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Microsoft Expression Web VS TextWrangler

Compare Microsoft Expression Web VS TextWrangler and see what are their differences

Microsoft Expression Web logo Microsoft Expression Web

Microsoft Expression Web, part of Microsoft's Expression Studio, is an HTML editor and general...

TextWrangler logo TextWrangler

TextWrangler is a very capable text editor. What sets BBEdit apart is its extensive professional feature set including Web authoring capabilities and software development tools.
  • Microsoft Expression Web Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-23
  • TextWrangler Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-10

Microsoft Expression Web features and specs

  • Integrated Development Environment
    Provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface that supports a wide range of web development tasks, making it easier for developers to manage workflows.
  • Standards Compliance
    Ensures that web designs are standards-compliant, supporting modern web standards like HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript, which helps in creating cross-browser compatible websites.
  • SEO Tools
    Includes built-in SEO reporting and analysis tools that help optimize web pages for search engines, thereby improving website visibility and reach.
  • Code Validation
    Supports real-time code validation that helps identify and correct errors in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code, leading to cleaner and more efficient code.
  • FTP Integration
    Features integrated FTP functionalities allowing easy deployment and management of websites directly from the development environment.
  • Compatibility
    Can be used alongside other Microsoft tools and services, such as Visual Studio and Azure, enhancing the overall development ecosystem.
  • Multitasking Capabilities
    The Surface Duo 2 features two screens, allowing users to run two apps simultaneously, increasing productivity and efficiency for multitasking.
  • Slim Design
    With its slim and sleek design, the Surface Duo 2 is highly portable and easy to carry, making it convenient for users on the go.
  • Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem
    Seamless integration with Microsoft services and applications is a strong point, making it ideal for users who are deeply embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem.
  • High-Quality Displays
    The device offers high-resolution displays that provide vibrant colors and sharp images, enhancing the user experience for viewing content.
  • Innovative Form Factor
    Its dual-screen design represents an innovative approach to mobile devices, offering new possibilities for interaction and app usage.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft Expression Web

  • Discontinuation
    Microsoft Expression Web has been discontinued, meaning no new updates, features, or support will be provided, which may lead to potential security and compatibility issues over time.
  • Learning Curve
    Although user-friendly, it has a learning curve for those who are new to web development or those coming from different development platforms.
  • Limited Language Support
    Primarily focused on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and may not support other web development languages as comprehensively as some other modern IDEs.
  • No Server-side Scripting
    Does not provide robust support for server-side scripting languages like PHP or ASP.NET, requiring developers to use additional tools for backend development.
  • Outdated Resources
    The lack of updates and support means that the tool may not keep up with the latest web technologies and practices, making it less suitable for modern web development.
  • High Price
    The Surface Duo 2 is relatively expensive compared to other smartphones, which may deter potential buyers looking for more affordable options.
  • Limited App Optimization
    Not all apps are optimized for the dual-screen experience, which can lead to a less-than-ideal performance or user experience on some applications.
  • Battery Life
    The battery life may not be as robust as other devices, especially when using both screens extensively, leading to more frequent charging.
  • Camera Quality
    The camera quality may not match up to other flagship smartphones, which can be a drawback for users who prioritize photography.
  • Lack of 5G
    The device does not support 5G connectivity, which might be a limitation for users looking to future-proof their device with the latest network technology.

TextWrangler features and specs

  • Free
    TextWrangler is available for free, which makes it accessible to a wide range of users without any financial investment.
  • Lightweight
    TextWrangler is lightweight and runs efficiently, which means it doesn't require significant system resources and can run smoothly even on older computers.
  • Syntax Highlighting
    The editor supports syntax highlighting for a variety of programming languages, which helps developers easily read and understand code.
  • File Comparison
    TextWrangler includes a robust file comparison feature that allows users to easily spot differences between files, which can be useful for code reviews and version control.
  • Search and Replace
    The advanced search and replace functionality, including multi-file search, allows users to quickly and efficiently manage large codebases.

