Comments for Musings of a code slave http://foundationphp.com/blog Sun, 05 Sep 2010 11:33:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on Dreamweaver CS5 is good news for PHP devs by David Powers http://foundationphp.com/blog/2010/04/12/dreamweaver-cs5-is-good-news-for-php-devs/comment-page-1/#comment-16588 David Powers Sun, 05 Sep 2010 11:33:47 +0000 http://foundationphp.com/blog/?p=122#comment-16588 There isn't a debug utility in Dreamweaver CS5. If your main focus is developing back-end PHP scripts, a dedicated IDE such as Zend Studio is probably a better choice. Where Dreamweaver CS5 beats Zend Studio is in its support for front-end development with HTML and CSS. Combined with the improved support for PHP, I believe it's a good choice for anyone involved in developing both the front and back end of PHP sites. If you're not involved in front-end development, Dreamweaver is probably not for you. By the way, UltraDev 4 didn't support PHP. Dreamweaver CS5 has far more than just code highlighting and syntax checking. It has full documentation for PHP 5.2 and supports code introspection, providing hints and autocompletion for custom functions and classes, and third-party frameworks. I like it, but if it doesn't suit your needs, stick with the tools you prefer. There isn’t a debug utility in Dreamweaver CS5. If your main focus is developing back-end PHP scripts, a dedicated IDE such as Zend Studio is probably a better choice. Where Dreamweaver CS5 beats Zend Studio is in its support for front-end development with HTML and CSS. Combined with the improved support for PHP, I believe it’s a good choice for anyone involved in developing both the front and back end of PHP sites. If you’re not involved in front-end development, Dreamweaver is probably not for you.

By the way, UltraDev 4 didn’t support PHP. Dreamweaver CS5 has far more than just code highlighting and syntax checking. It has full documentation for PHP 5.2 and supports code introspection, providing hints and autocompletion for custom functions and classes, and third-party frameworks. I like it, but if it doesn’t suit your needs, stick with the tools you prefer.

]]> Comment on Dreamweaver CS5 is good news for PHP devs by Ajmer http://foundationphp.com/blog/2010/04/12/dreamweaver-cs5-is-good-news-for-php-devs/comment-page-1/#comment-16587 Ajmer Sun, 05 Sep 2010 11:04:43 +0000 http://foundationphp.com/blog/?p=122#comment-16587 I may be mistaken but i cannot find a debug utility in CS5, such as Zend version, which provides line breaks and variable watches! If i am mistaken and there is a way to line break PHP scripts using LIVE VIEW in CS5 please enlighten me, otherwise, i cannot see any significant progress of this version over UltraDev 4, to me, knowing my PHP syntax is not the problem, so code highlighter and warnings about code errors is not a problem, its trying to debug variables, class outputs, methods and functions, which at times can become difficult to read so watching the script in debug mode in Zend helps a great deal. I may be mistaken but i cannot find a debug utility in CS5, such as Zend version, which provides line breaks and variable watches!

If i am mistaken and there is a way to line break PHP scripts using LIVE VIEW in CS5 please enlighten me, otherwise, i cannot see any significant progress of this version over UltraDev 4, to me, knowing my PHP syntax is not the problem, so code highlighter and warnings about code errors is not a problem, its trying to debug variables, class outputs, methods and functions, which at times can become difficult to read so watching the script in debug mode in Zend helps a great deal.

]]> Comment on Dreamweaver CS5 is good news for PHP devs by David Powers http://foundationphp.com/blog/2010/04/12/dreamweaver-cs5-is-good-news-for-php-devs/comment-page-1/#comment-16586 David Powers Tue, 31 Aug 2010 06:56:32 +0000 http://foundationphp.com/blog/?p=122#comment-16586 After working with Dreamweaver CS5 for a long time, I have also experienced this problem. It happens mainly when you're adding code in the middle of a script. I have discovered that the secret is to add curly braces in pairs. If you add the closing brace at the same time as an opening brace, the code hinting works normally. On the occasions that this hasn't worked, I have usually discovered afterwards that I have left out a closing parenthesis higher in the script. The automatic insertion of closing braces and parentheses would, in my view, significantly reduce the problem, perhaps eliminate it entirely. It's definitely a feature that I'll be requesting for the next version of Dreamweaver. After working with Dreamweaver CS5 for a long time, I have also experienced this problem. It happens mainly when you’re adding code in the middle of a script. I have discovered that the secret is to add curly braces in pairs. If you add the closing brace at the same time as an opening brace, the code hinting works normally. On the occasions that this hasn’t worked, I have usually discovered afterwards that I have left out a closing parenthesis higher in the script. The automatic insertion of closing braces and parentheses would, in my view, significantly reduce the problem, perhaps eliminate it entirely. It’s definitely a feature that I’ll be requesting for the next version of Dreamweaver.

