Author Archives: Barak Weichselbaum

List of code development tools

Being a professional developer for 24 years you pick up a few tools on the way, tools that help the development process, I got used to some of the tools, that I’m not planning to replace them, even if the competition is better.

I’m a C++ developer, and lately, I’ve been doing some PHP, so this list is geared mostly at C++, it’s possible that if I were a Java or Python programmer, the list would have been different.

I’m using Visual Studio for Windows, and GCC for Linux. I don’t think those tools need any introduction or review, so I’ll dive into the other tools I use.

Programming add-ons

Programming add-ons are plugins for Visual Studio that helps you write code, make your writing more efficient.

Visual Assist

Visual Assist Console

I work with Visual Assist for 16 years, and this is my number one tool. I use it mostly for navigating between functions define and implementation, the dropdown options when selecting variables and switching between .cpp file and .h file, and finding references to who calls a function.

It’s possible that Visual Studio already does it all, doesn’t matter to me, I work with them.

Pros:

  • Works on all Visual Studio versions
  • Fair pricing

Cons:

  • If working on unsupported language (for example PHP), then copy-paste log is not available

Build tools

Build tools are tools that help the build process, I used to build 50-100 versions at a time, each version with different Visual Studio, different features and I needed a software to help me manage it.

Visual Build

Visual Build Screenshot

Visual build is a software that is used to build scripts; in my case, it was build scripts. It’s drag and drop and supports most development tools. It also allows to download files, do file manipulation. It contains VB script support and some limited programming.

For me, I couldn’t manage the build process without it.

Pros:

  • Flexible
  • Easy to use

Cons:

  • May forced to buy an upgrade for new VS version

File editing tool

Sometimes you need to inspect files, may it be your input or output, and sometimes Notepad++ or Notepad just don’t cut it.

Ultraedit

UltraEdit Screenshot

Ultraedit offers an editor that can open big files, and since I have to inspect big files over 1G, I need special software to do it. Ultraedit has more features, and I don’t use any of them.

Pros:

  • Can open big files

Cons:

  • Crashes a lot
  • Slow

HDD Hex Editor Neo

HDD Hex Editor Screenshot

HDD Hex Editor Neo is a software to inspect and edit hex files, it has a free and paid version, and it’s easy to use. I don’t use it often, but when I need it, I need it.

Pros:

  • Has a free version
  • Easy to use

Cons:

  • Sometimes search selection is messed up and needs to restart the app

Source control

Source control is a must for any programmer, or programming team, on top of being a backup it allows to diff files to see what changed, this is especially helpful to track new bugs that weren’t around in the previous version.

Vault

SourceGear Vault Screenshot

The first source control I used was Visual Source Safe, which at the time was unreliable. Here comes Vault to the rescue; it has the same interface, but is very reliable. I know Microsoft has fixed their source control with Team Foundation, but I already have a solution.

Also, I was never a fan of Git, so I’m pleased with this.

Pros:

  • Reliable
  • Has a free version

Cons:

  • Backend/Frontend are Windows-based
  • SQLServer backend

Virtual machine

When I developed apps, I had to test them on various Windows flavours. Also, I had to revert the machine after each install to make sure I start fresh.

VMWare Workstation

VMWare Workstation Screenshot

VMWare Workstation is a desktop virtualization tools that enabled to install most operating systems that will work in parallel with the current OS. Each OS is isolated from the main OS, which adds to security.

I tried to use some free similar apps, but it’s just not the same.

Pros:

  • Reliable
  • Easy to use

Cons:

  • Needs to buy an upgrade license every two years
  • Dropped support for old CPU

Writing tools

As a developer, you need to write documents, and it can be an email, a spec, or a blog post just like this. Today basic spelling test just doesn’t cut it.

Grammarly

Grammarly is an add-on to Word, Chrome and Outlook that allows you to refine your writing, after setting the goal it recommends how to improve/fix your writing. The add-on inspects each word in the context of the paragraphs, and that’s the way it beats traditional spell checker.

