Evaluating XHTML Editors

Also in the freeware category is the all-powerful Altova’s XML Spy Home Edition, which is another excellent entry level application. As the name suggests, it is not a dedicated XHTML editor, but encompasses all things XML. The program has a lot of features, which is great if you’re looking for a complete solution, but for just XHTML editing, it seems like overkill.

Nevertheless, the main program window is divided into a well thought out workspace that lets you get on with the business of coding without getting in your way or distracting you. For creating a new XHTML document, you are given all the necessary document level elements, including the optional XML declaration as well as the XHTML namespace.
 
The application can be a little counter-productive if you’re looking to create XHTML Transitional documents, as the Strict DOCTYPE is added without giving you any choice. The validation and well-formedness checks are pretty impressive for a freeware application, better in fact than most other available editors; you can perform independent checks on the document being valid and well-formed, and the program picked up on most of the errors I threw at it. The only inconsistency is its allowance of some deprecated tags; it allows you to use the <b> tag, but it did pick up on the illegal use of the <font> tag.

It offers all of the standard extras, such as code-highlighting and automated element menus when typing an opening bracket, but surprisingly, if it does offer a line numbering facility, it is not immediately obvious. Still, this is  a great piece of software, even if it does leave you feeling as if you’re simply using the advertisement for a bigger and better edition.