New User Question PHP or .net

[Guest]

Sorry to be asking such a newbie question my background is Windows

 

I'm new to PHP and have just come across OsCommerce in my search for a new ecommerce code base to develop from. I had previously been looking at new .Net applications like BVCommerce, StoreFront.Net, DotNetnuke (version of Asp.net web matrix) - and even things like Actinic.

 

The functionality and look of OsCommerce - is frankly shockingly good!

 

Whilst I will be employing the respected talents of a coder in the appropriate language (Php or Asp) - I want some element of GUI view of the project or pages so that cosmetic stuff can be done or tweeked by me.

 

I have downloaded the source for OsCommerce, plus a copy of Zend Studio. If I open any .php file with Zend or Dreamweaver MX, I'm effectively just viewing a load of Html code plus tags.

 

Does this mean that practically all coding is done 'hard coded' - even tables etc - effectively no gui design time assistance. I know you coders are wizards - but this is seriously hard work.

 

Thank you for your assistance and apologies again for such a dumb question (I've have spent hours on this before I got to this point)

 

Cheers, Antony

 

p.s. The cost of OsCommerce is not the reason for considering it - more that the end result beats the competition! I only hope that I've missed some GUI editior or startup file that

[Guest]

for gui design, you have to have a web server going and then have the files located under the web server, in order to see them in the gui mode with dreamweaver.

[Guest]

Thanks for your reply John.

 

Where would I find out about setting this up or whats it called (it's not really 'debugging' - since this would be non gui again. I guess it's considered to be a assumed knowledge, but any hints as to where I start would be appreciated.