What Does WYSIWYG Represent?

Adobe's Dreamweaver, Microsoft Expression Web and even the defunct Geocities page builder are WYSIWYG editors that allowed users to create Web pages and full websites without requiring the knowledge of HTML or other web codes and scripts.

Definition

• A "What You See Is What You Get" design program is one in which the design interface gives an accurate representation of the finished design as you're creating it. For example, a web design program that has a WYSIWYG interface shows a Web page similarly to how the user's Web browser will display the end result. Blogging scripts such as WordPress also offer a WYSIWYG editor for crafting posts.

Function

• WYSIWYG editors typically allow the designer to drag and drop elements such as images, forms, text, polls and other content around the page to customize the layout. In addition to this, designers can use toolbars similar to those in word processors and graphic-editing programs to further customize elements such as page backgrounds and colors. These features can help decrease the time it takes to create a website.

Considerations

• Designers who prefer to have full control over their websites may prefer a traditional coding program such as Notepad instead of a WYSIWYG editor. These editors may not use standard or semantic code that follow guidelines as set by the World Wide Web Consortium. WYSIWYG editors may also insert unnecessary code.