That's ok Brett. I was not disputing the way in how Elgg manage the css files, I knew why it's made like that and it's ok for me. I'm using that trick only for my theme, and it could be even a temporary solution, getting back the css code into the php file when it's done.

About the autocompletion, I think it's up to any one -novice or experienced- the selection of the tool or the technics to use.

@morgar - if you are talking using a hack for your localhost, testing environment, it might make it easier - for the novice - to do the editing and see the results. But, as you suggested, the code should be brought back into the PHP file for production uses.

Ok, ok, I'm a novice, I must admit it ;)

As morgar also inferred, this was not really intended as a final 'release' solution, but a way to make development/testing a little easier while working on a theme.  The whole point of this discussion was to explore other ways to solve this simple annoyance (the fact that I am asking infers that I wasn't all that happy with my current 'workaround').

I will have to try out Komodo Edit out.  It sounds like it gives you a little more control over how things work.  I always appreciate that. Although I am not sure I understand the Ukrainian reference.  I am sure it is just an inside joke I missed.

Thanks for the input.

I really do not know what the fuss is all about..

I just tried wrapping the css code and everything worked just fine..

The php file starts with <?php and this tag closes with ?> before even the css code starts..

All I had to do is add <style type="text/css"> after the ?>... uploaded and tested... all good.

If you know your stuff, you should know that the <style type="text/css"> will be dumped anyway and all it will be good for is to trick your editor.

@Morgar, may be if you give it a test since you are using DW and then let us know if its not too much trouble.

Thanks.

@danielwells - Don't you know that Ukrainians are all poor and use cracked software?  LOLZ!  :-P  So, if I have a paid Komodo IDE license, then I am sure you can too! Afterall, you're in the richest country on Earth, aren't you?!  :-)

Again, I don't think Carlos' solution is needed.  Just get a better editor / IDE.  ...By the way, danielwells, it's the IDE that you'll need, according to the table of differences.  But, certainly the Edit is much more powerful than most software solutions.  I do own Dreamweaver CS4 (yes, the paid license as well!) and use it and love it, but Komodo IDE is the hackers dream.

@yakiv thanks for the clarification on Ukrainian culture :)   I tried Komodo Edit and was able to get it to work as you said.  However I think I may opt for a third option.  I have downloaded a very basic dedicated CSS editor and will use it to edit the CSS.php files for now (in tandem with my IDE of choice).  This way I don't have to choose my IDE based on this one simple thing.

Thanks again. 

What dedicated CSS editor are you talking about?

For now I will be using TopStyle lite.  It seems to support the full CSS2.1 standard so it should workfor most of my needs.

If you are on Windows, Stylizer rocks for CSS editing, although I should try TopStyle someday.

http://www.skybound.ca/