]]> Comment on Dreamweaver CS5 is good news for PHP devs by Diego http://foundationphp.com/blog/2010/04/12/dreamweaver-cs5-is-good-news-for-php-devs/comment-page-1/#comment-16585 Diego Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:42:37 +0000 http://foundationphp.com/blog/?p=122#comment-16585 Syntax check is great when you actualy need to find what's wrong, but it's really annoying when you're expecting tips to popup and instead you get the syntax error msg (that disables tips). What good is it to have good tips when you can only get them after you're done writing them? A tip's supposed to be given BEFORE you found the answer... Syntax check is great when you actualy need to find what’s wrong, but it’s really annoying when you’re expecting tips to popup and instead you get the syntax error msg (that disables tips). What good is it to have good tips when you can only get them after you’re done writing them? A tip’s supposed to be given BEFORE you found the answer…

]]> Comment on DW CS5 with PHP book on Rough Cuts by zozizo http://foundationphp.com/blog/2010/05/03/dw-cs5-with-php-book-on-rough-cuts/comment-page-1/#comment-16584 zozizo Sat, 28 Aug 2010 02:49:33 +0000 http://foundationphp.com/blog/?p=138#comment-16584 Dreamweaver - for a starter like me, with no English courses around in Saudi Arabia, the only way is self study. So I bought Dreamweaver the Bible, the missing manual and your book - the essential guide to Dreamweaver. HUGE COMPLIMENTS for your book. Am at page 211 now (still I lot to go ; ) and finally I have the idea I will get there. Basically I am just only using your book now, hardly picking up the other two any more. Now I found out theres also tutorials on the site, hm, hopefully my slow internet will be cooperative with that : ) The step by step dummy proof explanation helps a lot!!!! And the sense of humor is very welcome in moments of despair - yep, its a lot to grasp. Not able to post my website yet with the post, but wanted already to pass on the compliments to you. Thanks for the help!!! Dreamweaver – for a starter like me, with no English courses around in Saudi Arabia, the only way is self study. So I bought Dreamweaver the Bible, the missing manual and your book – the essential guide to Dreamweaver.

HUGE COMPLIMENTS for your book.

Am at page 211 now (still I lot to go ; ) and finally I have the idea I will get there. Basically I am just only using your book now, hardly picking up the other two any more. Now I found out theres also tutorials on the site, hm, hopefully my slow internet will be cooperative with that : )

The step by step dummy proof explanation helps a lot!!!! And the sense of humor is very welcome in moments of despair – yep, its a lot to grasp. Not able to post my website yet with the post, but wanted already to pass on the compliments to you. Thanks for the help!!!

]]> Comment on Adding an Adobe Bridge web gallery to a site by David Powers http://foundationphp.com/blog/2009/09/24/adding-an-adobe-bridge-web-gallery-to-a-site/comment-page-1/#comment-16581 David Powers Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:13:58 +0000 http://foundationphp.com/blog/?p=107#comment-16581 I haven't done it myself, but it should be possible to populate a Bridge gallery dynamically. The way to do it is to create a gallery in the normal way, and then examine the files that it creates. A Bridge gallery generates a folder called resources. Inside that folder are all the files, including the images. Bridge generates three copies of each image, and stores them in folders called large, medium, and thumb. You would need to create a similar structure. It appears that the gallery uses an XML file called group.xml to load the images. You should be able to generate group.xml dynamically with PHP. I haven’t done it myself, but it should be possible to populate a Bridge gallery dynamically. The way to do it is to create a gallery in the normal way, and then examine the files that it creates. A Bridge gallery generates a folder called resources. Inside that folder are all the files, including the images. Bridge generates three copies of each image, and stores them in folders called large, medium, and thumb. You would need to create a similar structure. It appears that the gallery uses an XML file called group.xml to load the images. You should be able to generate group.xml dynamically with PHP.

]]> Comment on Essential Guide to DW CS3 in top three programming books by David Powers http://foundationphp.com/blog/2009/02/27/essential-guide-to-dw-cs3-in-top-three-programming-books/comment-page-1/#comment-16580 David Powers Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:03:23 +0000 http://foundationphp.com/blog/?p=88#comment-16580 You can use the PHP in my CS5 book with Dreamweaver CS3, but you won't get the benefit of the vastly improved code hints that CS5 offers. My CS5 book devotes only one chapter to server behaviors. Most of the rest of the book is devoted to showing how Dreamweaver CS5 has become an advanced development environment for PHP. Roughly half the book uses the Zend Framework, which makes image uploads and other commonly requested functionality very easy. You don't need any specific software to use the Zend Framework, but Dreamweaver CS5 makes it easy to use because Site Specific Code Hints automatically generate code hints for third-party code libraries such as the Zend Framework. With CS5, you get hints for the long class names used by Zend Framework. With CS3, you would need to type them in laboriously by hand. My book, <a href="http://foundationphp.com/phpsolutions/" rel="nofollow">"PHP Solutions"</a>, explains in detail how to upload images. However, a new edition of the book is due out later this year with greatly improved code. There's nothing wrong with the code in the current edition. So, if you're in a hurry, the first edition of PHP Solutions is fine. Otherwise, look at the CS5 book or wait for the new edition of PHP Solutions. You can use the PHP in my CS5 book with Dreamweaver CS3, but you won’t get the benefit of the vastly improved code hints that CS5 offers. My CS5 book devotes only one chapter to server behaviors. Most of the rest of the book is devoted to showing how Dreamweaver CS5 has become an advanced development environment for PHP. Roughly half the book uses the Zend Framework, which makes image uploads and other commonly requested functionality very easy. You don’t need any specific software to use the Zend Framework, but Dreamweaver CS5 makes it easy to use because Site Specific Code Hints automatically generate code hints for third-party code libraries such as the Zend Framework. With CS5, you get hints for the long class names used by Zend Framework. With CS3, you would need to type them in laboriously by hand.

