Dreamweaver UltraDev 4.0 (B000050B9M) - Reviews and Prices

Editorial Review:

Dreamweaver UltraDev is an enhanced version of Macromedia's leading Web-authoring tool. The standout additional feature is dynamic content, which is when pages have live links to databases or other types of server-side scripting. Most products of this type require extensive manual coding, but UltraDev has an extensive library of built-in scripts, called Server Behaviors, that allow even moderately sophisticated sites to be built with little or no code. Version 4 looks similar to its predecessor, but includes important changes that make it more complete and easier to use.

One of the best new features is the split code and design view, which lets you edit either the code or the visual design and see changes instantly echoed between them. There is also built-in security, so you can create login procedures and password-protected sites. Finally, the Live Objects wizards automatically create page elements to handle common tasks, such as a master/detail page set, or forms to insert and update records.

UltraDev supports three kinds of server-side scripting: Active Server Pages, JavaServer Pages, and Cold Fusion. Unfortunately, it does not support PHP, which is popular on Linux and Unix servers, although because UltraDev is extensible, there may be some third-party add-ins. The features for the three models are similar but not identical, although in every case there is excellent database support. Its great strength is that you can focus on designing your pages and let UltraDev handle the data access code. You can even display live data at design time, making it easier to get exactly the right appearance.

Everything in Dreamweaver is also in UltraDev, so this is the ideal package for Web authors who need to add dynamic content with a minimum of fuss. --Tim Anderson

Build ASP, JSP, or CFML Web applications quickly by using Macromedia Dreamweaver UltraDev 4. Rapidly build database-driven Web applications in a single design environment, and maintain total control over source code. Professional hand-coding environment includes ASP, JSP, and CFML keyword color-coding, autoindenting, punctuation balancing, and the ability to debug client-side JavaScript directly in your browser. View live, server-side data in the workspace, and make edits to layout and logic on the fly. Maximize productivity with built-in server behaviors, the ability to create your own library of reusable server behaviors easily, and powerful shortcuts for creating user authentication, master/detail pages, and more. Improve development efficiency with sitewide reports, project tracking, and integration with version-control systems like Microsoft Visual SourceSafe for Windows and leading content-management systems.

Customer Reviews:

Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0

Outstanding!:

UltraDev is an outstanding tool that extends the functions of DreamWeaver to include database connectivity. It's got more features and functions than DreamWeaver and it is a little bit more complicated to learn (naturally, your dealing with databases and the coding involved in integrating them with your previously static web site).

They really should take the WinME out of the platforms on which it will run. You can do it, but have to tinker with your OS instead of just installing it. For best results, get... more info

Make Dynamic Apps - FAST:

I am the Internet Manager for an art supply company, and a web programmer at heart. I manage 5 people, and a couple of websites for our company. We bought Dreamweaver and Ultradev 4 copies for everyone about 4 months ago, and I have become completely ADDICTED to this product.

I have done more than my fair share of hand coding, notepad was my previous editor. And though the hand coding purists may pooh-pooh this kind of product, I will never go back. This product has allowed me to become about 8 times as... more info

A vastly improved product...:

I was pretty hard on UltraDev 1 because of the editor. Well, the editor is vastly improved, with color-coded code and will auto-indent for you. Better than that, you can show the window as a split view, with the preview on top (or bottom). This way, your code window no longer needs to hover over your HTML preview.

If you can swing it, get the version that is integrated with Fireworks 4. See my review of this product, because it is truly a rewarding experience (5 stars just because of the seamlessness) to... more info

• Academic & Commercial
• Business
• Children's Literature
• Editing
• Fiction
• General

• General AAS
• Genre Fiction
• Journalism
• Newspapers & Magazines
• Nonfiction

• Play & Scriptwriting
• Poetry
• Technical
• Travel
• Writing Skills