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