Software Review: Coda for Mac

Almost two weeks ago now, I downloaded the trial version of Coda, a single-window website development tool developed by Panic.

Immediately, my life changed.

I used to code up website with a simple text editor -- no syntax highlighting, no validation, no auto-formatting. And I kinda liked it. I used Cyberduck to FTP into each of my sites for updating files, then had the browser open to refresh and see the updates. I had figured out optimal window placement for drag-and-drop of the text files into Cyberduck, and as many keyboard shortcuts as Mac allowed. (I have to admit that's what I miss most about Windows machines -- I once went a month without a mouse)

But then I heard about Coda. I tried it. I fell in love. It's all-in-one nature made everything so seamless, and greatly reduced my need for the mouse. Its syntax engines recognize HTML, CSS, Java, and PHP protocols. You can elect to have the file automatically update when you save the remote version, with the integrated Transmit program. When you type a new tag, it closes it for you. It gives helpful error messages with page validation. It includes a source control system... It changes the litterbox and washes your dishes! Well, okay, maybe not those last two, but it may as well do so, since it will free up so much of your time you won't even mind doing those chores anymore.

In short, I love it. I think I may actually have to buy it.

First foray into PHP/mySQL...

I just created my first webpage using PHP scripting and a mySQL database. I had been wanting to add these to my repertoire earlier, but hadn't had a project yet that required a database. I have a hard time learning new things if I don't have an immediate application for it. I suppose I learn tangible things best, rather than only in the abstract.

As I came across problems in the code, and thought "well, I want to do this, and it probably would go something like this..." a simple Google search would turn up some great example of the approximate idea I was trying to implement. By looking at other people's code, and finding similar bits among several examples, I was able to piece together my approach.

In all, I went from a scripting philistine to a full-fledged newbie in three nights... I look forward to putting my new skills to use again soon.