My development toolbox
- Updated November 2nd, 2009 in Reviews
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There’s a core list of software tools that I find indispensable for development in the office and at home. This list helps me keep track of the tools I need when re-building a computer.
1. Visual Studio
As a .net developer, VS 2008 is a fantastic Integrated Developer Environment. From code snippets to Intellisense, debugging to stack traces, Visual Studio helps me develop swiftly while concentrating on the code.
2. Firefox + Firebug extension + Web Developer extension
I recently had a problem running Firefox on my new PC and boy, did I miss Firebug and the Web Developer extension. Although some of the features overlap, the simplicity of Web Developer means that it is very quick and easy to disable CSS, view all images or check page size.
Firebug is indispensable to hunt down CSS inheritance irritations, preview quick style modifications or unravel client-side javascript complexities.
Special mention to ColorZilla, User Agent Switcher and FireShot.
3. Fiddler
A comprehensive HTTP debugging proxy, Fiddler allows you to examine the raw HTTP traffic between the browser and server. Works well with HTTPS too.
4. Notepad++
Notepad++ is a text editor hitting all my major requirements: colour coding, quick to load, and excellent FTP integration.
5. Balsamiq Mockups
Useful, quick and easy wire framing for web applications and iphone designs.
6. Photoshop
The granddaddy of image manipulation software, I probably only use 5% of all its features. Once I got over it’s irritating non-standard menus, I really appreciated the way tools such as spot healing work so well.
7. FileZilla
A bit under-rated, FileZilla is a top-notch FTP client that is small, light and regularly updated.
