What is "Safest" freeware to edit/modify the "
 

I am getting ready to modify my first template, and would like to know the surest and safest tool to use to change/edit the code. Up to this point in my life, I have only used Notepad and MSFPage, but know atleast this isn't the tool w/smarty.

I have noticed there is a way to mod using the admin area, but prefer not to start learning that way.

Thanks to all for sharing. :oops:

notepad is fine,
dreamweaver works well
ultraedit is also very good

ah and then i spotted you said 'Freeware' #-o

Get textpad. Google for it. It's handy for working with .tpl and .php files.

You can use Frontpage if you already have it. I use Dreamweaver but that's only becauseI have been using it since the first version and I'm most comfortable with it. And it's not cheap either...

Just spent some time Googling and I am really surprised that no one has introduced a WYSIWYG editor for Smarty templates.

I hope this is high on the developer's list of priorities.

Thanks to all. Every day is a "new step". I will attempt using MSFPage, since I have used it before. I was thinging smarty required something else.

Next hurtle.....Do I FTP it to my PC, mod it, then FTP back up? I haven't gotten my toes wet yet using the "webmaster" mode (no clue with this yet). THat is why earlier I said I perferred not using the admin interface for template mods. (But is there a time when I should?? (((endless questions!)))


Please baby step "general order of things"

Thanks,
Dave

Personally, I back up my templates by copying an existing template to a new name like product.tpl, I will copy to product_bak.tpl and then work on the existing one from the admin interface.

Basically I can't stand FTPing back and forth but there is absolutely nothing wrong with the method you mentioned.

I usually just copy and paste my code direct from dreamweaver into the admin template editing window.

adpboss:

I like your method of "cut&paste" using PC software with one screen, and admin template mode on the other (referring to the "webmaster" editing mode I hear about?)

One last ques: While I am in admin sign-in using "webmaster mode", should I PhpAdmin my permission for "templates_c" to a "666" or is that not a necessary step?

Think of anything else? Guess I will learn how to do all the comments above tonight when I get home from my "paying" job!!

Thx again.

Dave,
I would refrain from using FrontPage to edit smarty templates.
FP has a nasty habit of rewriting code rendering your templates broken.

Dave I do not use Webmaster mode.

In my opinion the only use for Webmaster mode is to help you figure out which page elements belong to which tpl file.

You should not be editing in Webmaster mode if you can help it. That's my opinion but if you know how to read html then you should be able to work from the edit templates link in the admin. You need to work with code, not with gimmicks or you will end up making a bigger mess than you thought possible.

Thanks to both for "grief saving", inthat I don't remember anyone mentioning the problems with either MSFPage or "Webmaster"that I have read in any of the Forum chapters. I will grow to make the "edit templates link" my preference when using the xcart product + cut and paste.

I can read code, and have been self studying Php. I need to start diving into the link to smarty I added to "favorites".

I can read and code html ok, as I have 2 sites I recently, but neither are e-commerce, this is 1st of many I hope.

Thx,
Dave

If you know some html, then Smarty is easy to pick up. I find it very easy to work with visually.

Perhaps put your PHP education on hold until you get your store looking the way you want it to. In my experience you will spend much more time working with templates than you will with PHP and Smarty is far easier to learn.

I am opening my 2nd e-commerce store this month and hopefully a third one next month. Once you get comfortable with X-Cart it just keeps getting easier and easier.

Good luck!

I use HotDog software (www.sausage.com). They have a 30 day trial (so that part is free! :) ). Does great for color coding many web related files (html's, css, php, tpl, asp, etc..). And it won't do stupid stuff to your files and try to do things for you unless you specifically ask it to do something for you. It's great for beginners to advanced. I've used it for 8 years now I think.

This link may also help with smarty. http://smarty.php.net/docs.php

Good luck!

Carrie

I use Perled for both tpls and php files, works very nicely and it doesn't screw up EOLS :)