DevToys: Swiss Army Knife for developers
Introduction
Software development has different stages, each stage requires different set of tools. There are various set of tools are available for different purpose required at different work while development.
As a developer, while writing code, debugging or investigating issue in application, use of tools like Json to xml, json format/validate, Base64 encoder/decoder, JWT tools, Epoc Timestamp read, Hash, UUID generate, URL encode/decode an so on. There are different tools available from different vendors for these purpose. Also, some of tools are available as plugin in IDEs. But these requires, setup these tools and switching between different applications while development which make development tedious.
Of course, we have all the tools available and I can remember different plugins in Notepad++ which I was regularly using since long time. Also, sometimes, online tools are used but those are prone to leak of precious technical data so we prefer using local tools.
By considering these all, we need a suite of common development tools which works on local machine for data security and developer does not have to setup or switch to different applications while writing/debugging/investigating code. Couple of years back, I came across a tool name DevToys which provides set of common tools we usually need while writing code.
About DevToys
DevToys is a software suit which provides various common tools & utilities as single executable. The utilities are kept lightweight compare to their full version. It has been designed by considering developer’s challenges while writing code or investigating issues in code.
It has been licensed under MIT means you can use it freely and distribute with same license. Since it is does everything locally (as per current version), there is no chance of precious technical data leakage.
Below are list of features of this tool suite:
- Single application for common tools required while writing/debugging/investigation code
- Opensource and cross-platform (Windows, Linux and macOS)
- Go faster with smart detection: This is quite attractive feature, which something is copied, based-on content on clipboard, it selects the appropriate tool to be used
- Integration with system: Designed to embrace its operating system and provides various features related format, theme, responsive UI, rich editor etc.
- It can be easily used with terminal as command
- It provides around 30 tools and more are available as third-party tools
Its installation is quite simple with binaries available on link.
You can simply download installer and install. Alternatively, choco , homebrew or zip version can be used to setup it (based on availability for the OS).
Use Case
There are different use-cases for this DevTools as per different tool and utility. We will cover few of them:
Converters
- JSON <> XML: It is used to convert from JSON to XML or XML to JSON.
2. Unix Timestamp Converter: It converts Unix timestamp (EPOC) to human readable form or vice-versa.
3. Number Base Converter: Convert number base among Decimal, Hexadecimal, Binary, Octal
4. Cron Parser: Parse cron expression and get next schedules as well
Encoders and Decoders
- Certificate Decoder: With current version of tool, only certificate decoder is available but I hope other tools around certificate will be availabe in future
2. HTML Encoder / Decoder: Encode/decode HTML content
3. URL Encoder / Decoder: Encode / decoder URLs
4. Base64 Text Encoder / Decoder: Encode text into Base64 or vice-versa
5. Base64 Image Encoder / Decoder: Encode image into Base64 and vice-versa
6. Gzip Compress / Decompress: Compress text using Gzip or decompress
7. JWT Encoder / Decoder: It is similar to jwt.io and provides JWT encode and decode tool
Formatters
- JSON Formatter: It beautify JSON and make readable
2. SQL Formatter: Format the SQL with different standards like PL/SQL, MsSQL etc.
3. XML Formatter: Format and beautify XML document
Generators
- Hash: It generate hash of given text input into different standard e.g. MD5, SHA1, SHA256, SHA512
2. Password Generator: Generate password with different combinations
3. UUID Generator: Generate UUID with given input
4. Lorem Ipsum Generator: Generate dummy text which is usually used for testing purpose
5. Checksum Generator: Generate checksum for given file
Text
- Text Escape / Un-escape: It helps to get escaped text of given input text
2. Text Case Converter & Inspector: Convert text cases as well as provides details about cases of given text
3. REGEX Tester: It provides regular expression testing tool
4. Text Comparer: Tool to compare textual content
5. XML Validator: Validate XML document against given schema file
6. Markdown Preview: It render markdown files
Graphic
- Color Picker & Contrast: Simple color picker
2. Image Converter: Convert Image format
There is also setting menu where font, language, theme etc. can be configured as per need:
Conclusion
DevToys is very useful suit of tools & utilities for developers. Now while working with code, there is no need to switch between different application for different tooling. It makes life much easier as it auto-switch tab based on content on clipboard. It is also available in CLI form so developer has terminal, it can be used as command very easily.
Additionally, since everything is on local, there is no threat of data leakage as well.