Possible disadvantages of TextWrangler

  • Mac Only
    TextWrangler is available only for macOS, which means it cannot be used on other operating systems such as Windows or Linux.
  • Limited Features
    Compared to more advanced code editors and integrated development environments (IDEs), TextWrangler lacks some features such as integrated debugging, autocomplete, and extensive plugin support.
  • No Longer Developed
    As of March 2017, TextWrangler has been discontinued and is no longer being updated. Users are encouraged to switch to BBEdit, which is also from Bare Bones Software.
  • Basic User Interface
    The user interface is quite basic and may not appeal to users who prefer more modern and customizable interfaces.
  • Limited Language Support
    While it offers syntax highlighting for many languages, it does not support as many programming languages and frameworks as some more comprehensive IDEs.

Analysis of Microsoft Expression Web

Overall verdict

  • Microsoft Expression Web is considered a decent tool for web development, especially for those who prefer a visual interface.

Why this product is good

  • Expression Web was well-regarded for its WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor, support for modern web standards like HTML5 and CSS3, and integration with other Microsoft services. It also provided useful features like syntax highlighting, code suggestions, and live previews.

Recommended for

  • Beginners in web development who benefit from a visual editing tool.
  • Designers who prefer a mixed approach of designing and coding.
  • Developers who integrate with other Microsoft tools or services.

Analysis of TextWrangler

Overall verdict

  • TextWrangler was well-regarded during its time, but it has been discontinued by Bare Bones Software. Users are now recommended to use BBEdit, the successor to TextWrangler, which offers more advanced features and continued support. Therefore, while TextWrangler was good, current alternatives like BBEdit provide better functionality and support.

Why this product is good

  • TextWrangler, developed by Bare Bones Software, has historically been considered a solid choice for text editing, especially among developers and professional writers. It offers a clean interface, is lightweight, and supports features like regex search, syntax coloring for various programming languages, and scripting support. Many users appreciate its speed and efficiency for text editing tasks.

Recommended for

    Originally, TextWrangler was recommended for programmers, writers, and anyone needing a reliable text editor for coding, writing, or text manipulation tasks. As it is no longer maintained, users seeking similar capabilities should consider BBEdit or other modern text editors like Visual Studio Code or Sublime Text.

Microsoft Expression Web videos

Surface Duo Review: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly!

More videos:

  • Review - Microsoft Expression Web 4 - Viewing Features
  • Review - Microsoft Launcher Review! [Android App]
  • Review - Microsoft Surface Duo Review: ONE YEAR LATER
  • Review - Install Microsoft Expression Web 4 on Windows 10
  • Review - OK! WHAT'S NEW IN MICROSOFT LAUNCHER BIGGEST UPDATE! v6
  • Review - Microsoft launcher - Why should you check it out! - Quick Look & Guide (2020)
  • Review - Microsoft Surface Duo Review in 2022 - Microsoft Redeems Itself!

TextWrangler videos

creating first website page with an html editor : TextWrangler

More videos:

  • Review - 11: NetBeans and TextWrangler - programming tools for Mac OS X

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Microsoft Expression Web and TextWrangler)
Text Editors
56 56%
44% 44
Note Taking
100 100%
0% 0
IDE
45 45%
55% 55
LMS
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Microsoft Expression Web and TextWrangler

Microsoft Expression Web Reviews

Top 8 Dreamweaver Alternatives for Web Designers
We suppose we should not miss this member from Microsoft while checking out best alternatives for Dreamweaver. Expression Web 4.0 is a Windows-only tool for building web pages with ease through the direct code editor. The tool comprises almost the same user interface of Dreamweaver and does not compromise in the functionality as well. In that sense, being a free application...
Source: xtendedview.com

TextWrangler Reviews

We have no reviews of TextWrangler yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, TextWrangler seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Microsoft Expression Web mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Microsoft Expression Web yet. Tracking of Microsoft Expression Web recommendations started around Mar 2021.

TextWrangler mentions (1)

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Microsoft Expression Web and TextWrangler, you can also consider the following products

Adobe Dreamweaver - Adobe Dreamweaver is a proprietary web development tool developed by Adobe Systems.

Sublime Text - Sublime Text is a sophisticated text editor for code, html and prose - any kind of text file. You'll love the slick user interface and extraordinary features. Fully customizable with macros, and syntax highlighting for most major languages.

UltraEdit - UltraCompare is the name of an advanced level of file and folder comparison platform that is loaded with an advanced level of features and functions.

Notepad++ - A free source code editor which supports several programming languages running under the MS Windows environment.

Eclipse IoT - Eclipse IoT provides the technology needed to build IoT Devices, Gateways, and Cloud Platforms.

KISS Launcher - KISS is a fast launcher for your Android.