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Behaviors | Templates | Library Items | Repetitive Tasks | Spry Tools |
on Dreamweaver
The term behavior is used to describe its pre built JavaScript that extends XHTML to perform actions it cannot do on its own. This allows you to do a lot of neat things to your site: swap images, apply effects to text, open a browser in a smaller window, and add popup messages. You are also able to do client-side validation on any pages containing forms using Spry Tools. Spry Form Fields gives you flexibility and control over check boxes, lists, and text fields. Adobe Dreamweaver Exchange is available online for access to many more behaviors you can use on your site.
If you want your text to have a behavior and be a link at the same time; you will have to remember to link your text before adding behaviors. You can attach behaviors to images without turning the image into a link. Popup messages can be useful if you need your audience to know or understand what will happen if they continue or it can just be a fun thing you add (remember not to over do these behavior, it may take away from your site or bother the user).
Templates can be used to make many pages look consistent and updating changes throughout the site a breeze. They can lock in what ever format you choose; be it images, fonts, style sheets, colors, and behaviors. All the while leaving other parts of your page editable. You as the creator of the site get to choose what is editable and what you prefer not to be messed with.
As you know internet pages have '.html' at the end. You will know if you are working with a template when you see '.dwt'. When you make a change on the template Dreamweaver will ask and update all child pages produced from that particular template. You may also apply a template to an existing document.
You may save a document from File > Save As Template, make sure you say Yes to updating links. Templates are stored in the Assets tab, click the button second from the bottom on the left side. When you hover over the buttons they will tell you which is what. Dreamweaver also has some templates you can use.
This is a print screen showing an example of Modifying a Template with editable sections.that have the highlighted box by them.
Library items allow you to change individual page elements, both in and out of templates. You will need to highlight what you want to be added as a library item. You are able to apply the item to any page you wish. To modify the library item go to the Assets tab, like with the templates, the bottom button is labeled 'library', click the edit button down at the bottom and change what you need to. Dreamweaver will ask if you want to update pages, click update to do so.
Simply drag the library item to the new page, and Dreamweaver will place code there indicating that the code displayed is a library item. The true power in the library items is not in creating them, but in re-using them. You can place your library items on any page in the Dreamweaver Web site it is defined in. Then when you edit it, Dreamweaver will update every page that is using that library item.
This is a print screen showing an example of Modifying a Library Item. The copyright was changed from 2005 to 2005-2007.
This is a print screen of a preview of what the site will look like in a cell phone.
Automating Repetitive Tasks gives you the option to do repetitive tasks in a couple quick easy steps when doing a table. The 'History' panel memorizes and replays steps you've done while creating your web page. You perform the formatting as you wish; when you have completed them, choose the Window > History. The past actions will be there, simply highlight the formatting you wish to repeat (hold down the Shift key for more than one) and click the Replay button.
You have the option to save your history steps as commands as well, this converts the selected steps into JavaScript so they can be replayed them from any document. Click the History and select steps, click the Save button in the lower right hand corner to open the Save As Command. Give your command a name. Then position your cursor to the spot you would like to use that formatting, choose Commands > Format Table Label.
Using Find and Replace is another repetitive task that will save you time when changing a something, such as a word. Select the word(s) you would like to replace, choose Edit > Find and Replace. You can choose the Entire Current Local Site to ensure that all pages within your current site will be searched. In the Search box choose Text, in the Find field type the word(s) you would like to find, in the Replace field type the word(s) you wish to replace. A pop-up will tell you that the operation cannot be undone in the documents that are not currently open; and are you sure you want to replace all matches, click Yes.
Note that when you choose the Entire Current Local Site this will not change your <title> tag. You will need to choose Source Code in the Search menu when you are using the Find and Replace command. Click Yes to the warning dialog box when it appears. I think these options are beneficial to get familiar with.
This is a print screen of what your screen will look like after using the Find and Replace.
Spry Tools gives you the ability to enhance your web page. Making it more interactive, attractive, and structural. Widgets are probably the most fun and interesting ones to use. These allow you to group your information without using alot of screen space.
The Spry Menu Bar inserts a navigation bar with pop-up menus on your page. Spry Tabbed Panels puts a series of containers on your page that are revealed when the user clicks on a tab. Spry Accordion inserts two or more collapsible panels that indepently slide open when selected. Spry Collapible Panel allows you to use one panel to be revealed when clicked on, perhaps you have alot of information you want on your page but don't want to use all the screen space.
Ajax-Asynchronous JAvaScript and XML-is a group of interrelated web development techniques used to create interactive web applications or rich Internet applications. With Ajax, web applications can retrieve data from the server asynchronously in the background without interfering with the display and behavior of the existing page. The use of Ajax has led to an increase in interactive animation on web pages.
Spry-is the framwork that allows you to intergrate interactive elements into your web pages using Ajax implementations.
XML-is a strict set of guidelines for tagging data in a text file that enables it to be read and processed by any system or device capable of reading text files.
Spry Widgets-allows you to create inactive elements such as pop-up menus, tabbed panels, collapisble panel, or accordion panels (two or more more collapisble panels).
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