Hello, everyone.

Here's the issue. I'm currently working on a Wordpress plugin using Notepad++, and everything is going well. However, there are numerous unnecessary steps that I need to take.

1. I write a few lines of code (I'm still new to php) and save it.
2. Then, I have to open Total Commander and upload the file to ftp.
3. After that, I switch to the browser and update the page with the activated plugin to see the result.
4. Unfortunately, sometimes the PHP code messes everything up, and I end up seeing a blank page.
5. To fix this, I have to go to the plugin section, deactivate it, then activate it again, and check for errors.
6. Sometimes, to understand how the code is being executed, I have to output variables to the browser window.
7. Then, I go back to step #1 and repeat the process all over again.

Is there any way to make this whole process less painful?

Yes, there are several ways to streamline your development process and make it less tedious. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Use an Integrated Development Environment (IDE): Consider using an IDE specifically designed for WordPress development, such as PhpStorm or Sublime Text. These tools provide features like code completion, syntax highlighting, and built-in FTP support, making it easier to write and deploy your code.

2. Set up a local development environment: Instead of constantly uploading files to an FTP server, set up a local server environment on your computer. Tools like XAMPP or Local by Flywheel allow you to run a web server locally, replicate your website, and develop the plugin without needing an internet connection.

3. Use a version control system: Git is widely used for version control, allowing you to track changes to your codebase and easily revert to previous versions if needed. By using Git, you can also collaborate with others more efficiently and maintain a history of your code changes.

4. Debugging tools: WordPress provides debugging tools that can help you locate and fix errors in your code. You can enable WP_DEBUG mode in your wp-config.php file to display PHP errors directly on the browser window, rather than encountering a blank page.

5. Utilize a local development tool like Query Monitor or Debug Bar: These plugins offer additional debugging and profiling information directly in your WordPress dashboard. They can help you identify performance bottlenecks, query issues, and other potential problems.

few more suggestions to improve your WordPress plugin development process:

1. Use a Code Editor with WordPress-specific features: Consider using code editors like Visual Studio Code or Atom that have extensions specifically designed for WordPress development. These extensions provide features such as code snippets, autocompletion, and syntax highlighting tailored to WordPress functions and hooks.

2. Automate deployment: Instead of manually uploading files to an FTP server, you can automate the deployment process using tools like Deployer or Capistrano. These tools allow you to define deployment scripts that automatically transfer your plugin files to the server with a single command.

3. Set up a local staging environment: In addition to a local development environment, you can create a staging environment that closely resembles your live site. This way, you can test your plugin in an environment that closely mirrors production before deploying it to the live site.

4. Use a PHP Debugger: Debuggers like Xdebug enable you to step through your PHP code, set breakpoints, inspect variables, and track the execution flow. Integrating a debugger with your IDE or using standalone tools like PHPStorm can help you identify and fix issues more effectively.

5. Implement unit tests: Writing unit tests for your WordPress plugin can help you catch bugs and regressions early in the development process. PHPUnit is a popular testing framework for PHP that you can use to write tests for your plugin's functionality.

6. Seek feedback from others: Joining online communities, forums, or developer groups dedicated to WordPress can provide you with valuable feedback and assistance during your development process. You can also consider participating in code review sessions to receive constructive critiques and improve your coding skills.


If you're looking for efficient alternatives to Notepad++ for WordPress plugin development or coding in general, here are a few options:

1. Visual Studio Code: Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a highly popular and versatile code editor that offers a wide range of features for efficient coding. It has excellent language support, a rich extension ecosystem, and built-in Git integration. VS Code provides advanced features like IntelliSense for autocompletion, debugging capabilities, and integrated terminal support.

2. Sublime Text: Sublime Text is another powerful code editor known for its speed and responsiveness. It offers a clean and minimalist interface and supports a wide range of programming languages. Sublime Text provides features like multiple cursors, split editing, powerful search functionality, and extensive customization options.

3. Atom: Atom is an open-source code editor developed by GitHub. It's highly customizable and extensible using packages and themes created by the community. Atom provides a modern and sleek interface, supports multiple panes, has built-in Git integration, and offers excellent Markdown support.

4. PhpStorm: PhpStorm is a dedicated IDE specifically designed for PHP development. It includes comprehensive tools for WordPress plugin development, such as intelligent code completion, code analysis, smart refactoring, and integrated debugging. PhpStorm also offers seamless integration with version control systems like Git.

5. Brackets: Brackets is an open-source code editor backed by Adobe. It focuses on front-end web development and offers live preview functionality, allowing you to see real-time changes to your HTML and CSS code. Brackets also has a vibrant extension ecosystem and supports preprocessor languages like SASS and LESS.

few more efficient alternatives to Notepad++ for coding and WordPress plugin development:

1. Eclipse: Eclipse is a popular open-source IDE that supports multiple programming languages, including PHP. It offers robust code debugging and profiling features, integrated version control systems, and extensive plugin support. Eclipse has a large and active community, making it a versatile choice for developers.

2. NetBeans: NetBeans is another powerful open-source IDE that supports various programming languages, including PHP. It provides features such as smart code completion, integrated debugging, and support for frameworks like WordPress. NetBeans also offers a user-friendly interface and strong community support.

3. Komodo IDE: Komodo IDE is a feature-rich, cross-platform IDE designed for web and mobile development. With support for multiple languages, including PHP, it offers advanced debugging tools, code refactoring capabilities, and an integrated version control system. Komodo IDE is known for its robustness and high performance.

4. PyCharm: While primarily focused on Python development, PyCharm also has excellent support for PHP. It offers features like code completion, code navigation, and integrated debugging. PyCharm's intelligent code analysis and error detection capabilities can be valuable for WordPress plugin development.

5. PHPStorm: PHPStorm is a specialized IDE by JetBrains explicitly designed for PHP development. It provides a comprehensive set of tools and features tailored for working with PHP projects, including WordPress plugins. PHPStorm offers advanced code analysis, refactoring, and debugging features, making it an excellent choice for PHP developers.

1. I recommend setting up a package of Apache + PHP + MySQL for yourself. To easily install it, I suggest searching the Internet for AppServ, downloading it, and following the installation instructions.
2. As an editor, I recommend using SciTE. It supports coding on almost any platform you can think of, making it suitable for your needs.
3. To edit files, simply go to the directory where AppServ is installed (usually c://AppServ/www). By saving your PHP code, you will immediately see the result. However, keep in mind that if you are using databases, you will need to make copies of them on your computer. Despite this inconvenience, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

Sublime Text is a suitable alternative to the proposed heavy and cumbersome IDE. It consumes fewer resources and is easier to set up (the trial version is forever, sometimes asks to be purchased, just decline and continue working). Moreover, there is a wide range of plugins available for it.

Instead of going through the hassle of using TotalCommander, you can utilize FTPSync, a Sublime Text plugin that automatically updates a file on a remote host whenever you save it.

However, this approach is not very convenient since it requires using a remote server for development.

I highly recommend installing and configuring Denwer to edit project files locally. Additionally, to avoid the need for manually refreshing the page in the browser every time, you can install the LiveReload plugin for Sublime Text, which will take care of it for you.

I have found Sublime Text to be a powerful and user-friendly text editor that greatly enhances productivity in coding tasks. Its extensive plugin ecosystem allows for customization and integration with various tools.