My book, “PHP Solutions”, explains in detail how to upload images. However, a new edition of the book is due out later this year with greatly improved code. There’s nothing wrong with the code in the current edition. So, if you’re in a hurry, the first edition of PHP Solutions is fine. Otherwise, look at the CS5 book or wait for the new edition of PHP Solutions.

]]> Comment on Changes in phpMyAdmin 3.0 by David Powers http://foundationphp.com/blog/2008/10/05/changes-in-phpmyadmin-30/comment-page-1/#comment-16579 David Powers Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:47:52 +0000 http://foundationphp.com/blog/?p=56#comment-16579 Thanks for buying my books, Girish. At the moment, there are no plans to update my Foundation PHP 5 for Flash book. Writing a book takes many months of hard work. The problem with trying to update the book for ActionScript 3.0 is whether to concentrate on Flash, Flex, or both. It seems to me that Flex is now a more suitable tool for building data-centric SWFs. I haven't used Flex sufficiently to feel comfortable writing a book about it. I think that if I do write a new version of the PHP/Flash book, it will need to be in cooperation with another author, who can provide the Flex/Flash expertise, allowing me to concentrate on the PHP side of things. Thanks for buying my books, Girish. At the moment, there are no plans to update my Foundation PHP 5 for Flash book. Writing a book takes many months of hard work. The problem with trying to update the book for ActionScript 3.0 is whether to concentrate on Flash, Flex, or both.

It seems to me that Flex is now a more suitable tool for building data-centric SWFs. I haven’t used Flex sufficiently to feel comfortable writing a book about it. I think that if I do write a new version of the PHP/Flash book, it will need to be in cooperation with another author, who can provide the Flex/Flash expertise, allowing me to concentrate on the PHP side of things.

]]> Comment on Changes in phpMyAdmin 3.0 by Girish http://foundationphp.com/blog/2008/10/05/changes-in-phpmyadmin-30/comment-page-1/#comment-16578 Girish Wed, 25 Aug 2010 04:35:06 +0000 http://foundationphp.com/blog/?p=56#comment-16578 David, I have the most of web development from your books. PHP solution and Dreamweaver cs3 for php.. i am buying the training from the source dreamweaver cs5 book when it comes out, next week.. very excited to read that book from front to back. i have been waiting on php and flash book with the action script 3.0 version. i always check the book stores and amazon if its out. arent you planning to update that book with the new version of actionscript? David,

I have the most of web development from your books. PHP solution and Dreamweaver cs3 for php.. i am buying the training from the source dreamweaver cs5 book when it comes out, next week.. very excited to read that book from front to back.

i have been waiting on php and flash book with the action script 3.0 version. i always check the book stores and amazon if its out. arent you planning to update that book with the new version of actionscript?

]]> Comment on Essential Guide to DW CS3 in top three programming books by Bobby Johnson http://foundationphp.com/blog/2009/02/27/essential-guide-to-dw-cs3-in-top-three-programming-books/comment-page-1/#comment-16577 Bobby Johnson Mon, 23 Aug 2010 20:07:28 +0000 http://foundationphp.com/blog/?p=88#comment-16577 Hey David, Thanks for the response. Since I'm using CS3, can the stuff in the book "Adobe Dreamweaver CS5 with CSS. . ." work with the CS3 Dreamweaver program? And will it show how to let users upload their images dynamically? Also, I agree with you, the image files themselves are not being saved in the database, just the detils. How would I make the image upload form and the regular form work together? I guess I am asking how to make a multi page form that has an upload form in it also? Hey David,

Thanks for the response. Since I’m using CS3, can the stuff in the book “Adobe Dreamweaver CS5 with CSS. . .” work with the CS3 Dreamweaver program? And will it show how to let users upload their images dynamically? Also, I agree with you, the image files themselves are not being saved in the database, just the detils. How would I make the image upload form and the regular form work together? I guess I am asking how to make a multi page form that has an upload form in it also?

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