Adobe Dreamweaver CS4

Dreamweaver is a powerful but easy-to-use web site development program that bridges the gap between designer and developer. Although it includes advanced features for developing complex data-driven applications, Dreamweaver’s intuitive interface and extensive libraries let even the novice web designer develop a professional web site quickly and easily.

The latest version, Dreamweaver CS4, includes extensive Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) support and conforms more clearly to the CSS design process by eliminating layers in favor of div tags, which can be controlled through CSS rules, and AP elements (which are equivalent to layers in previous versions). If you’re new to CSS, Dreamweaver includes a large number of predefined CSS layout pages, which make it possible to create professional-looking layouts that conform to the latest in web standards.

Dreamweaver’s interface makes it easy to design and manage both simple and complex web sites by providing a point-and-click interface that simplifies most tasks. Designers can drag and drop page elements in Design view, while developers can work directly with the page’s code, making use of the various tools Dreamweaver provides for ensuring correct syntax.

As in previous versions of Dreamweaver, the Property Inspector lets you specify attributes for the text and objects you insert, but includes an additional view for working with CSS. Commands are available in the Dreamweaver menus, as well as the panel groups, which can be expanded, collapsed, floated and hidden as necessary.

Top features:

FLV support
Integrate FLV files into any web page with point-and-click ease and standards-compliant coding. Design with your FLV movies playing in the new Live View.

Learning resources
Master web building with the comprehensive in-product tutorials in Dreamweaver CS4. Keep current with the latest web technologies through the community-driven help system.

Extended Dreamweaver community
Reap the benefits of the extensive Dreamweaver community, including the online Adobe Design Center and Adobe Developer Connection, training and seminars, developer certification programs, and user forums.

Cross-platform support
Work the way you want to work: Dreamweaver CS4 is available for Intel or PowerPC based Macs as well as Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Vista systems. Design in your preferred system, and deliver across platforms.

Advanced JavaScript functionality
Put the extended coding functionality of Dreamweaver CS4 to work by incorporating popular JavaScript frameworks, including jQuery, Prototype, and Spry. Simply attach the appropriate JavaScript external files, and Dreamweaver automatically displays code hints.

Live View
View your web pages under real-world browser conditions with the new Live View--while still retaining direct access to the code. This new rendering mode, which uses the open source rendering engine WebKit, displays your designs like a standards-based browser. Changes to the code are immediately reflected in the rendered display.

Related Files and Code Navigator
Dreamweaver CS4 introduces two new features that will help you more efficiently manage the various files that make up the modern web page. The Related Files feature displays all the documents associated with your current page--whether CSS, JavaScript, PHP or XML--in a bar along the top of your primary document. Click any related file to edit its source in Code View while viewing the parent page in Design View. Changes made to the related file code are immediately reflected in Design View.

CSS best practices
Implement CSS best practices without writing code. The new CSS tab in the Properties panel shows the styles for the current selection as well as all the applicable CSS rules. Hover over any property to view a tool tip with no-jargon English explanations of CSS principles. New CSS rules can be created and applied in the Properties panel and stored in the same document or an external style sheet. Dreamweaver CS4 even gives you control over the specificity of your rule: Just click Less Specific or More Specific in the updated New CSS Rule dialog box to target your style precisely.

Code hinting for Ajax and JavaScript frameworks
Write JavaScript more quickly and accurately with improved support for JavaScript core objects and primitive data types. Advanced code-hinting functionality helps you power through your code, whether you're adding functions to defined primitive data types (including Object, Array, Number, RegExp, or String) or DOM objects such as Window, Screen, Document, or Event. Dreamweaver CS4 also extends code-hinting muscle to your most advanced custom functions with support for parameters, class constructors, and nested objects, updated in real time as you modify your related JavaScript files.

Put the extended coding functionality of Dreamweaver CS4 to work by incorporating popular JavaScript frameworks including jQuery, Prototype, and Spry. Simply attach the appropriate external JavaScript files, and Dreamweaver automatically displays code hints on demand. Built-in syntax error detection helps you craft the bulletproof code you need--the first time, and every time.

