Notepad2, by Flos Freeware
Notepad2
This is basically a re-vamped, freeware version of the original Notepad program, specifically designed with all kinds of programming in mind. It's most common feature is syntax highlighting, available to all the coding lanuguages found in Notepad2. It can code almost anything besides HTML and CSS... Python, Pascal, C++, Actionscript, Metafiles, Program Resource Files, and a lot more.
The advantages of Notepad2 is visually-assisted code design (syntax highlighting), which makes for a great help when your an ameteaur coder, plus the scheme customization makes all the better for those who want to associate different formatting for different elements. Also, being an open-source program, you can customize the internal functions and menus any way you like.
Disadvantages.... well, not a whole lot on the front end of tips or snippets, which would further increase productivity, even if included as an optional feature. Also, most HTML-coding programs at least have a nicely-emulated browser preview mode built-in -- Notepad2 doesn't even have that. This can create clutter on your desktop if you are working on multiple files. Further expanding on that, each file corresponds in a new window, whereas the bigger programs have one main instance running with a clean, organized tab rack for all currently opened files.