Web developers write code in a plain text editor. Plain text stores only the characters you type, without hidden formatting.
Word processors such as Microsoft Word and Apple Pages are designed for formatted documents. They can add information for fonts, headings, bold text, and page layouts, so they should not be used to create HTML or CSS files.
A basic plain text app can create code files, but a code editor makes the work easier. Code editors can add line numbers, indent code, color different parts of the code, and show all the files in a project folder.
For this course, the recommended editor is Visual Studio Code, commonly called VS Code. It is free and available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
VS Code has many features, but you do not need to learn them all before you begin. At first, you only need to know how to open a folder, create a file, type code, and save your changes.
On a Mac, TextEdit can also create code files, but it must first be changed to plain text by selecting Format > Make Plain Text. Using a code editor avoids this extra setup.
When you save a code file, include the correct file extension in its name. For example, save an HTML file as index.html and a CSS file as style.css, not as a .txt file.