the majority of their PHP development in the "source code view" option (or whatever it's called in DW).

joad

Many thanks NogDog, that info is appreciated - I'll have a look over in that forum.

A couple of things - what's IDE ? Also, I only code in source code view in fp as well, but still get the blank lines at the top of the page ?

The same as most people, I have pages that are a mixture of html and php, but would be better to edit them in a php editor ?

Which editor do you use ?

NogDog

IDE = "integrated development environment", which refers to what is essentially a collection of tools -- including an editor -- which work together to try to provide a "one stop shopping" application for developing code. Or just think of it as an editor on steroids.

I happen to use HTML-Kit, basically for two reasons: I find its built-in FTP interface handy, and I'm used to it. I have been half-heartedly looking around at some other IDEs/editors to replace it, as it has a few short-comings; but so far I haven't tried anything yet that grabbed my attention and made me want to spend the time to learn a new tool instead of sticking with what I know.

Jack_McSlay

I'm personally with Aptana (http://www.aptana.com/), because it supports not only PHP but also HTML, CSS and JavaScript, all with code completion features.

But there are other good (and lighter) editors to try like PHP Designer and Notepad++.

joad

Many thanks NogDog and Jack - the input is appreciated.

I do like the fact that I can code in source view, then look in the preview page, to get an approximate view of how it would look on the net - do those programs do that please ?

Have other FrontPage users noticed the blank lines at the top of their coding pages ?

Joad.

NogDog

I find it easiest to just open the file in FireFox, then refresh it as I make changes. This allows me to see it in the browser, but also allows me to use the various tools and add-ons I use with FF to do things like debug JavaScript, validate HTML and CSS, and various other things the WebDeveloper add-on includes.

PHP321

joad wrote:
Have other FrontPage users noticed the blank lines at the top of their coding pages ?

I've been using FrontPage for at least eight years and, as IDE's go, I like it the best because, except for a text editor, it takes the least amount of control away from me. I do use the WYSIWYG view for initial HTML design and touchups; but, like you, I spend much more time in source view anyway (including to clean up the HTML). Now that I'm doing less JavaScript coding, I guess I don't need an IDE as badly as I used to -- what with the built-in interactive source debugger (which is better than the one with FF), and all.

Anyway... I remember having the problem you describe in previous releases of FrontPage, but I have not seen that problem in what I have now (which, I think, is 2003 -- but I'd have to check explicitly when I get home this evening). I've even been programming heavily for the last week with three PHP pages (see my posted problem here with PHP Sessions) and have not seen that problem happen at all -- not even once. I'm not sure why you're having this problem.