HomeSite 5.0

Web builders who code HTML and other scripting languages on the Web have a friend in HomeSite. This code-based editor is highly configurable and offers an intuitive interface, advanced automation features, and strong file-handling capabilities. The newest edition of HomeSite is the strongest yet and works well alongside other Macromedia tools such as Dreamweaver and Fireworks. HomeSites timesaving features include a Secondary File panel that lets you access two directories at once. You’ll also find a built-in FTP manager, an auto-backup feature, a project-deployment system, a code validator, and several other powerful tools. In keeping up with Web trends, HomeSite’s color-coding, tag help, validation, and code optimization supports XHTML, DHTML, JavaScript, ASP, CFML, Perl, and VBScript. The editor also has a double-byte mode that supports Unicode and other international character sets. You can even use VTML (Visual Tool Markup Language) to build tag editors for additional tag-based languages that are not currently supported by HomeSite. As text-based editors go, it’s hard to find a more robust, modern product than HomeSite. The steep learning curve required to make use of HomeSite’s more advanced features may put it out of reach for many beginners, but if you are a professional who codes by hand, this is your editor of choice.