Discovering WebMatrix: A Fun Tool for Building Websites

When it comes to creating websites on a Windows system, there are plenty of web development applications to choose from. Notepad++, Netbeans, Eclipse, Komodo, Aptana, you name it! These applications get the job done, and many of my developer friends swear by them.

But if you’re looking for an application that seamlessly integrates with the Windows system, then you definitely need to give WebMatrix a try.

WebMatrix is a fantastic, lightweight web development tool developed by Microsoft. It made its debut in 2010, with the aim of making web development a breeze using popular languages like HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript (including jQuery), PHP, and ASP.NET.

So, let me give you a sneak peek of what WebMatrix brings to the table.

Unleash Your Creativity with WebMatrix

If you’re looking for a top-notch code editor like Dreamweaver, Coda, or Textmate, you’re in good company. Many people are turning to these professional tools for their coding needs. But what if I told you that there’s an even easier way to install the software you need? Read on to find out more.

How to Install WebMatrix

In 2009, Microsoft introduced the Web Platform Installer, a central hub for all their web development applications. It’s just like an App Store or Google Play, but specifically for Microsoft web development software. This includes the fantastic tool we’re talking about, WebMatrix.

When you click on “Install,” WebMatrix will take care of getting everything you need for it to work. This includes .NET framework, IIS, and MsSQL. If you’re planning on working with a PHP application, like WordPress, that requires MySQL, you’ll also want to install that. Just go to the “Products” tab and you’ll see MySQL listed under “Databases.”

Exciting Features

Hey there! Let me tell you about some cool features in WebMatrix that are perfect for front-end development. Check them out!

Embracing Web Standards

When it comes to building websites, WebMatrix has got you covered. It loves web standards! When you start a new project, it automatically sets you up with clean and simple HTML5 code. And if you want to take it up a notch, you can even choose the HTML5 Boilerplate from the Template Gallery.

Writing CSS3 syntax has never been easier! When I’m writing styles, WebMatrix has got my back. It shows me handy auto-complete suggestions for both standard CSS3 properties and those specific to certain vendors. Not only that, it even gives me a brief description of what each property is used for. How cool is that?

Hey there! Did you know that WebMatrix is a pretty cool tool that can really make your life easier when it comes to web development? One of the great features it offers is auto-completion, which is available for several programming languages like PHP, ASP, and JavaScript. It even includes support for popular libraries like jQuery and jQuery Mobile. So whether you’re coding in PHP or JavaScript, you can rely on WebMatrix to help you out with handy auto-completion suggestions. How cool is that?!

Open Source Web Applications

Creating a web application from scratch can be quite challenging. That’s why many developers choose to build upon existing open source applications. With WebMatrix, it’s even easier because it comes with popular open source projects like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal. It simplifies the installation process, allowing you to get your project up and running quickly with just a few clicks.

If you want to explore even more open source web applications supported by WebMatrix, you can visit the Application Gallery. There you’ll find a comprehensive list of all the options available.

Additionally, when working with WebMatrix, you’ll benefit from a nifty feature called auto code-completion! It’s like having a knowledgeable assistant right beside you, ready to suggest the perfect WordPress functions as you type. How cool is that? This handy feature saves you time and effort, making the process of developing web applications even smoother. So, no more searching through documentation or memorizing function names – WebMatrix has got you covered! Just start typing, and let the auto code-completion do its magic. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can build your web applications with this clever tool.

CSS Preprocessors Support

I’m sure you’ve heard of CSS Pre-processors before. They’re a handy tool for developers that let us write more dynamic and maintainable style rules. We’ve talked about them a lot in our previous posts, so you probably already know a bit about them.

If you’re a fan of CSS Pre-processors, you’ll be happy to know that WebMatrix has got your back. You can easily create a new stylesheet document for Sass, SCSS, or LESS. And the best part? WebMatrix will even provide syntax highlighting and auto code-completion to make your life easier.

Device Simulators

If you’re working on mobile development, you’ll definitely need to have some simulators handy. Luckily, WebMatrix has got you covered. You can install simulators for popular devices like the iPhone and iPad. And if you’re using Windows, don’t worry, the Windows Phone Simulator should already be pre-installed by default.

Welcome to the CSS Pre-processor Compiler!

Hey there! If you’re working on CSS Pre-processor, you’ll definitely need to install the OrangeBits Compiler extension. It’s an essential tool that will take care of compiling your syntax into plain CSS for you. No worries about dealing with complex code anymore!

Final Thoughts

In addition to the features we just talked about, WebMatrix has a lot more to offer. If you’re curious and want to learn more, here are some great resources for you:

Take a look at the WebMatrix Features Walkthrough on the Microsoft website.

In our next post about WebMatrix, we’ll be diving into developing WordPress, covering everything from installation to customization and deployment. So, stay tuned for that!