Word Press and Dreamweaver

I am wondering if this program works well with Dreamweaver,

No, it doesn’t. No PHP script works with any wysiwyg editor. You can use DW only in code mode when editing WP files.
If you know xhtml and css you don’t need DW ??

Thanks, yes, I agree–I haven’t been using Dreamweaver much except to check for coding, now that I know CSS/XHTML. It doesn’t seem to have much use.

However, my bigger question is–is this program good for coming up with designs and templates and things like that that are not sooo complicated with so many weird coding rules?

I don’t want to be too boxed in by templates on the one hand, but I also do not want to be trying to figure out designs that are so complicated I never get my site up.

my bigger question is–is this program good for coming up with designs and templates

What is “this program”? DW or WP?
WordPress has Themes – that are built from several template files.
https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Stepping_Into_Templates
https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Theme_Development
https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Blog_Design_and_Layout

Download 2-3-10 themes, dissect them and see how they are done:)
https://themes.wordpress.net

I use both WP and DW a LOT.

I develop a design in DW, using xhtml and css (and js, etc as needed)…. when I have a design working, layout wise – css layout, that is – and I know it is x-browser compatible, I move on to WP development.

I set up the wp site, set up my template files, from header.php, etc to footer.php, etc, then put my xhtml/css markup in where needed.

No, you won’t see much in design view once you are working on the php files – sadly. If you want this (as I do) GET VOCAL WITH ADOBE! It’s been mentioned as a possible feature, but requests for such functionality (understanding basic WP functions, such as get_header(), etc) are what drives Adobe to improve the product.

There is a DW extension that adds a WP insert bar for wp functions (tagstention, just google it) that is useful.

To get vocal with Adobe, add your request via their bug submission form (https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/mmform/index.cfm?name=wishform)

and state your case for wanting WordPress support in Dreamweaver. I have.

So, to summarize, DW works well to develop a layout (static) then in code view, to develop the php and ftp files as needed. I also use it to edit the db sql file if moving from one domain to another.

hth – and yes, looking at other themes is one way to do things, as is (very important) reading the codex documentation.

However, my bigger question is–is this program good for coming up with designs and templates and things like that that are not sooo complicated with so many weird coding rules?

The documentation is best for getting base loop methods, etc… and yes, you can build those template files in DW, though it will not display using the visual/design view.

But, just edit, upload and view in a browser. Or edit the files in the WP admin. The advantage of DW for editing is that you can use its other features, functions and extensions easily (from code view) and ftp new files up (like plugin files) from one app.

To avoid overly-complex themes, find a simple one to start with and learn about what you don’t understand in it by searching the documentation and these forums.

HTH

I use a plain editor (OK, not so ‘plain’ – PSPad) and have a local XAMPP installed.
I have the different verison of WP there, like
localhost/221/

and I start working on a theme that is located at
localhost/221/wp-content/themes/mynewstuff/
– after editing the php files and/or stylesheet I just have to take a refreshed look at it in the browser: voila, my changes are there.

Thanks for all these comments and suggestions. I do develop my templates and page looks in DW, but yes, it is true, now that I know CSS better I almost never look at anything but code view.

When you are talking about “themes,” do you mean prepackaged templates for pages in WP that I can then altar the code?

That seems to be what I am looking for. Is this the main advantage of WP? I am confused about what this program does–it is for setting up blogs in an easy way primarily? Or can I use it to design my whole site. Thanks!

Not to design a site. But to control – yes.
This is NOT a design tool. This is a CMS (if generally speaking) = Content Management System. In a narrower way: it is a blogging tool.

Themes are template files and css file – they define the look of your blog (site).
What is a Theme?
and if you are “visual” > see this anatomy.

For prebuilt themes you can check out dozens of commercial sites with a google search. Also, free themes that you can download right away and hack are at https://themes.wordpress.net

As far as DW and WordPress, this DW extension aims to bridge the gap between WordPress and Dreamweaver, or at least on the themes design front. It supports Code Hints for WordPress’s template tags in DW’s Code View, but also dives into WordPress’s other APIs.

https://www.themedreamer.com/news/dwloveswp