Essential Online Tools Every Web Developer Should Know About
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Web Tools
For software developers working in corporate environments, a common challenge is the unavailability of vital tools that cannot be installed independently. Often, even small utilities, such as a preferred code editor, require significant time and effort from the IT department for installation—if company guidelines permit it at all. Additionally, there are instances where developers need to access technical resources or snippets of code without enrolling in online classes.
To address these issues, many online platforms offer a variety of developer tools. Most workstations are equipped with a web browser and an internet connection, allowing access to useful applications without needing to engage IT administrators. Here, I present nine practical and free online services that can significantly assist you in software and web development.
Section 1.1: Tools.FromDev - A Handy Toolkit for Developers
Tools.FromDev is a compact yet powerful toolkit designed to aid web developers in various tasks. This blog primarily focuses on resources for software developers, offering online tutorials and essential tools. Among its features, you’ll find an Escape/Unescape tool for XML, JavaScript, and HTML, a password generator, and various conversion tools, alongside practical generators for SEO, CSS buttons, and QR codes.
Section 1.2: Online Bash - Test Your Bash Scripts
When Bash is unavailable—such as on Windows or tablets like the iPad—Online Bash provides a solution for testing and executing shell scripts online. This free service also facilitates collaborative scripting.
Subsection 1.2.1: CodeSandbox - Rapid Development IDE
CodeSandbox is an excellent online development environment for quickly writing code. It allows users to import, commit, and make pull requests to GitHub repositories, enabling fast prototype creation and testing directly in the browser. It supports container technology and collaboration, making it a versatile tool for developers working across different devices. A paid subscription ($9/month) offers unlimited sandboxes and private GitHub repositories.
Subsection 1.2.2: Playcode - Simplified Code Testing
Similar to CodeSandbox, Playcode allows web developers to write and test their code online. While it offers a more straightforward interface than CodeSandbox, it is less feature-rich. Paid accounts unlock additional benefits, such as a gigabyte of storage and enhanced debugging capabilities.
Section 1.3: Browserling - Extensive Online Tools
Browserling's Cross-Browser Testing Portal provides an extensive, free collection of tools for web developers. It includes resources for minifying, prettifying, converting, and even minor image processing. However, the free version limits testing sessions to three minutes with Windows and Internet Explorer, making the paid version ($19) more suitable for extensive cross-browser testing.
Section 1.4: JSFiddle - Collaborative Code Playground
JSFiddle offers a user-friendly environment for storing, testing, and collaborating on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code snippets. The platform is free and does not require logins, although financial supporters ($8/month) can access additional features like ad-free usage and private fiddles.
Section 1.5: Ideone - Online Debugging and Compilation
Ideone serves as an online editor for testing snippets of code in over 60 programming languages, including C++, Java, and Python. This tool compiles and executes code directly online, making it easy to identify errors. Users can easily share code snippets via URL.
Section 1.6: JSLinux - Linux in Your Browser
When developers need access to a Linux environment, JSLinux provides several distributions without the need for virtual machine installation. Users can run Alpine Linux, Buildroot, and even older versions like Fedora. It also offers FreeDOS and Windows options, though these are more for novelty.
Section 1.7: Can I Use - Browser Compatibility Checker
Understanding which technologies are supported by various browsers can be complex. Can I Use helps developers quickly determine which features and APIs are available across different browsers and versions.
Chapter 2: Conclusion
The right tools can streamline our work as developers and enhance productivity. By expanding your toolkit with these nine resources, you can tackle tasks more efficiently and effectively.
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