Manage and edit texts in standard documents and HTML files by opening them with the application supporting Web element import, source file editing, and creation, code processing, text coloring, etc. The program includes a search engine for browsing file contents.
BBEdit is intended for editing text. In this regard, the tool is specifically meant to write code, mostly HTML. This application has a straightforward interface, which looks similar to other text processors. If there is one word to describe it is “simple”, as it is deprived of superfluous adornments, which may favor focusing on the writing task.
BBEdit does not come with features like text formatting and image editing. However, it has a lot of other conveniences. For instance, it can use color codes to identify parts of the text or check spelling. It can also help you write code by supporting code folding and automatic completion. One of the best advantages of BBEdit is its powerful search function. In this regard, the application can find and replace specific text strings, with support for searching multiple files in a single operation.
Special mention is deserved by those features that allow creating web pages. In this respect, BBEdit supports various types of documents, such as HTML5, XHTML 1.1, XHTML 1.0 and XHTML 4.01. It also allows formatting the different sections of a web page, even if you do not know or do not remember the exact code. Luckily, there is also the possibility to preview your work using the built-in browser. Yet, HTML is not its only supported language, for the tool allows editing code in many others, including C++, Perl, Ruby, Java, Python, and SQL.
You should bear in mind that BBEdit is not convenient for processing formatted text. Similarly, it may not be the best choice for creating web pages if you prefer to use a WYSIWYG editor or any other similar tool that does not require knowing HTML.
To conclude, if you are looking for a text editor you can use to write code, BBEdit should be one of the tools to consider. It comes with various features that allow managing projects as well as uploading the resulting code using FTP and SFTP transfers, which may be greatly appreciated by programmers and web designers.
v13.0 [Oct 3, 2019]
Pattern Playgrounds - The "Pattern Playground" window provides an interactive interface for experimenting with the behavior of Grep patterns (regular expressions). This makes the process of creating complicated patterns much less trial-and-error, since you can see exactly what will match, and how, before committing to any irreversible actions.
Grep Cheat Sheet - The Grep Cheat Sheet provides quick access to many common regular expression idioms as well as brief descriptions. It's great not only for learning how to write regular expression ("grep") patterns, but also for experienced Grep users. The Cheat Sheet is available in places where you commonly write Grep patterns: the Find, Multi-File Search, and Pattern Playground windows; as well as in the "Process Lines Containing", "Process Duplicates", and "Sort Lines" dialog boxes.
Improved Dark Mode support and appearance switching - BBEdit 13 can automatically follow the system appearance (works great with macOS Catalina's automatic Dark Mode switching), or you can have BBEdit's appearance always be dark (or light). Set separate color schemes for each appearance mode, and they change automatically!
Live searching from the Find window - As you edit your search string and options in the Find window, BBEdit will automatically highlight matches in the editing window right behind.
Apply Text Transform - Use this command to quickly apply any transformation from the Text menu to multiple files or folders.
The "Commands" Command - This was added in BBEdit 12.5, but it's too cool not to mention it again here. This panel gives you quick keyboard access to any available menu command in BBEdit. Use a handy keyboard equivalent (Command-Shift-U, or set your own) and get a panel showing every available menu command. Type a few characters and quickly get down to the menu command, recent file, clipping, script or text filter you're looking for. Hit Enter or return, and you're off to the races.
