When it comes to working with a programming language, you need a proper editing tool to make web development a bit easier. There are simple text editors that can also work like an IDE for editing an HTML (Hyper-text Markup Language) document and CSS (Cascading Style Sheet) code. But those who are looking to take their HTML and CSS programming to the next level should be using more sophisticated tools to create and edit their HTML code. IDE stands for Integrated Development Environment (IDE). There are tons of IDEs available, both the paid and free software. There are versions that specifically work with JavaScript, and then we have some IDEs that only use HTML.
A bare-bone IDE helps you to write the code, decode it, debug your application, and more. An advanced IDE is going to provide you with enhanced features of programming that include automation, visualization, and customization. Today, we are going to find out what are the top 7 HTML IDEs you need to know about and what makes them unique. So let’s begin!
What is HTML?
Before we proceed forward with our list of HTML IDEs, let’s take a step back and see what the use of HTML in our daily lives is. HTML sounds familiar to those who have heard about web development. The most common and essential structure of any website is HTML. This is the language that is used to structure the web pages, web applications, and their contents as well. With the implementation of HTML, you can manipulate tags, images, text, and other components that are present on your website and show up when you open it. A programmer can write down the code that contains elements, tags, and attributes to create sections, paragraphs, and even internal and external links.
IDE, on the other hand, is a program that assists programmers in building various types of applications using HTML and CSS code. Right now, more than 90% of the websites that are present on the internet are using HTML code in one way or the other. So to create unique websites, you need to understand what are the different features offered by various HTML IDEs.
Top 7 HTML IDEs You Need To Know About
Every single HTML IDE comes with its own benefits and limitations, and they are like any other software that you install on your computer. There are many HTML IDEs that also work with CSS, XML, and JavaScript. Given below is the list of some of the best HTML IDEs that can make it easier for you to develop a website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript as the programming language.
1. Visual Studio Code
The Visual studio code is used for the development of various UI components of a web application using HTML. There are many useful plugins for you to add when you need them in your project. In addition to this, you are getting auto-suggestions or completion of the code, and even before you execute the code, you can find out the errors in your code via highlighted errors. This makes it possible for a developer to write down the clean code and finish the project in a short time.
Likewise, Visual studio also provides Git features for end-to-end code management. Visual studio can run JavaScript IDE in Windows, Mac, and even Linux environments. Not only does it support JavaScript, but you can also use Node.js, and TypeScript, along with the extensions that make it possible to work with C++, C#, Python, PHP, and other programming languages. You can debug the code by launching it separately or attaching it with the running apps with the breakpoints and with the usage of an interactive console. Furthermore, you can integrate JavaScript UI libraries into the Visual Studio code. Lastly, there are tons of tutorial videos available on the internet that will help you learn all the quirks of using Visual Studio so you get comfortable using it in a short time.
2. PyCharm
PyCharm’s paid version is the one you need to look for when thinking about using an HTML IDE. It is a reliable web development IDE for both Python and HTML programmers. In addition to these two languages, it also supports Angularjs, Coffee Script, CSS, Python, HTML, JavaScript, Node.js, TypeScript, and more. This IDE has been developed by JetBrains since 2010.
Pycharm costs $89 a year for personal use, which sounds pretty expensive if you are starting programming in HTML and Python. When you look at the interface, you can see the editor dominates most of the view, supports syntax highlighting, and shows your line numbers in the gutter. The scroll bar indicates where the warnings are being found, and the errors will be shown in red.
On the left, you can see the file explorer, and in the footer, there are minimized elements where you can find the problem and terminal section. PyCharm comes with a proper debugger, and you can set up a breakpoint at the line in which you’re interested when you click next to it. After that, you can click on the “debug” icon. As of now, PyCharm has a marketplace that offers 2354 plugins. Lastly, PyCharm has a code inspection which was previously used in many projects that have comparable free static code and analysis tools.
PyCharm has a nice auto-completion, and it can be used to jump to definitions and comes with a working spell checker that is integrated inside the software. The debugger is also super helpful. The only thing to complain about is the interface seems too cluttered. The context menus are just crazy huge, and it takes a bit of a loading time even if you are opening up a small file.
3. Notepad++
Notepad++ is one of the most popular editors that are used for editing HTML docs. Notepad++ is pretty fast and lightweight when it comes to comparing it with other IDEs. Moreover, the interface is foolproof, that’s because of its straightforward and clean interface. It has been a top 7 HTML IDE since it was first released; it is exclusive to Windows operating systems. Still, Linux users can take advantage of this program using Wine. Besides, you can use it to run codes of multiple programming languages as well, such as CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and more.
