Programming tools for developers

Web browsers

Firefox

An essential tool for debugging JavaScript, HTML, CSS errors etc. is the Firebug extension.The Web developer extension is also useful, particularly for tasks such as disabling the cache etc.

Safari

Safari has a debug mode, though it isn't always easily enabled, to do so under MacOS open a terminal window and type the line in below to enable the debug (or developer?) menu.

defaults write com.apple.safari IncludeDebugMenu 1

To disable repeat the process but replace the 1 by a 0.

In later versions of Safari you may be able to switch on debug mode by checking a box in the Advanced tab of the preferences window.

To enable the debug menu in Safari for Windows use a text editor to add the following lines to the Preferences.plist file located at C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Apple Computer\Safari\Preferences.plist :

<key>IncludeDebugMenu</key>
<true/>

Google Chrome

Google's Chrome browser has a number of useful tools for debugging JavaScript, HTML, CSS etc.

Verifying XML

Use the xmlstarlet program to verify XML. See also NodeRequirements.