Brackets for the web

While diving into web development I needed a lightweight editor for JS, CSS and HTML files. So I decided to check how it is going for Brackets – open sourced code editor for the web.
After launching

cinst brackets

I got an editor, it appeared that current version is 0.41. First impression was – “too lightweight”, and it is after Visual Studio. The first feature I missed was formatting of selected code – there is no such command to invoke (at least I was not successful finding it). After lurking back and forth, cloning the repo, looking through the code, adding new command to launch some existing APIs – I got what I want, but then I thought – there already should be someone who needed the same functionality. And that’s it, there were several attempts to provide such functionality, starting with the extension that does almost exactly what I did and ending with several cards in projects cardboard, describing different formatting desires.

I end up installing the Beautify extension for formatting and also Code folding for folding regions of code. Both does not look abandoned (Brackets itself as well) and they do the work so far.

There are several conclusions from that story:

1. Before writing your own feature, check if somebody already did that
2. You could pack Brackets with whatever you want - there are a lot of extensions for almost any needs

Why Brackets? I like its Live Preview feature, when you can edit page and see a result on the fly in browser. I like it for its weight – that’s exactly what I need for prototyping ideas. I like it’s pace of evolution – it’s moving forward quite fast, growing to a mature product. I like the fact that I can add the feature I am missing

Go and check if you haven’t seen it yet.

My list of tools

Well, tools in a tool belt. Any skilled worker has some preferences, what to use, both for tools and ways to use them. Here are mine:

Visual studio – IDE that I use on everyday basis. Surely it depends on your profile as a developer, what languages do you use; now I use C#, so that’s my IDE of choice. I’m using it starting from VS2005, now it is VS13.

Resharper – VS extension to refactor everything, static code analysis and so on. I appreciate its capabilities for the C# and JavaScript support.

DisplayFusion – multiple monitor taskbar support for Windows 7 (at least I need only taskbar support from that tool, I do not use other bells and whistles). Taskbar for secondary display is what I’m missing most in multi-monitor workstation setup. For me, second display without taskbar loses almost half of its usability. Windows 8 has multiple taskbars support built in, but while I’m on Windows 7 at my work desktop, I have to select among third-party tools. I used ActualTools Window Manager before, but its slowness on my new desktop (I even switched off literally everything in its options except 2nd taskbar) forced me to search for alternative and here it is. So far it is stable and gives me what I want – toolbar with pinnable applications and Aero previews. Now I’m on trial period, will consider buying.

OneNote – collecting my notes and info on both Windows and Android. Synchronization and offline notes. I moved from Evernote because I like interface more – will see if the transition worth time spent on it.

Notepad++ – lightweight editor for everything, supports plenty of formats, but has slightly obsolete interface.

Paint.NET – replacement for standard Windows’ Paint. Editing images – free and powerful – however sometimes not enough powerful. In example, cropping images is not very convenient.

7Zip – compressing and decompressing everything, no comments.

Truecrypt – has been replaced by BitLocker – Windows integrated encryption support.

f.lux – I already posted and article (sorry, that’s on Russian) on that app. I do not have requirements to colors on monitor to look natural, I just want more comfort for my eyes.

Dropbox – synchronization of choice for my files. Considering OneDrive also – so far I do not see killer features that could force me to do the change.

Fiddler – web debugging proxy, allows to look under the hood of web development world.

Teamviewer – remote access to mine home PC + collaboration when needed. Paid for commercial use.

Keepass – keeping your sensitive info at safe; passwords management solution. I also use unofficial port on Android, not very user-friendly though.

Daemon Tools Lite– images management, paid for commercial use.

GitExtensions – UI for git. I still cannot get used to git console when I need to check repository tree.

Skype – messenger of choice. But not mine choice. Personally I do not like its interface, contact groups are not convenient for me, Android version UI is awful.

Windows Liver Writer – the editor which has been used to write this article.

Chocolatey – machine package manager, I use it for installing everything from the above, starting from Notepad++. Basically, that’s one of the first application I’m installing on fresh Windows.

I did not include MS Office there + I might be missing some tools I use occasionally – let it be, I could post about them later.