Apple.com WYSIWYG software

[sutty]

Hey,

Im very new here so please be gentle if this is the wrong forum...

I just wondered if anyone knew what software apple used to create apple.com? i guess its some thing a bit more complex than iWeb. I checked the meta tags for a generator tag but nothing? is it just dreamweaver like the majority of other websites for large companies?


Thanks a lot

Paul

 

[anim8or]

I would think that Apple have experienced Web programmers who most likely code straight into a text editor and then save as html.

Unlikley that they use WYSIWYG software.... correct me if im wrong.

 

[t0mat0]

By hand and a notepad editor...

 

[SrWebDeveloper]

If there is an Apple employee roaming about, they will chime in and correct anything I say, because what follows is best guess and generalization, not insider info:

First off, sites this complex involve numerous professional technologies mixed with open source frameworks, departments and development teams and software to build the site. In addition to being clustered and load balanced, I'm pretty sure numerous file, database, application and presentation (front end) servers all work together and are managed by many individuals.

But I got some interesting clues simply by looking at the job listings on their web site, specifically for a web developer position in Santa Clara, California:

Requirements:
- Passion for great user experience
- 2+ years developing web-based interfaces
- Expert knowledge of and experience in Javascript, CSS, HTML, and AJAX
- Experience in OO design and development, and one or more of: C, C++, Objective C, or Java.
- Interest in Cocoa development
- Solid working knowledge of OSX platform and Apple software suite.
- Fluent written communication and collaboration
- Understanding of server technologies
- BA/BS in Computer Science or equivalent experience

Here's another developer job in Austin for Apple:

• Experience building transaction web databases and reporting web databases in MySQL
• Strong knowledge of web database applications, and analytical programming techniques required
• Experience with the following technologies: PHP, Java, JSP, CSS, JavaScript, Graphing, HTML
• Proficient in the full database lifecycle of design, implementation, support and maintenance activities
• Experience in SQL tuning, writing complex queries, triggers and transaction logs
• Strong UNIX knowledge, including shell scripting desired
• Experience with design and layout
• Ability to work independently, on a team and in a fastpaced environment
• Able to manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously
• Excellent troubleshooting and customer service skills
• Experience with AppleScript and Excel macros a plus
• Object oriented programming using Java and PHP a plus

It's probably not fair to generalize based on these jobs, as any company targets specific technologies for a specific goal or task they need, meaning this does not necessarily represent their entire site framework.

Some of the above is for back end app development on the server, of course, not just front end web development. But you can see from the technologies and frameworks involved it's a mix of open source and proprietary major languages, *nix based and plenty of Apple based technologies as well. If you're expecting a simple answer to your question, I will say this much -- iWeb has nothing to do with it, by all appearances! (sarcasm subdued)

Now I am sure various folks at Apple might use Dreamweaver or Rapidweaver or whatever they like for basic layout and design, but when it comes down to it those who mentioned notepad and such, YES, I could not agree more. I'm totally serious, too! I just wanted to list all the technologies involved so that you can see using ONE product, much less iWeb, isn't how its typically done.

-jim

 

[sutty]

Wow! Thanks a lot to all for such a quick response. I didnt realise people actually coded when making such huge web sites. I mean i toy with web design and occasionally have to go into code view when DW lets me down, but i cant imagine having to manually write a whole site onto a blank canvas. I work for a jet engine manufacturer, *no names mentioned* and i know they use DW and apply the other languages and scripts etc into it when needed, i just assumed the other big companies do the same. Thanks a lot again!

 

[SrWebDeveloper]

Typically in a commercial situation for a large corporate web site a mockup is created first using placeholder content to show graphics, design and overall layout. Then it is sent to various teams who are responsible for parts, i.e. working with database folks and graphic designers and content providers to bring it all together in the form of a prototype which is tested and refined continually until publication. (highly simplified response)

On smaller projects (or less funded) the "web developer" might do all of these things! And yes, the coding is usually done by hand - because even plugins and modules and code snippets created automagically are often refined manually because it must be customized.

-jim