Introduction
“Dreamweaver CC: The Missing Manual” by David McFarland is a comprehensive guide to Adobe Dreamweaver CC, a powerful web design and development tool. This book serves as an essential resource for both beginners and experienced web designers looking to master Dreamweaver CC’s features and capabilities. McFarland, an experienced web developer and author, provides readers with a thorough understanding of how to create, design, and manage websites using this popular software.
The main purpose of this book is to fill the gap left by Adobe’s official documentation, offering clear explanations, step-by-step tutorials, and practical examples that help readers make the most of Dreamweaver CC. McFarland’s approach combines technical knowledge with real-world applications, making it an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to enhance their web development skills.
Summary of Key Points
Getting Started with Dreamweaver CC
- Introduction to the Dreamweaver interface:
- Overview of the workspace layout
- Customizing panels and toolbars
- Understanding the Document window
- Setting up a new site:
- Defining local and remote site structures
- Configuring FTP settings for file management
- Creating and managing web pages:
- Working with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files
- Using templates for consistent design
HTML Basics and Page Structure
- Understanding HTML5 fundamentals:
- Semantic tags and their proper usage
- Creating well-structured, accessible web pages
- Working with text and images:
- Formatting text using HTML and CSS
- Inserting and optimizing images for the web
- Creating links and navigation:
- Internal and external linking strategies
- Building effective navigation menus
CSS and Page Styling
- CSS fundamentals in Dreamweaver:
- Creating and applying CSS rules
- Working with selectors, properties, and values
- Page layout techniques:
- Using CSS for responsive designs
- Implementing flexbox and grid layouts
- Typography and color management:
- Choosing and applying web-safe fonts
- Creating color schemes and applying them consistently
JavaScript and Interactivity
- Introduction to JavaScript in Dreamweaver:
- Adding basic interactivity to web pages
- Working with events and functions
- Using jQuery and other libraries:
- Integrating popular JavaScript libraries
- Creating dynamic user interfaces
- Form validation and processing:
- Building and styling web forms
- Implementing client-side form validation
Responsive Web Design
- Understanding responsive design principles:
- Mobile-first approach and fluid layouts
- Using media queries for different screen sizes
- Creating responsive layouts in Dreamweaver:
- Working with fluid grid layouts
- Implementing responsive images and media
- Testing and optimizing responsive designs:
- Using Dreamweaver’s responsive design tools
- Cross-browser and device testing strategies
Advanced Dreamweaver Features
- Working with templates and library items:
- Creating reusable design elements
- Managing site-wide updates efficiently
- Integrating with other Adobe tools:
- Photoshop integration for web graphics
- Using Adobe Stock and Creative Cloud assets
- Version control and team collaboration:
- Implementing Git version control in Dreamweaver
- Collaborating on projects with multiple developers
Publishing and Maintaining Websites
- Preparing sites for publication:
- Checking for broken links and accessibility issues
- Optimizing site performance
- Uploading and synchronizing files:
- Using Dreamweaver’s built-in FTP capabilities
- Maintaining local and remote site synchronization
- Ongoing site maintenance and updates:
- Implementing content management strategies
- Tracking and resolving site issues
Key Takeaways
- Dreamweaver CC provides a powerful, all-in-one environment for web design and development, suitable for both beginners and professionals.
- Mastering the Dreamweaver interface and workspace customization is crucial for efficient workflow.
- Understanding HTML5 semantics and structure is fundamental to creating accessible, well-organized web pages.
- CSS is essential for creating visually appealing and responsive designs, and Dreamweaver offers robust tools for CSS management.
- Responsive web design is a critical skill, and Dreamweaver CC provides built-in tools to facilitate the creation of mobile-friendly websites.
- JavaScript integration allows for enhanced interactivity and dynamic content, with Dreamweaver supporting various libraries and frameworks.
- Templates and library items in Dreamweaver enable efficient site management and consistent design across multiple pages.
