Whats Better Using Html/css Edited By Hand Or Using Design Programs? And Why?

For design websites is it better to do it your self by learning HTML/CSS or using web design programs? and why?

Solution 1:

I've bounced back and forth between hand coding and Dreamweaver in my history as a web developer.

I originally started out hand coding HTML. This was back in the day when table layout was king, and editing nested tables became a real headache. Couple this with a lack of good tools for visualizing hidden elements and this quickly became a nightmare.

I started using Dreamweaver primarily to speed up my table design workflow. Soon, however, Dreamweaver's templating system became a godsent when I started producing static websites that had no server backend. Being able to update one template and have it propagate across the entire static site cut down my cross-page inconsistencies to nearly zero.

More recently, the whole web 2.0 push has got me, and almost everyone else, back into the hand coding game. I found Dreamweaver wasn't really suitable for the compliant designs, since it was heavily table-centric. I find that most of the HTML I write these days is so straightforward and simple there's little need for an editor. Additionally, all my development is now dynamic once again, so there's no need for a static html generating template system anymore.

Solution 2:

Learn for yourself so you can figure out how to do things exactly how you want them to be done, and not have to rely on some sort of program to figure it out for you.

Solution 3:

Like anything else in technology, learn the core concepts first, and then use a tool to automate the things you have mastered. By doing so, you will gain a better understanding of how everything works together, and you be able to easily tell when something goes wrong. In this way you will not be bound to any one design tool, and can use whatever works best because you understand the core concepts.

In the words of Richard Feynman,

"That which I cannot create, I do not understand."

Solution 4:

They really serve two purposes, and either one is "better" for it's purpose.

If you learn to do it by hand, you will:

• Have more control over exactly what is happening
• Have less extraneous code
• Be able to maintain your code more easily

If you use a program, you will:

• Be able to design visually
• Possibly be able to design more quickly
• Not have to learn to write CSS by hand

It really depends on what your goal is.

Solution 5:

I prefer HTML/CSS by hand because you have the most control over the code. Most design programs will add additional markup that is not required. Even simple WYSIWYG JavaScript editors add extra markup. Although, not a huge difference in file size, the additional markup will add up over time. I would also argue that its easier to maintain code when you know what went into its creation.

Additionally, you'll learn a lot more by taking the time to do it by hand.