The most prominent feature of Notepad++ is that you can choose to split the screen or use a full-screen layout when working on its user interface to write up the code. With split-screen, you can work on multiple projects side by side. IDE comes with a long list of features, and some of the more commonly used ones are syntax folding, syntax highlighting, multiview, auto-completion, document maps, multi-document interface, bookmarks, and a GUI, which is fully customizable. These are just a few of the tools and features of Notepad++ that are missing in the basic version of Notepad. Lastly, you can add third-party plugins or create your own plugin to use with Notepad++.
4. IntelliJ IDEA
The name sounds a bit on the complicated side of the naming scheme but don’t worry; that’s the only issue with this HTML IDE. The primary use of IntelliJ IDEA is to provide software that maximizes the productivity of a programmer. It will automatically add up valuable tools based on the projects that you upload or create on it. Also, you are getting the support of HTML, Python, PHP, Ruby, and more. Every single user interface element is designed in a manner to give you a seamless user experience. You get quick access to all the features along with the integrated tools that are at your disposal. Moreover, there is a lot of room for you to customize the IDE as well. You get to fine-tune every single aspect of this IDE to make sure it performs well with your workflow. Some of the customization features are setting shortcuts, installing plugins, and making changes to the interface.
The keyboard shortcuts are the main attraction here, and you can do almost anything using your keyboard shortcuts. You can run recent files, debug the project, and search anything, anytime. You can find out any item which is present inside or outside the project that you have opened. The search range varies from files, actions, classes, symbols, UI elements, and even your Git history. JetBrains, the developer of this IDE, is making sure that its products are accessible to everyone.
5. WebStorm
If you are looking for an IDE that you can trust with the trickiest part of the HTML programming or development, then WebStorm is a perfect IDE for you to use; this IDE is based on an open-source code base by IntelliJ Platform, which is also developed by JetBrains. It holds many refinements to make your coding hours more enjoyable and productive. Out of the box, it supports HTML, JavaScript, TypeScript, Node.js, Style sheets, and other programming languages that you need to create unique websites or web applications.
You don’t need to think about adding plugins and can go straight to the coding part once the installation is complete. The IDE understands the requirement of your project and assures you in every aspect of it in writing the code. It will autocomplete your code and suggest the fixes and redundancies, so it becomes easy for you to refactor the code in a much safer way.
There are hundreds of inspections for your code to go through for all the supported languages. Also, it includes spelling and grammar checkers. You can integrate Stylelint, ESLint, and other Linters.
6. Komodo Edit
The two different forms of editors are Komodo Edit and Komodo IDE. The editor is open-source, and you can download it for free. Also, it is a more simplified version of the IDE. Komodo Edit is an extremely powerful HTML IDE that comes with the support for Python, Perl, Ruby, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, and other prominent programming languages as well. All macOS, Windows, and Linux versions support Komodo Edit. It can be used for debugging, unit testing, and even code refactoring if you need it.
There is always space to add extensions to this software to make it possible for you to add support for new programming languages and other popular technologies like Grunt, PhoneGap, Docker, Vagrant, and others. Besides, you are getting a live preview of the output for the code you are writing. You can make changes and test it all at once using the same window. It comes with automatic saving of your code writeup. As a result, you don’t have to wait for the preview of your code. With the visual debugger and testing tools, you will be ensured that your code runs smoothly.
7. NetBeans
NetBeans is one of those IDEs that makes it possible for the developer to create desktop, mobile, and web-based applications using a single program. It works well with JavaScript, HTML5, PHP, C/C++, and more. To use NetBeans as a JavaScript IDE and HTML5 IDE, you don’t need to pay anything. For other languages, you have to download the extensions first to make them work. There are code analyzing and editing tools that are compatible with Java 8 technologies, making NetBeans 8.1 one of the best JavaScript and HTML editors. The robust tools, code generators, code templates, and coding tips make the whole process of writing the code easier for the user. The static analysis tool present in NetBeans will enable users to save expenses gained from the buggy code that they have. The NetBeans profile feature gives users professional assistance and makes sure that the application they are developing is fully optimized and has optimal memory usage.
Conclusion
These were some of the top HTML IDEs that you should be using for web development projects. Finding out which one is the right IDE for you is a decision that takes time, but once you are sure, you will install the IDE without any doubt in your mind.
From the list that we have provided you above, you can choose any one of them based on your requirement. Make sure you have a list of all the essential aspects, features, and tools you want your HTML IDE to have. Also, find out what extensions you will need for your project and are they available for the specific IDE or not? We hope this article has helped you in finding the HTML IDE for your upcoming project. If you have any questions about HTML IDE, feel free to put them in the comment section below, and we will provide you with a satisfactory answer.