How Do You Edit A PHP File?

[BlueBetty]

I've got quite a nice Wordpress theme installed but I need to edit a php file that comes with it.

Is there a free html/wysiwyg editor that can do the job? I know you can edit it in note pad but a html editor would be a lot easier for me.

Tasha

[Paul Becky]

I would use phpdesigner, free for personal use

MPSOFTWARE - phpDesigner - The Best PHP Editor & PHP IDE!

[Adam Sussman]

Here you go :-)

KompoZer - Easy web authoring

Adam

[Ron Killian]

Yes, most editors should work, after all it's really just text. I've used Dreamweaver and NVU.

[Paul Becky]

I didn't know NVU can edit PHP
and Dreamweaver not free after all

[Ron Killian]

Seems kind of odd two people that joined at the same time, one asks a question, the other has the signature to the solution. Maybe it's just me

[Paul Becky]

Originally Posted by Ron Killian

Seems kind of odd two people that joined at the same time, one asks a question, the other has the signature to the solution. Maybe it's just me

Whose signature did you meant?

[charlesburke]

If it's a Wordpress theme, why aren't you just editing it in the built-in theme editor? That's what most folks do.

Cheers, Charles

[SusanneUK]

Originally Posted by charlesburke

If it's a Wordpress theme, why aren't you just editing it in the built-in theme editor? That's what most folks do.

Cheers, Charles

I agree with Charles, use the built in editor, take it slowly and before you edit any of the php files (or any file) take a full copy of the code and put it in notepad so you have that to paste back in if something doesn't work.

After you have it done how you want, take a full copy of the new code and also paste that into the notepad so you always have both to work from if you need it later.

Cheers
Sue

PS if you want help with it, pm me and I will see what I can do but I will be away from the computer for a few hours shortly.

[Ron Killian]

With the recent virus going around, major problems, and injecting web pages, it's another good reason why it might NOT be a good idea to use things like the built in editor in Wordpress, leaves your files too open.

I am no security expert, but I think, why take the chance. Why give them more ways to get in?

[SteveJohnson]

With the recent virus going around, major problems, and injecting web pages, it's another good reason why it might NOT be a good idea to use things like the built in editor in Wordpress, leaves your files too open.

I am no security expert, but I think, why take the chance. Why give them more ways to get in?

Too open to whom? Who is 'them' and how can they get in through the WP file editor? If they're in your WP backend, the game is over anyway.

[Ron Killian]

Originally Posted by SteveJohnson

Too open to whom? Who is 'them' and how can they get in through the WP file editor? If they're in your WP backend, the game is over anyway.

From what I remember, to be able to use the built in editor you need to set your theme file permissions to 777. Open as it gets. I could be wrong?

It could be more secure than I know, guess I "try" to plug up as many holes as possible. Been hacked to many times in the past, it's no fun.

Seems it's more important these days when you could end up with a site that is unreachable because of a Browser warning. Can't imagine what it could do to your ranks.

I meant open to hackers of course.

[SteveJohnson]

If a server setup requires that perms be at 777 for WP to write to the file, you need to change hosting companies.

In some cases, WP can write to the theme files if the theme directory is set to 755 and each file is set to 644.

FWIW, I'm not a fan of the theme/file editors and I don't use them very often. But when I have to make a quick fix to a client's site that doesn't require me to archive the files, I'll occasionally use it. The PROPER (if you want to call it that, perhaps SECURE is a better word) way to use the theme editor is to change the file perms when you need to edit, then change the permissions back when you're done.

Almost as easy just to use FTP, grab the file, modify and upload.

[Ron Killian]

I wasn't sure if it was 777 or 755, thanks for clearing it up

Never used it much myself, so maybe I shouldn't have spoke. I just knew there was some permission settings that needed to be changed.

I find it just as easy or easier to edit in Dreamweaver and "put"

With all the viruses and hacking lately, and so many people leaving themselves open.

[BlueBetty]

"Seems kind of odd two people that joined at the same time, one asks a question, the other has the signature to the solution. Maybe it's just me
"
-----------------------------------------------

I've only been on here a few weeks and I've asked quite a lot of questions without people giving links so yes this is just coincidence.

I've used the built in editor but the theme has a php feature file where you can advertise ebooks, etc and looks quite professional. It says you can use widgets to alter it but that seems more complicated than altering the php file at the moment as I'd like to use the same layout that is already there.

[SusanneUK]

Originally Posted by BlueBetty

"Seems kind of odd two people that joined at the same time, one asks a question, the other has the signature to the solution. Maybe it's just me
"
-----------------------------------------------

I've only been on here a few weeks and I've asked quite a lot of questions without people giving links so yes this is just coincidence.

I've used the built in editor but the theme has a php feature file where you can advertise ebooks, etc and looks quite professional. It says you can use widgets to alter it but that seems more complicated than altering the php file at the moment as I'd like to use the same layout that is already there.

Just wondering if this is a Flexsqueeze Theme by any chance?

Also, just going to send you a pm as we are in the same location

Sue

[Colin Evans]

I use HTML-Kit with a couple of PHP plugins, and I have Wamp installed on my PC so I can test the blogs/scripts...