by Ken Knepple 

PHP Designer 2005 3.0.6 includes itself in the category that I love the most, and that category is free. Once you download this application it is yours to keep and is not on a trial basis. I want to start at the very beginning of it all and that is with the download. You must be very careful when you are installing the software because if you click right through the install you will end up with a PHP designer toolbar installed on your web browser. For those interested in the toolbar you can block pop-ups, save browser space, and search the web from anywhere. I personally never take advantage of these and don't really appreciate it when it seems like it is being snuck in there. Also after this if you do not uncheck some areas you will also create a desktop icon, and a QuickLaunch icon. So If you don't want these click through slowly. The download size of this application is 1.82MB and takes about 14 seconds using DSL.

From what I have seen if you are just starting out or feel that you are an experienced web developer either way you feel comfortable with this designer. This PHP editor is designed to provide you with the complete set of tools you need for PHP coding. The IDE in PHP Designer 2005 possesses many features that allow you to customize syntax schemes for PHP, CSS, HTML, C#, VB, JavaScript, XHTML, Java and SQL (Ingres, Interbase, Perl, MSSQL, Oracle, Sybase, MySQL and Standard SQL), a class/include browser, debug your scripts with the PHP interpreter, insert tools, automatic close brackets, parameter hint, auto indent of brackets. With all of these tools this application becomes a very powerful tool, and very powerful indeed if you also look at an extended list of tools such as code templates, ToDo manager, file manager, project manager, and an FTP manager.

This application was different then the HTML validator in that the look and feel of the software is nice. Still though to both their credit looks come secondary to functionality. The work area includes task panels and tool panels can be re-sized or even closed and easily brought back in to view. I can see how this software applies to both an expert who has been around the block and a beginner that is just getting their feet wet. The reason I say this is because a beginner can practice with this all they want without the designer being to harsh on their code, while the application is powerful enough for an expert to design a complex web page.

I for example am a beginner and new to the world of PHP and considering it has tools like manual or automatic syntax highlighting, that can be customized would help someone who is trying to feel their way through a new language. Also if you do have PHP installed it can also do a syntax check and you can download manuals. I am also not a fan of having to search for the end of each line off the page and you have the availability of the controversial word wrap which can be turned on or off. Some developers love word wrap while others hate it.

This being my third review I feel this is the best application I have looked at so far. The last month I looked at an HTML Validator, and Notepad+ that both were very good pieces of software but the PHP Designer 2005 3.0.6 is over the top and it is fully functional and has something for everyone.