Writing HTML code using text files

Question

Level 1

0 points

Writing HTML code using text files

I am currently in a computer class in college and we are learning about writing HTML codes using text files. When we are done writing the code in a standard text file, we simply use the file extension of .htm to turn it into a html document.(PC-Microsoft XP). However, when i tried to write code using the text/edit application on the mac it simply showed the code that i had written when i converted it over to an HTML document. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience writing basic HTML code/tags on Macs. It has to start off in a text file so i can view my source later on.

Thanks guys

Intel iMac Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Posted on Apr 3, 2007 11:28 AM

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Answer 1

Boece

Level 5

6,264 points

Apr 3, 2007 11:33 AM in response to musicperp88

To avoid a confusing explanation of what is going on with TextEdit -- why not just download the free Taco HTML editor program. Will be better for writing code anyway:

http://tacosw.com/index.html

Has syntax highlighting and page preview.

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Answer 2

myhighway

Level 5

7,270 points

Apr 3, 2007 1:15 PM in response to musicperp88

Hi musicperp88!
I've never taken any computer course, so I'm not sure what you're referring to when you say "using text files." ??? You couldn't include any example of what you've learned? or isn't that what we're talking about?

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Answer 3

Tim Yang

Level 2

425 points

Apr 3, 2007 1:42 PM in response to musicperp88

Text does render the HTML by default, you can set it to edit plain text if you need to.

If you want to stick with text edit and don't want to use any 3rd party apps, here's an official guide to set it to work with plain text and html:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106212

or you can just go to the edit menu and select Make plain text (don't remember exactly wording), input your html code and save as plain text, then change the extension to html in finder.

hope it helps

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Answer 4

myhighway

Level 5

7,270 points

Apr 3, 2007 2:55 PM in response to musicperp88

While in an application, such as "TextEdit," use the "Help" menu located on the menu bar.

Prior to saving your completed TextEdit file as a .rtf file, or as a .htm file, use the "Format" pull-down to select "Make Plain Text" for saving. That file can easily be changed by later changing the extension - however, it can't be opened as an .rtf file unless it was originally saved as an .rtf file.

Try it. Weird, eh?

Message was edited by: myhighway

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