Dreamweaver MX

Dreamweaver is a popular Web authoring package which combines visual page editing with HTML source code control. Its support for "Rountrip" editing means that developers can more precisely control the level of editing that is automatically applied to various areas of the HTML coding without endangering existing code and content. Roundtrip editing can be applied to HTML, XML, and server-side code such as ASP, JSP, CFML, and PHP. In addition, users can customize the Dreamweaver interface and instruct it to ignore any tag structure that the user needs to define.

Additional Dreamweaver features include site management tools, such as a built-in visual site map, global search and replace, FTP, and site synchronization options; a JavaScript code library and API for the automation of common cross-browser JavaScript effects; and a client side JavaScript debugging tool.

The latest release of Dreamweaver, dubbed Dreamweaver MX, combines the functionality of several separately available products into the Dreamweaver package. In addition to the original visual layout and editing engine, Dreamweaver now includes the functionality from the package formerly known (and no longer available separately) as Dreamweaver UltraDev (for server-side application editing, such as ASP, JSP, or ColdFusion), and additionally supports HTML code editing based on HomeSite technology (though HomeSite 5 will continue to be available as a separate product). Other key highlights of Dreamweaver MX include:

- A new workspace, integrated with the new Fireworks MX and Flash MX, featuring panel docking, file browsing, and tabbed windows

- Added server-side development support for ASP.NET, ColdFusion MX, and PHP

- Support for import, edit, and validation of XML Schemas; XHTML output and HTML to XHTML conversion

- Multiple tools optimized for ColdFusion MX developers; including wizards and reference information, integrated debugging, and Web services support.

Of further note to Dreamweaver developers is the Macromedia Exchange for Dreamweaver (see related link below), a growing collection of independent extensions to the Dreamweaver authoring platform.

Dreamweaver MX is now available with a price tag of $399 (upgrades $199). It is available independently, and as a member of Macromedia's new Macromedia Studio MX, which also contains Fireworks MX, Flash MX, FreeHand 10, and a developer's edition of ColdFusion MX. Macromedia Studio MX is initially priced at $799 (upgrade $599).