Learning Dreamweaver and HTML - is this helpful?

[mistercitizen]

Hi,

I am graphic designer working mainly in print. I have made a few, simple websites in Flash in the past, and wish to teach myself Dreamweaver.

My question is: Is there any advantage in simultaneously learning HTML while learning Dreamweaver?

For now I just want to make a basic site with a few frames, links etc.

Thanks for you advice!

 

[pixl8r]

Absolutely. The advantage is mostly that you will have a better understanding of the code that Dreamweaver produces. You may also find it beneficial to spend time in the Dreamweaver "code" view so you can see how changes effect code and how code is practically written.

It is important to know what is in your code. The only way to do that is to be able to read it.

That's my two cents!

Wow JT that almost looked like you knew what you were doing!

 

[lebisol]

better yet, work in split code& GUI view and see( learn) your HTML code as it gets generated...DW is THE Editor to learn and it will teach you HTML.
Ones u spend enough time with DW HTML will not even be a "matter of learning" u will KNOW it just by the fact of editing and "seeing how DW does it"
Welcome to DW World! ;-)


> need more info?
:: don't click HERE ::

 

[mistercitizen]

Thanks for the tips guys.

Can you give me a practicle example where knowing code will enable me to fix/do something I couldn't do if I was only familiar with DW and not code?

Can't I just edit and fix things entirely through the DW interface - why the need/advantage of learning code?

 

[ChrisHirst]

one of the biggest problems in allowing Dreamweaver to build your code and learn from it is the fact that unless you keep up with the latest version (an expensive option) it will invariably write the HTML code using deprecated elements and attributes.
For example DW MX uses <font> tags which are now deprecated (

http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/present/graphics.html#h-15.2

) to change text size (no idea about 2004) and at some point in time these elements and attributes will not be handled by the new browser versions.

The advantage of learning code is YOU are in control of your pages not a piece of (possibly) outdated software and sometime editing things in the WYSIWYG interface will leave a mess of redundant code behind and if you don't know the code you would think this to be the norm.



Chris.

Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares?

 

[mistercitizen]

The advantage of learning code is YOU are in control of your pages not a piece of (possibly) outdated software and sometime editing things in the WYSIWYG interface will leave a mess of redundant code behind and if you don't know the code you would think this to be the norm."

Thanks for this point - I was unaware of such an issue.

If I'm using an older version of DW, does that mean I can write new code in that older version of the app? (to avoid problems in newer web browsers)

 

[pixl8r]

Yes when you are working in code view you can use newer code conventions. The WYSIWYG interface might not recognize the new technique, but you can still do it.

Then of course if all else fails there is always notepad.

Wow JT that almost looked like you knew what you were doing!