[Web4lib] Development interface and editor

[Jorge Biquez]

Hello all.
I am sorry if this is kind of off-topic.

- Can you comment about what GUI interface do you use (if any) for 
PHP Development?

- Can you comment on what editor do you use for PHP development? (yes 
i know is a matter of what you like but since I do not use any other 
that simple notepad looking for better options).

I will explain a little further.

Actually I am running Freebsd 7.3 on a couple of production servers. 
No problem. I installed the exact same configuration on a vmware 
machine on my old laptop and everything is running fine. Both 
configurations have the same packages and everything. That way I can 
test before putting under productions and could be able to work even 
without internet connection.

Since I have no previous experience I am using notepad as my simple 
text editor for php and do ftp the php files to the virtual freebsd 
machine. I know I can edit directly under the freebsd machine and I 
have done using ee as my simple editor.

I have developed under other languages but now I need to get a new 
job and I am working hard to became a more than a novice php 
developer with mysql.

Anyway, can you give me your advice on what are my best options to 
have a GUI interface or a good editor. I have been asking friends 
also. I friend told me to move to mac and use bbedit with a php 
extension or something like that. 
Another told me to get anold 
product for developing web pages that has its own editor and ready 
for php. The advantage is that has syntax checking and a help 
included with php syntax uses, examples, etc. ANother told me to use 
Eclipse  and the last one told me to buy a product that the guys from 
programmer's paradise that if I am not wrong is a gui for development 
only under php (problem here is budget since I guess is kind of 
expensive) As I mentioned I do not have experience and that's why I 
am asking that.

I hope you can share your thoughts and experience.

Thanks in advance