I always want a simple and fast application but still has all the necessary features (syntax for CSS, Javascript, HTML, auto-complete, file explorers/project management). However, I can?t seem to find anything that?s make me feel really satisfy .

So my choice is combine between Visual studio and Notepad++. To completely implement a website, I using VS. Change a little bit when necessary with Notepad++ and tweak around with Firebug.

I really wish Windows have something like Coda(for MacOS only). It?s all in one application and has all I require. If you know any good IDE/Code editor, please let me know. Thanks.

Bellow is my reviews of some applications I used to find the most suitable for me.

Heavy weight champions

They contain every features I like and the problem is they have even much more features than what I want. They have so much horsepower that make them forever to warm up.

I?m using Visual Studio right now, it has quite good editor and syntax, and special its auto-complete feature work like charm (the new version?s even support jQuery).

Aptana is my second choices. It?s good as it?s integrated with a lot of different Js framework. Unfortunately, it takes forever to load up. Don?t know if it?s only because of my computer or it?s actually like that. Also, sometime the auto-complete for the javascript isn?t really good and a bit mess.

Dreamweaver is quite nice with its Live View. Adobe claims its live view is twice faster then test on browser. The folder and the assets manage is alright, but be honest, I don?t really find myself use it a lot. In fact I?m not use Dw a lot as my main choice is VS and second choice is Aptana so my idea about Dw could be not so correct.

Despite the fact that those application are so powerful, you don?t want to wait more then 1 minute just to change the title of a file from ?MR. A? to ?MR. B?. That?s why I need a light weight apps as well.

Light weight champions

Now, if you google a HTML/Web editor, you will be sunk in a huge list of apps. Some are free, some are commercial, but most are useless.

My choice for a light weight champions is Notepad++. Simple interface, easy to use, support many different language, advanced search functions. It has a few useful plug-in and a lot more functions which unfortunately, I don?t find seem to use a lot. The important point is, it does what it suppose to, a light weight, fast code editor.

Another choice is Crimson Editor. I think they are quite equal, I just prefer Notepad++ because I?m used to that. But both of them are equally fast. Notepad++ has a bit more functions but well, it?s rarely used anyways. Unfortunately, both of it don?t show CSS syntax in HTML file.

A lot of people use VIM. It?s quite good, it?s just a bit hard to use for me. Could any tell me how to use this thing please!!!

A few more candidate such as Textpad, EditPlus(Commercial)

Medium weight

I tried the a few of it, it?s actually remind me of the old MS FrontPage or old Macromedia Dreamweaver. However it?s commercial, you have to pay for it. It?s slow to load and lack of auto-complete which?s not suit for a lazy guy like me. So I have to drop it. I found most of unknown commercial HTML editor is kind of like that, medium weight competitors but could never be a champion.

Update (18/02/2009): I have tested the E-TextEditor which rborn recommend and I have to say, it's absolutely brilliant. Don't let its simple look fool you. It has a good syntax highlight engine, there's completion feature and specially it has its own revision system. It's not free though, but worth it. Give it a try, you have 30 days trial anyways.

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