Why code when software like Dreamweaver dose it all?

I feel in some ways that's like saying, why pay a photographer to take photos when you have a camera that will let you point and click. The big reason is quality and flexibility. Dreamweaver is limited in its wysiwyg powers and a professional who knows the code can do so much more with that site than an amateur using dreamweaver could imagine. I mean I consider myself a competent coder and designer but I follow the treehouse staff on twitter and some of the code pens they post are out of my league and I couldn't imagine doing anything like that.

Dreamweaver generates awful, messy code. Just be aware if you let Dreamweaver write all your code you will always be considered a graphic designer who knows how to use Dreamweaver and never a "web designer".

Dreamweaver is a great tool, but just like any tool I would not rely on it to complete all tasks. I would not use a screwdriver to drill into a 2x4, I would use a drill. Dreamweaver does some things well, but it does not do it all. It is vital to know what Dreamweaver is outputting, so you can make changes or debug if necessary. Does is spelled does. :D

I use dreamweaver, but I do not use any of the WYSIWYG features of it. I just hard code everything into it.

To answer your question, one is you will be severely limited in what you can build, if you're just relying on the code outputted from a program. It can only do so much.

Secondly, WYSIWYG editor code is typically more messy, less accessible, and possibly slower to load. Code you learn, and thus create yourself stands a much better chance to be cleaner and faster.

There is a reason why the marketplace is willing to pay a wide range of, be pretty decent salaries for people who know how to code when programs that already can generate code exists.

Using Dreamweaver as opposed to coding is the easiest way to learn become a sloppy designer/developer. It's a great tool and certainly easier than coding, I only say it's sloppy because if you're new and you only use Dreamweaver then you don't really understand the code that makes up the website.

Good for veterans, bad for beginners.

Hmmm...interesting analogy...like using a point and shoot vs. a DSLR (but not on automatic). I am a professional photographer that started later in life. After being outsourced from my primary career (from which my education including a Ph.D. was based) I found myself in the real estate industry. Initially I was was horrified at what my brokerage was producing as "professional photography" and promotion for listings. (YIKES - SCARY!)

However, by analogy - I started with a point-and-shoot. When I outgrew it, I went to a DSLR on automatic. When I outgrew that, I moved to manual, off-camera lighting, reflectors, gels, advanced photoshop with masks, blending modes and compositing, video, some HDR, time lapse photography - you name it.

In other words, for some Dreamweaver can be a starting point. It won't "hold" for more advanced work. But as someone with a severe LD, I have found that certain "crutches" have been starting points for something better. My trend has always been to exploit crutches and turn them into tools. Just my $0.02 from someone who has had learning issues but managed to get through a doctoral program.