Are there any tools you rely on for speeding up the process of developing html/css?

Question

Are there any tools you rely on for speeding up the process of developing html/css?

Have you heard of zen-coding? It's a script that generates markup based on a css-esque selector like this:

div#foo > p*6

This code would generate:

<div id="foo">
    <p></p>
    <p></p>
    <p></p>
    <p></p>
    <p></p>
    <p></p>
</div>

Edit: Here's a more advanced example...

I find zen-coding intuitive to use because I can apply my CSS selector knowledge without going through any API.

ul#nav > li[id] * 6 > a

This snippet generates:

<ul id="nav">
    <li id="">
        <a href=""></a>
    </li>
    <li id="">
        <a href=""></a>
    </li>
    <li id="">
        <a href=""></a>
    </li>
    <li id="">
        <a href=""></a>
    </li>
    <li id="">
        <a href=""></a>
    </li>
    <li id="">
        <a href=""></a>
    </li>
</ul>

By using shortcuts like Ctrl-E, zen-coding proves to be incredibly useful in front-end development. While it's supported in editors like TextMate and Aptana, there is a fork named sparkup for vim users as well.

Are there any similar plugins or tools you've come across in the past for efficient coding? Share your discoveries!

html css emmet

Answer 1

Answer №1

Writing HTML and CSS is a mundane task that I perform daily without much enthusiasm. I can easily whip up a paragraph like the one you mentioned in just five seconds, simply by copying and pasting it multiple times. While some may find a meta language to be a time-saver in certain situations, I personally have never found the need for one. Instead, if faced with large quantities of HTML, SQL, or arrays to generate, I prefer to create a small PHP or VB script to handle the job. I don't see the benefit in using another meta-language to convert code into a different language.

Perhaps meta-languages are beneficial for others, but they don't hold much appeal for me.

If your intention was to discuss the overall usefulness of such tools, upon revisiting your post, my certainty has wavered. Regardless, :)

Answer 2

Writing HTML and CSS is a mundane task that I perform daily without much enthusiasm. I can easily whip up a paragraph like the one you mentioned in just five seconds, simply by copying and pasting it multiple times. While some may find a meta language to be a time-saver in certain situations, I personally have never found the need for one. Instead, if faced with large quantities of HTML, SQL, or arrays to generate, I prefer to create a small PHP or VB script to handle the job. I don't see the benefit in using another meta-language to convert code into a different language.

Perhaps meta-languages are beneficial for others, but they don't hold much appeal for me.

If your intention was to discuss the overall usefulness of such tools, upon revisiting your post, my certainty has wavered. Regardless, :)

Answer 3

Answer №2

If you're working with rails, make sure to explore Sass and Haml

Sass allows for variable usage and basic mathematical operations:

// Sass

!blue = #3bbfce
!margin = 16px

.content_navigation
  border-color: !blue
  color: !blue - #111

.border
  padding: !margin / 2
  margin: !margin / 2
  border-color: !blue

This code snippet renders as:

/* CSS */

.content_navigation {
  border-color: #3bbfce;
  color: #2aaebd;
}

.border {
  padding: 8px;
  margin: 8px;
  border-color: #3bbfce;
}

Haml utilizes indentation instead of divs and follows the css # and . notation for classes and ids:

#profile
  .left.column
    #date= print_date
    #address= current_user.address
  .right.column
    #email= current_user.email
    #bio= current_user.bio

The Haml code above translates to:

<div id="profile">
  <div class="left column">
    <div id="date"><%= print_date %></div>
    <div id="address"><%= current_user.address %></div>
  </div>
  <div class="right column">
    <div id="email"><%= current_user.email %></div>
    <div id="bio"><%= current_user.bio %></div>
  </div>
</div>

Answer 4

If you're working with rails, make sure to explore Sass and Haml

Sass allows for variable usage and basic mathematical operations:

// Sass

!blue = #3bbfce
!margin = 16px

.content_navigation
  border-color: !blue
  color: !blue - #111

.border
  padding: !margin / 2
  margin: !margin / 2
  border-color: !blue

This code snippet renders as:

/* CSS */

.content_navigation {
  border-color: #3bbfce;
  color: #2aaebd;
}

.border {
  padding: 8px;
  margin: 8px;
  border-color: #3bbfce;
}

Haml utilizes indentation instead of divs and follows the css # and . notation for classes and ids:

#profile
  .left.column
    #date= print_date
    #address= current_user.address
  .right.column
    #email= current_user.email
    #bio= current_user.bio

The Haml code above translates to:

<div id="profile">
  <div class="left column">
    <div id="date"><%= print_date %></div>
    <div id="address"><%= current_user.address %></div>
  </div>
  <div class="right column">
    <div id="email"><%= current_user.email %></div>
    <div id="bio"><%= current_user.bio %></div>
  </div>
</div>

Answer 5

Answer №3

It's truly fascinating to witness this discussion taking place.

