WYSIWYG

WYSIWYG (pronounced "wizzy-wig" or "wuzzy-wig") is an acronym for What You See Is What You Get, and is used in computing to describe a seamlessness between the appearance of edited content and final product. Today this is expected for word processors but in other situations, like web (HTML) authoring, this is not always the case.

Meaning
Most programs are not truly WYSIWYG since printing and page formatting are still hidden from view. Sometimes programs deliberately deviate from a true WYSIWYG view for convenience, for example by showing visual guides or comments that will not appear on the printed page.
 * A description of a user interface that allows the user to view the end result while the document or graphic character is being created.
 * For example, a user can see on screen how a document will look when printed.
 * Allows the user to concentrate entirely on how the content should appear.
 * Also refers to the ability of modifying the layout of a document without having to type (and remember) names of layout commands.
 * Also used to describe specifically a web-page creation program in which the user creates the webpage visually, while the program generates the HTML for it. Often users can also edit this HTML if they so desire.

Examples of WYSIWYG editors are:


 * Adobe Dreamweaver (~£400, however a discounted student version exclusively for students is available from Software4Students for about £85)
 * Microsoft Expression Web (~£120, or free for students from Dreamspark)
 * Nvu Web Designer (£0)
 * NetObjects Fusion Essentials (£0)