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Has many add-ons

Cons:

  • Has mistakes from time to time
  • Check privacy policy

Proxies and VPNs

When developing a network app, you may want to test it from different locations and with different network quality to make sure that the app that works on the corporate LAN will work just as well with unreliable mobile connection.

The most significant difference between a proxy service and a VPN that with the proxy you get an IP and a port to connect to, with VPN it installs a client that automatically intercepts all your connections.

NordVPN

NordVPN is one of the leading VPN vendors, and it supports many locations and OS. Use the most remote location to test how your app handles latency and slower speeds.

Pros:

  • Supports many locations
  • Supports many OS

Cons:

  • Cheaper options available

Storm Proxies

Storm proxies offer residential and data centre proxies since it uses a back connect method, which means you connect to a single server. It connects to the actual proxy, it can make the connection less stable, and it’s the perfect settings for your app.

Pros:

  • Affordable

Cons:

  • Old UI

How to Write LSP and Where to Find LSP Samples

Here are two questions that we hear rather frequently:

The short answer is, of course, Komodia.com. 

How to write LSP Komodia has several tools that you can use to begin your Winsock LSP writing career.  There is the free LSP guide, the free LSP resource page, and the free LSP newsletter.  You can use all of these tools as a beginner to bolster your LSP knowledge and get you on the correct track.

Where to find LSP samples Komodia has an entire library full of free LSP samples that you can incorporate into your work and use.  Just follow the LSP sample links that you find in this post to find the LSP samples here on Komodia.

Remember, when it comes to LSP, Komodia is your free LSP resource on the Internet.

Chris

Problems With LSP & LSP Issues

It does not matter how long you have been working with LSP – every LSP developer has problems arise every day.  So do not take your problems with LSP personally!  I think sometimes my greatest block to working well is the frustration I get when I run into an LSP issue. 

(“Why isn’t this working?!  It is supposed to be working!  I did everything correctly!” – sound familiar?)

Well, Komodia.com is THE online tool for LSP developers.  There is a free LSP guide and an incredible LSP resource page as well as an LSP newsletter.  Feel free to use all of the available LSP information and tools because that is why it is here!

Chris

Winsock Block

Blocking communication using Winsock is a fairly simple procedure.  You can create a Winsock block any point that you insert Winsock into the communication stream.

To block Winsock then you would simply remove your block in the stream and communication would continue as before.

There are other programs and applications that perform this task as well and so you will need to ask yourself whether or not Winsock is the correct tool to use in this certain situation.  Fortunately Komodia is the greatest Winsock resource on the web.

Chris

Help Wanted: Windows Layered Service Provider LSP Driver Developer

It is tough in the land of the LSP developer.  I know that writing even a simple LSP code can take as much as 90 days!  That seems like such a long time to spend on the little, simple things – especially when it is time you could be spending on the meatier LSP problems and issues that you will have to face.

That is why I believe so strongly in the value of Komodia’s products.  They can offer you a service that will honestly save your most valuable resource: TIME.

You can spend your time writing line after line of code on the simple things or you can let Komodia do it for you.  This will free you up for other concerns involving LSP: how to inject to running process, et cetera…

Keep the frustration level to a minimum!  Remember how you used to feel when you saw a job description that included Windows layered service provider LSP driver developer?

Chris

TCP Stream Sniffer for Windows

Help regarding TCP stream sniffer, Windows:

Komodia has a free sniffer open source code.  Yes, I know.  How can Komodia continue to give away resources that everyone else is only selling?  The answer is that Komodia is striving to be the ANSWER to all of your questions.  Komodia.com is already the recognized leader in all things LSP, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. 

When it comes to TCP stream sniffer questions, Komodia is the place to come!

C++ library (free of charge, open source) which encapsulates winsock2 API capabilities, that enables the user to manage each and every aspect of sockets’ key operations. Functions: Simple to use and understand and especially free of charge; Complete manageability over threading scenarios; Dependable and speedy. 

Chris