Which Is Better - Dreamweaver or Expression Web?

for more than ten years, the world of web development is dominated by two programs: Macromedia's (later Adobe's) Dreamweaver, FrontPage, and Microsoft. For many years, the general consensus among experts in web development is that the Dreamweaver program is superior in many ways. A few years ago, however, Microsoft released Expression Web Designer, which in many ways leveled playing field. question many people ask today, "Which is better? Dreamweaver or expression?" This article will try to answer it.

Easy to use

Both programs have a very good point-and-click WYSIWYG editor, allowing even people who do not know anything about HTML and CSS to build a quality web site. In this category, however, the term is probably a little better. The expression looks and feels very much like using Microsoft Word, right down to the red distorted points below the coding error, just like in Word points out spelling errors. The term is the user interface makes it very intuitive and easy to use for beginners. Dreamweaver, on the other hand, is more complicated, feature-packed interface that have a greater attraction for experienced web developers.

Client-Side Scripting

Both programs handle Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) very well, automatically generates and displays correctly. Again, the expression is slightly better in this area, more accurately displaying CSS.

When it comes to client-side scripting, it is difficult to see what software is better. They do different things, but it very well. Dreamweaver provides excellent support for Spry, YUI libraries and APIs for jQuerry, but little support for the ASP.NET 's AJAX. The terms of strengths and weaknesses are almost the exact opposite. It provides the finest support AJAX got ... but little else.

script on the server side

Dreamweaver generally wins in this category. Dreamweaver supports PHP, JSP, ColdFusion, and several other platforms. Unfortunately, it does not support the widespread and popular ASP.NET server scripting language (although it does not support classic ASP). Once again, the term is almost the polar opposite. The expression provides unparalleled support for ASP.NET, but little else (not even, odd classic ASP). In the final analysis, Expression is a superior program for creating web pages within a predominantly Microsoft environment, while Dreamweaver's superior support and flexibility makes it a better place to create web pages on most other platforms.

site management

For years, Dreamweaver has a far superior site management features made ​​it the clear winner of Microsoft FrontPage. Microsoft Expression, however, and considerably narrowed the gap, providing a broader features and compatibility with Dreamweaver web pages. Dreanweaver, however, still maintains its lead in this category, with wider and more efficient set of tools for managing web pages.

So who won?

Unfortunately, this is a draw - at least according to your personal preferences. I have more guy Dreamweaver, and believe it will be around for many years to come. Each program is better for certain situations, but poorly suited for others. If you are an amateur web designer works with all Microsoft environment (such as a corporate network), the term is more compatible and easier to use. More experienced web developers who work in a cross-platform environment (mixed network of UNIX, Linux. and the Microsoft platform is very common these days) will find Dreamweaver flexibility and robust feature set of more useful and effective.

such as Internet technology continues to grow, diversify and specialize on-one program fits all solutions are fast fading. Today should be the right tool for the right job. For this purpose, web developers can find more effective to keep both Dreamweaver and Expression of the software in your virtual toolbox.