Both Microsoft FrontPage, as well as Adobe Dreamweaver are software products being used to create and modify Html files.
FrontPage was created by Vermeer Technologies, Inc., which was bought by Microsoft in 1996. Interactive web pages are also developed using Frontpage technology.
The most popular web creation tool is Dreamweaver. It was previously called Macromedia Dreamweaver because Macromedia designed it.
Because of their background and parent firm, there are several variations between both software applications, and this article will assist you in understanding the features and distinctions between the two.
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft FrontPage is discontinued, while Adobe Dreamweaver remains a popular web development tool.
- FrontPage offers limited features compared to Dreamweaver’s extensive capabilities, including support for multiple programming languages.
- Dreamweaver integrates seamlessly with other Adobe products, providing a more comprehensive design and development experience.
Microsoft Frontpage vs Adobe Dreamweaver
FrontPage was discontinued in 2003 and was a more beginner-friendly tool, offering limited functionality and design options. Dreamweaver is a more advanced tool, offering a wider range of design options, including more coding options, it is still widely used today by professional developers.
FrontPage by Microsoft was a pioneer in Web-content creating software. Creating Web sites necessitates the modification of software code while adhering to Internet standards as well as those of servers as well as browsers.
FrontPage handled these adjustments in the backend and added a visual appearance to programming and HTML editing, making it easier to design a site, even for users who don’t know how to code.
Adobe Dreamweaver is a professional web tool developed by Adobe Inc. Macromedia invented it in 1997 and continued to build it until Macromedia was bought by Adobe Systems in 2005.
Adobe Dreamweaver is accessible for both Mac OS X as well as Windows. Considering Adobe’s purchase of the Macromedia line of products, Dreamweaver updates after version 8.0 were more W3C interoperable.
Support for Internet technology such as CSS, JavaScript, and numerous server-side programming languages and frameworks has been increased in recent editions.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Microsoft Frontpage | Adobe Dreamweaver |
|---|---|---|
| Launch date | Microsoft’s Frontpage was launched in November 1995 as a pioneer HTML editing tool for webpage creation. | Adobe Dreamweaver was launched in December 1997. |
| Last Update | The Microsoft frontpage is currently discontinued and the last update patch was in 2006. | The Dreamweaver received the latest Adobe update in October 2021. |
| Scripting languages Supported | Microsoft Frontpage only supported HTML documents. | It supports several scripting and coding languages like HTML, XML, CSS, ColdFusion, JavaScript and XSLT. |
| Good For | It is a good software for starters and novices. | It is a good software for professionals. |
| Compatibility | The Microsoft Frontpage was only compatible with Windows Operating system. | Adobe dreamweaver is compatible with both Windows OS and Mac OS. |
What is Microsoft Frontpage?
FrontPage is a piece of software that allows users to create and modify Html files. Vermeer Systems created the software, but it was purchased by Microsoft in 1996 so that FrontPage could be included in its product portfolio.
FrontPage may be used to develop web pages as well. Users may design a web page in whatever way they wish to view it on a browser.
The program automatically inserts HTML source code to ensure that the web browser shows such a page correctly.
The FrontPage program also uses server addons. Such extensions consist of a collection of applications that operate on the host.
FrontPage users may add dynamicity to their web pages by using a sequence of scripts.
FrontPage employed a “what-you-see-is-what-you-get” unique vision with a Word-like user interface and friendly customizable layout to conceal the specifics of hypertext markup language required for Internet-based web page creation and to make it easier for individuals without programming abilities to construct pages.
Templates, as well as themes, provided a starting point for modification, which aided in maintaining design consistency across a website.
Tables plus layers allowed for basic element editing and layout and typical tasks like dynamic button construction were incorporated.
What is Adobe Dreamweaver?
Adobe Dreamweaver is a prominent web creation software application.
Dreamweaver has advanced functions, allowing users to build simple web websites and more interactive ones – Side scripting, CSS, ColdFusion, JavaScript, XSLT, and XML.
It is more than simply an HTML editor; it also handles a variety of programming languages. That is the most powerful and feature-rich web-building tool.
It is accessible both for Windows and Mac operating systems, allowing users to sample online pages in their individual browsers.
It includes an FTP client, an easy programming framework, and a WYSIWYG editor with a powerful script style and auto-complete capabilities.
The current version now has a Live View option, which helps individuals to see processes in real time. The live view provides instantaneous updates anytime there is a modification in the website’s content.
This function saves time and allows experts to experiment with alternative codes while avoiding mistakes.
Skilled people use the application’s script style, allowing people to access the code and use the auto-complete function.
For novices, there is indeed a design view with a WYSIWYG interface that creates code automatically.
Main differences Between Microsoft Frontpage and Adobe Dreamweaver
- FrontPage is a Microsoft software, whereas Dreamweaver is an Adobe application. Furthermore, Microsoft’s Frontpage is obsolete since Dreamweaver is significantly more powerful and up-to-date.
- FrontPage can only produce and modify HTML documents, but Dreamweaver can understand any coding language, including XML and HTML.
- FrontPage is designed for beginners, whereas Dreamweaver is exclusively for pros.
- FrontPage is developed for the Windows line of products, although Adobe’s Dreamweaver is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS.
- Frontpage was last updated in December 2006, but Dreamweaver’s latest update was released in 2020 and is widely used.
- https://helpx.adobe.com/ca/dreamweaver/release-notes.html#:~:text=The%20latest%20version%20of%20Dreamweaver,2021%20release%20(version%2021.2).
- https://www.webdesignmuseum.org/old-software/html-editors/microsoft-frontpage-98
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️
Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
FrontPage was a great start for many, but Dreamweaver takes the lead with its advanced features and compatibility with both Windows and Mac OS.
I have to disagree. I’ve found FrontPage to have too many limitations and Dreamweaver has been my go-to web development tool for a long time.
This post does an excellent job distinguishing the main differences between Microsoft Frontpage and Adobe Dreamweaver.
I’ve had a great experience with both software applications and I believe this to be a very informative post.
I’m glad you found it informative Owen53.
Finally, a detailed comparison. I’ve been looking for this type of information, I have to say, this is very helpful.
The comparison table is concise and straight forward. Definitely a great reference for anyone looking into web development tools.
The breakdown of advantages and disadvantages between the two is very beneficial.
I completely agree, Will79.