Dreamweaver v/s Aptana

Dreamweaver v/s Aptana

Aptana is a 'open source', robust, JavaScript-focused IDE for building dynamic web applications. Highlights include the following features: Code Assist on JavaScript, HTML, and CSS languages, including own JavaScript functions Outliner that gives a snapshot view of JavaScript, HTML, and CSS code structure Error and warning notification. Backed with a Web 2.0 logo & runs on JRE. Somehow name seems weird, may be it's a initial inertia kind of thought in accepting the name.

This is nothing but the Eclipse made to be a IDE for editing HTML, CSS, JS. Aptana is more of a code editor v/s WYSIWYG editing capabilities of Dreaweaver. It lacks PHP & ASP support & connections to a server. But Aptana team says, they're working on adding some PHP support. Next to eclipse, this suppose to be the kind of 'robust' release in opensource IDE circuit. That's what made 'Aptana'-a buzzing word in designer blogs & forums. Current version is 0.31 & it's still a beta. Though unfinished & initial looks are 'hot' it has long way to go in terms of interface, ease-of-use, speed, panel personalisation, cross language support.Probably in the alpha release it'll be damn good.

Personally I would like to see something of this kind in buzzing IDE arena. Since there're so many comments about extra chunk of code & sluggishness in editors. But if you're hoping for an alternative to dreamweaver ever since the Adobe purchase this is the best bet. One thing which might keep dreamweaver rocking albeit these kinda opensource IDE is huge developer base as far as extensions're conerned. If you work in a highly rapid & productive environment, dreamweaver is quintessential.

Bottom line statement: thought it's free & opensource I still go for Dreamweaver 8, As I'm a ardent fan & user of it. It's my way of owing gratitude to Macromedia:(what the web can be !). I find it difficult to get separated from it ;), probably there is no open source alternative to dreamweaver that provides the same features. But for my quick script editing & hand coding I normally rely on Notepad++

It's important to be fluent with several applications. Simply just to know what all is out there. And moreover if 'what all is out there' comes free-of-cost in the name of 'open-source' :) its too good

Few interesting links:

http://www.aptana.tv [AJAX libraries in Screen cast tutorials]
http://www.aptana.com/screenshots.html
http://www.aptana.com/blog
http://www.aptana.com/forums