JavaScript and Ajax for the Web: Visual QuickStart Guide, Seventh Edition

What Tools to Use?

Since JavaScript is just plain text, you could use almost any kind of text editor. You could even use a word processor like Microsoft Word, though you would always have to make sure that Word saved the file as Text Only, instead of in its native file format. HTML, JavaScript, and CSS files must always be in plain text format so Web servers can understand them.

You’re better off using a program that has plain text as its standard format. On Windows, many people get away with using Notepad (Figure 1.8). On the Mac, you can use TextEdit, though a favorite of professionals is BBEdit, by Bare Bones Software (Figure 1.9). On Unix machines, Emacs is one of the best text editors available. No matter what program you use, don’t forget ...