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Text Tools

Comprehensive text manipulation utilities including encoders, decoders, and analysis tools.

Overview​

C# Dev Tools includes various text manipulation tools for common development tasks.

Encoders/Decoders​

Base64 Tool​

Encode and decode Base64 strings:

Features:

  • Encode text to Base64
  • Decode Base64 to text
  • Handle binary data
  • Copy results easily

Usage:

  1. Open "Base64 Tool" from Tools
  2. Paste text or Base64
  3. Click Encode or Decode
  4. Copy result

URL Encoder​

Encode and decode URLs:

Features:

  • Encode special characters
  • Decode percent-encoded URLs
  • Component encoding
  • Full URL encoding

HTML Encoder​

Encode and decode HTML entities:

Features:

  • Encode special characters (&, <, >, ", ')
  • Decode HTML entities
  • Named and numeric entities
  • Preserve formatting

JSON Tools​

JSON Formatter​

Format and validate JSON:

Features:

  • Pretty print JSON
  • Minify JSON
  • Validate syntax
  • Error highlighting

Usage:

  1. Open "JSON Tool"
  2. Paste JSON
  3. Click Format or Minify
  4. Copy formatted result

JSON to C# Converter​

Convert JSON to C# classes:

(See File Templates - JSON to C# for details)

JWT Decoder​

Decode and inspect JWT tokens:

Features:

  • Decode header
  • Decode payload
  • View claims
  • Check expiration
  • Validate signature (if key provided)

Usage:

  1. Open "JWT Tool"
  2. Paste JWT token
  3. View decoded sections
  4. Inspect claims

Text Analysis​

Regex Tester​

Test and debug regular expressions:

Features:

  • Live pattern matching
  • Match highlighting
  • Capture groups
  • Multiple matches
  • Pattern library

Usage:

  1. Open "Regex Tester"
  2. Enter pattern
  3. Enter test text
  4. View matches
  5. Test and refine

Text Comparer​

Compare two text blocks:

Features:

  • Side-by-side comparison
  • Highlight differences
  • Line-by-line diff
  • Unified diff view
  • Export diff

Usage:

  1. Open "Text Comparer"
  2. Paste original text
  3. Paste modified text
  4. View differences

String Utilities​

Case Converter​

Convert between text cases:

  • camelCase
  • PascalCase
  • snake_case
  • kebab-case
  • UPPER CASE
  • lower case

Hash Generator​

Generate hashes from text:

Supported algorithms:

  • MD5
  • SHA-1
  • SHA-256
  • SHA-512

Usage:

  1. Open "Hash Generator"
  2. Enter text
  3. Select algorithm
  4. Copy hash

Advanced Tools​

Markdown Preview​

Preview markdown formatting:

  • Live preview
  • GitHub-flavored markdown
  • Syntax highlighting
  • Export to HTML

XML Formatter​

Format and validate XML:

  • Pretty print
  • Minify
  • Validate syntax
  • XPath testing

Accessing Tools​

All text tools available in:

  1. Solution Explorer → Tools
  2. Command Palette → "Text Tools"
  3. Right-click editor → "Text Tools"

Common Features​

Copy to Clipboard​

All tools support:

  • One-click copy
  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • Batch operations
  • Format preservation

History​

Tools maintain history:

  • Recent inputs
  • Frequently used
  • Quick recall
  • Clear history

Use Cases​

API Development​

  • Encode/decode API payloads
  • Test JWT tokens
  • Format JSON responses
  • Generate request hashes

Data Processing​

  • Convert text formats
  • Parse encoded data
  • Compare outputs
  • Validate structures

Security​

  • Decode tokens
  • Verify hashes
  • Check encodings
  • Analyze payloads

Debugging​

  • Format JSON logs
  • Decode error messages
  • Compare expected/actual
  • Parse encoded data

Best Practices​

  • Validate before encoding
  • Test regex patterns thoroughly
  • Use appropriate hash algorithms
  • Keep JWT tokens secure
  • Verify decoded data
  • Compare formatted output

Tips​

Productivity​

  • Use keyboard shortcuts
  • Save common patterns
  • Bookmark frequently used tools
  • Chain tool operations

Accuracy​

  • Double-check encodings
  • Validate JSON before formatting
  • Test regex with edge cases
  • Verify hash algorithms

Troubleshooting​

Tool Not Working​

If tool doesn't work:

  1. Check input format
  2. Verify data validity
  3. Try different encoding
  4. Check for special characters

Invalid Output​

If output is wrong:

  1. Verify input is correct
  2. Check encoding/decoding direction
  3. Look for escaped characters
  4. Try alternative method

Performance Issues​

If tool is slow:

  1. Reduce input size
  2. Simplify regex patterns
  3. Clear history
  4. Restart tool