Adobe InContext Editing
Enable content authors to edit their own web pages without additional software installations--and, at the same time, free yourself up to design more. The new online InContext Editing service from Adobe lets anyone who can use a browser update content quickly and easily. Design your editable pages in Dreamweaver CS4 to retain total control over the look and feel of your sites. Then, simply designate the parts of the page you want your clients to be able to change; all other sections of the page are locked, and editable only by you. Easily set CSS styles to ensure entered content is properly and consistently formatted. Dreamweaver gives you the tools to create the perfect website, and hosted InContext Editing lets your clients keep that site up-to-date. (InContext Editing is one of several online services available from Dreamweaver CS4. For more information, see Creative Pro Online Services on page 7.)

HTML data sets
The lure of dynamic data is strong, but learning to use databases or XML can be daunting. Dreamweaver CS4 combines accessibility with ease of use in the new HTML data sets feature. With HTML data sets functionality, you create your data in a standard HTML table, a series of div tags, or even an unordered list, and then choose Insert > Spry > Spry Data Set to integrate that data into a dynamic table on the page, complete with sortable columns, a master-detail layout, or other sophisticated displays. It's easier than ever, with real-time previews of your data--both for selection and results. Spry Data Set also works with XML files to render information from RSS feeds and other sources.

Adobe AIR authoring support
Create multi-platform desktop applications from your Dreamweaver HTML and JavaScript sites with new Adobe AIR authoring support. Download and install the latest version of the Adobe AIR Extension for Dreamweaver to begin creating engaging, branded applications that run on all major desktop operating systems using your existing web development resources with Adobe AIR. For a streamlined workflow, you can repurpose your existing assets into Adobe AIR desktop applications without leaving Dreamweaver. Preview your Adobe AIR applications within Dreamweaver CS4 to make sure everything is working as designed. When you're ready, prepare your application for deployment with Adobe AIR packaging and code-signing features. Dreamweaver also serves as an Adobe AIR development platform for custom applications. Adobe AIR applications run online or off--they can even be used to access a persistent data source populated from your database.

New user interface
Work faster and smarter across Dreamweaver CS4 and other components of Creative Suite 4, thanks to a new level of integration and common user-interface elements. A common interface means a more natural process as you move from Photoshop or Fireworks to Flash to Dreamweaver. Stack or minimize your docked panels to maximize your visual or coding environment; click once to pull out a panel and expose desired properties, and then click again to put it away. Work in new Split Code View to display your code in two different sections simultaneously, or choose the new Horizontal Split View option for a different perspective. Quickly move from one layout organization to another with the Workspace pull-down list. You can choose from a series of predesigned layouts--like those for application coders or designers--or create your own custom work environments for the ultimate in personalized workspaces.

Adobe Community Help
Get the power of an online search engine within your Creative Suite 4 software, but with more targeted results thanks to Adobe Community Help. Searchable content includes the in-depth product-specific Help that Adobe has always delivered, plus additional Adobe and third-party content chosen by experts at Adobe and in the design and production communities. With Adobe Community Help, you can find the focused answers you need, fast. (Internet connection required for extended content.)

InContext Editing
Make your web page content available for online editing by others when you use InContext Editing. Offer your colleagues, clients or end users an easier way to make simple edits without impacting the design integrity of your web pages--and without help from you or additional software on their computers. Use the InContext Editing toolbar in Dreamweaver to set up your web pages, and then use the preview of this online service to enable content changes by others. (This service will be available as a preview technology, and accessible from within Adobe Dreamworks CS4. During this preview, you can use it at no additional charge. Further availability information will be posted to www.adobe.com/dreamweaver when appropriate. Internet connection required).

Adobe Bridge Home
Visit Adobe Bridge Home - an online channel available in Adobe Bridge CS4--and stay up to date with what's new from Adobe and the design, web development, and video and audio production communities at large. Watch the latest video tutorials for your Creative Suite 4 software, listen to a podcast interview with a leading designer, or learn about the next training event in your community. Discover tips and resources that can help you work smarter and faster, making the most of Dreamweaver CS4. (Internet connection required.)

Part of the Adobe Creative Suite 4 family
Adobe tightly integrates Dreamweaver into the full range of Creative Suite 4 solutions for print, production and, of course, web. Shared user-interface elements like collapsible panels facilitate moving from one Creative Suite component to another.

System requirements:

• 1GHz or faster processor
• Microsoft® Windows® XP with Service Pack 2 (Service Pack 3 recommended) or Windows Vista® Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise with Service Pack 1 (certified for 32-bit Windows XP and Windows Vista)
• 512MB of RAM
• 1GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on flash-based storage devices)
• 1,280x800 display with 16-bit video card
• DVD-ROM drive