Learning PHP, MySQL, and JavaScript

Using a Program Editor

Although a plain-text editor works for editing HTML, PHP, and JavaScript, there have been some tremendous improvements in dedicated program editors, which now incorporate very handy features such as colored syntax highlighting. Today’s program editors are smart and can show you where you have syntax errors before you even run a program. Once you’ve used a modern editor, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without one.

There are a number of good programs available, but I have settled on Editra, because it’s free and available through a simple installer for both the Mac and the PC, and in source code form for Linux/Unix. You can download a copy by visiting http://editra.org and selecting the Download link toward the top left of the page, where you can also find the documentation for it.

As you can see from Figure 2-17, Editra understands HTML and highlights the syntax appropriately. It also notices when it encounters PHP code and correctly highlights that, too, using colors different from the HTML color tones to help clarify what’s going on.

What’s more, you can place the cursor next to brackets or braces and Editra will highlight the matching pair so that you can check whether you have too many or too few. In fact, Editra does a lot more in addition, which you will discover and enjoy as you use it.

Again, if you have a different preferred program editor, use that—it’s always a good idea to use programs you’re already familiar with.

Figure 2-17. Program editors are ...