Having been involved in Web Development for 4 years, I can't recall the last time I needed to write something like

<li>some text</li>

more than once within a single instance.

Typically, the extent of HTML coding I engage in at any given point would be along the lines of

<ul>
<?php foreach ( $menu as $item ) : ?>
 <li><?php echo $item->title ?></li>
<?php endforeach; ?>
</ul>

Personally, I fail to comprehend the significance of mastering a tool solely for expediting static HTML writing. It's equivalent to acquiring a larger shovel - inevitably leading to digging a deeper hole.

In my opinion, the question to ponder over is: How can I diminish the volume of static HTML content I generate?

The solution to this query lies in utilizing CMS platforms such as Joomla, Drupal, or Wordpress. When confronted with the necessity of creating static HTML sites, consider exploring alternatives like Sphinx.

Sphinx eradicates the need for manual HTML coding, enabling the development of static websites with multiple pages devoid of hardcoded links.

By employing reStructuredText markup, Sphinx offers a streamlined approach to generating code. Here's a glimpse into crafting your content using reStructuredText.

- `Joomla`_
- `Drupal`_
- `Wordpres`_
- `Sphinx`_
_ :doc:`Some intermal Page <internal/file>`

.. _Joomla: http://joomla.org
.. _Drupal: http://drupal.org
.. _Wordpress: http://wordpress.org
.. _Sphinx: https://www.sphinx-doc.org

I've attempted to illustrate how this process unfolds with reStructuredText. Granted, the example may not perfectly align with Sphinx conventions as tags are typically associated with corresponding links. Nonetheless, I trust it provides a clear depiction.

Answer 6

It's truly fascinating to witness this discussion taking place.

Having been involved in Web Development for 4 years, I can't recall the last time I needed to write something like

<li>some text</li>

more than once within a single instance.

Typically, the extent of HTML coding I engage in at any given point would be along the lines of

<ul>
<?php foreach ( $menu as $item ) : ?>
 <li><?php echo $item->title ?></li>
<?php endforeach; ?>
</ul>

Personally, I fail to comprehend the significance of mastering a tool solely for expediting static HTML writing. It's equivalent to acquiring a larger shovel - inevitably leading to digging a deeper hole.

In my opinion, the question to ponder over is: How can I diminish the volume of static HTML content I generate?

The solution to this query lies in utilizing CMS platforms such as Joomla, Drupal, or Wordpress. When confronted with the necessity of creating static HTML sites, consider exploring alternatives like Sphinx.

Sphinx eradicates the need for manual HTML coding, enabling the development of static websites with multiple pages devoid of hardcoded links.

By employing reStructuredText markup, Sphinx offers a streamlined approach to generating code. Here's a glimpse into crafting your content using reStructuredText.

- `Joomla`_
- `Drupal`_
- `Wordpres`_
- `Sphinx`_
_ :doc:`Some intermal Page <internal/file>`

.. _Joomla: http://joomla.org
.. _Drupal: http://drupal.org
.. _Wordpress: http://wordpress.org
.. _Sphinx: https://www.sphinx-doc.org

I've attempted to illustrate how this process unfolds with reStructuredText. Granted, the example may not perfectly align with Sphinx conventions as tags are typically associated with corresponding links. Nonetheless, I trust it provides a clear depiction.

Answer 7

Answer №4

The Blueprint CSS framework is known for its motto:

Focus on creating, not duplicating.

Answer 8

The Blueprint CSS framework is known for its motto:

Focus on creating, not duplicating.

Are there any tools you rely on for speeding up the process of developing html/css?

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

Answer №4

Similar questions

What are the best methods for maintaining the appearance of my website when resizing my browser window?

What is the best way to receive a user's input date in Dynamics 365 using HTML/JavaScript?

Tips for resolving issues with media queries in CSS

Having trouble connecting a JavaScript file from my local directory to an HTML document. However, when I try to access it in the browser, I keep getting

Incorporating OTP verification into the registration process

HTML5 - Adding Space to Main Section with a Two-column Layout

Transferring Data Between Tables in ASP.NET Core

Tips for transferring information from a form to your email address

Utilize PHP to select the same checkbox across multiple pages of a form through a post request

Creating a visually appealing layout with three equal columns side by side in Bootstrap 4

Question: How can I use the jQuery datepicker to ensure that the selected date remains in the

When using an iPhone 6+ in landscape mode with tabs open on Mobile Safari running iOS 8, the Bootstrap navbar-fixed-top may experience difficulty in

Tips for centering a <div> vertically within another <div> ?

The font-weight property appears to be ineffective across all browsers

Can a hyperlink exist without a specified href attribute?

What is the best way to create a navigation bar that opens on the same page when clicked?

Troubleshooting image resolution issues in ASP web application (using C#)

Utilize Javascript or Jquery to intercept and handle both GET and POST requests

Transfer the contents from the text box field into the <p> tag

Refresh iOS / iPad website only upon scrolling, not when utilizing anchor links