- Dreamweaver’s integration with other Adobe tools enhances productivity and streamlines the design process.
- Version control and collaboration features make Dreamweaver suitable for team projects and large-scale web development.
- Proper site planning, testing, and maintenance are crucial for successful web projects, and Dreamweaver provides tools to support these processes.
Critical Analysis
Strengths
Comprehensive Coverage: McFarland’s book excels in its thorough exploration of Dreamweaver CC’s features. It leaves no stone unturned, providing readers with a complete understanding of the software’s capabilities.
Practical Approach: The author’s use of real-world examples and step-by-step tutorials makes complex concepts accessible to readers of all skill levels. This practical approach ensures that readers can immediately apply what they learn.
Up-to-Date Content: The book keeps pace with the latest web design trends and Dreamweaver updates, including responsive design techniques and integration with modern web technologies.
Clear Writing Style: McFarland’s writing is clear, concise, and easy to follow. Technical concepts are explained in a way that is understandable to beginners while still providing value to experienced users.
Emphasis on Best Practices: Throughout the book, the author emphasizes web design best practices, ensuring that readers not only learn how to use Dreamweaver but also how to create high-quality, standards-compliant websites.
Weaknesses
Rapid Software Evolution: Given the frequent updates to Dreamweaver CC, some sections of the book may become outdated quickly. Readers might need to supplement their learning with online resources for the latest features.
Limited Advanced Topics: While the book covers a wide range of topics, some advanced users might find that certain complex subjects are not explored in great depth.
Print Format Limitations: As a print book, it lacks the interactivity and updatability of online resources. Video tutorials or interactive examples could enhance the learning experience for some readers.
Contribution to the Field
“Dreamweaver CC: The Missing Manual” makes a significant contribution to web design education by bridging the gap between official software documentation and practical, real-world application. It serves as both a learning tool and a reference guide, making it valuable for a wide range of users.
The book’s emphasis on modern web design principles, such as responsive design and accessibility, ensures that readers are prepared for contemporary web development challenges. By covering not just the “how” but also the “why” of web design practices, McFarland elevates the book beyond a mere software manual to a comprehensive web design resource.
Controversies and Debates
While the book itself hasn’t sparked significant controversies, it touches on some debated topics in the web development community:
The relevance of WYSIWYG editors: Some developers argue that code-centric approaches are superior to visual editors like Dreamweaver. McFarland addresses this by emphasizing Dreamweaver’s code editing capabilities alongside its visual tools.
Dreamweaver vs. other development tools: The book’s focus on Dreamweaver might be seen as limiting by advocates of other development environments or frameworks. However, McFarland’s principles and best practices are largely applicable across different tools.
Balancing design and development: The book attempts to strike a balance between visual design and coding, which can be a point of contention in the web development community. Some may feel it leans too heavily towards one aspect or the other.
Conclusion
“Dreamweaver CC: The Missing Manual” by David McFarland stands out as an exceptional resource for anyone looking to master Adobe Dreamweaver CC and improve their web design skills. The book’s comprehensive coverage, practical approach, and clear explanations make it an invaluable tool for both beginners and experienced designers.
McFarland successfully demystifies complex web design concepts while providing a solid foundation in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript within the context of Dreamweaver CC. The emphasis on modern web design principles, such as responsive design and accessibility, ensures that readers are well-prepared for the current demands of web development.
While the book may have some limitations due to the rapidly evolving nature of web technologies and software updates, its core principles and thorough exploration of Dreamweaver’s features make it a worthwhile investment for anyone serious about web design.
Overall, “Dreamweaver CC: The Missing Manual” is highly recommended for its ability to transform readers from novice designers to confident Dreamweaver users capable of creating professional, standards-compliant websites. It serves not only as a guide to the software but as a comprehensive introduction to modern web design practices.
This book can be purchased on Amazon. You can support the author and this summary by using the following link: Dreamweaver CC: The Missing Manual