Proper visual formatting for code within the HTML editor.

Proper visual formatting for code within the HTML editor.
Posted 2021-08-05 14:21:30 #502348 Previously with our old WYSIWYG editor, there had used to be a separate "Code View" tab containing the raw HTML of our posts, visually formatted such that the background is black and the code itself is in a readable, easy-to-edit Monospace font. This update has essentially forced Code View on us as the sole editing mode, and as I understand the reasons for this, I feel it can be visually improved. Generally the best environment to be editing code (in my experience at least) is, above all, using a Monospace font such as Consolas or Courier, and second, having color-coded elements highlighted for easier identification between text and code. For example, when displaying HTML, Pastebin automatically colors in specific portions of the code to identify between element types, inline styles, actual text, etc. The image below should show what I'm talking about: Amidst a Consolas font and a dark background (Im not pushing for a dark background really but the other two points in particular), the text colors the syntax of the HTML while leaving the text a legible and noticeable white. Why am I suggesting this? Well, the current editor as it stands is a white box with sans-serif font, providing nothing for color-coding or ease of reading. Sure, it's a place to write accurate code and it works, but coding or even editing small stuff within the box will prove tedious for folks who have to squint to differentiate between text and code, let alone differentiate among entire sections of code; it is very easy for the eyes to get lost and confused in a glob of code-text, and mine are incredibly prone to doing that. While I'm very unsure how feasible implementing this suggestion is, I figured it would be worth a shot to suggest anyway.	barks at you #202

Posted 2021-08-05 14:21:30

#502348

Previously with our old WYSIWYG editor, there had used to be a separate "Code View" tab containing the raw HTML of our posts, visually formatted such that the background is black and the code itself is in a readable, easy-to-edit Monospace font. This update has essentially forced Code View on us as the sole editing mode, and as I understand the reasons for this, I feel it can be visually improved.

Generally the best environment to be editing code (in my experience at least) is, above all, using a Monospace font such as Consolas or Courier, and second, having color-coded elements highlighted for easier identification between text and code. For example, when displaying HTML, Pastebin automatically colors in specific portions of the code to identify between element types, inline styles, actual text, etc. The image below should show what I'm talking about:

Amidst a Consolas font and a dark background (Im not pushing for a dark background really but the other two points in particular), the text colors the syntax of the HTML while leaving the text a legible and noticeable white.

Why am I suggesting this? Well, the current editor as it stands is a white box with sans-serif font, providing nothing for color-coding or ease of reading. Sure, it's a place to write accurate code and it works, but coding or even editing small stuff within the box will prove tedious for folks who have to squint to differentiate between text and code, let alone differentiate among entire sections of code; it is very easy for the eyes to get lost and confused in a glob of code-text, and mine are incredibly prone to doing that.

While I'm very unsure how feasible implementing this suggestion is, I figured it would be worth a shot to suggest anyway.

*barks at you*
#202

Posted 2021-08-05 14:25:55

#502351

(im gonna save this spot for additions etc)

*barks at you*
#202

Posted 2021-08-05 14:30:36

#502355

I support! While people who know their way around HTML and computers and such argue that the text editor update was necessary, it's making it difficult for a lot of people without that experience to communicate like they were used to.

Keeping the same functionality while making everything more readable, like the "Clean Old Formatting" scrubber already does, would help a lot! Then it's much less intimidating as a huge wall of incomprehensible text and more something that can be broken down into little pieces, like - here is the code in green (or whatever). Here is the text in white (etc).

Every single code editor I have seen has or at least allows for different functions to be different colors and I think this would help a lot with the backlash against the update and aid in understanding and ease if use for the future.

Zea
#27549

Posted 2021-08-08 09:52:22 (edited)

#503762

Support, it would help differentiate everything that's put down. Blocks of text would be a tad more digestible if there was a noticeable color difference. I like the new editor, but sometimes it's hard to tell what's what as it currently is.

Whirligig (Hiatus)
#11137

Posted 2021-08-11 23:41:00

#505391

I support entirely, especially coloring in specific elements with different colors!

︴▹ speedyscout 🏔️
#22155

Posted 2021-08-18 13:01:11

#507880

I've taken HTML courses, let alone those who barely know basics, the code makes me uneasy while typing here. Seeing all the code in one line while editing looks discouraging and typing HTML tags makes me unsure when it's blended in text.

Most of players wouldn't like to type Wolvden posts somewhere outside this site while I'm using an app that lets me see tags in colors and split this one line of code into line breaks.

This site needs tools that let players move tags into separate line breaks and vice versa (switch between < and \n< as well as > and >\n) and distinguish tags from text.

Dżanek
#24018

Posted 2024-03-31 08:09:33

#1183299

I support this. I went on a three-ish year long hiatus and came back just yesterday. My CSS had broken, so I went to change and update my coding. I will admit I was very confused. I am lightly knowledgeable with HTML, and the formatting is confusing and hard to read. I greatly miss the WYSIWYG version and would at least settle for something easier to read and nicer formatted.

I wanted to reopen an old art shop I had here that did pretty well - however the whole thing is coded and now I simply cannot read the coding well enough to be able to do anything with.

KΛƧƧ 🌻
#936

Proper visual formatting for code within the HTML editor.

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