7 Mac OS X tools for web application trouble-shooting

Web applications use server-client pair to communicate via open sockets. In order to trouble-shooting them, we sometimes need to trace requests through computer system. We need to post request to web service end-point and analyze the returned xml, json etc. We sometimes need to check the server logs, databases, splunk, etc. Here are some tools to make these job easy.

TextMate

The software TextMate allows you to format text so that they are easy to read. Json, for example, is intended to be compact, so chances are the json string passed in web application request/response have no space or line break. In order to review the content, you need to format the compact string so that space and line break will be inserted for easy reading. You can copy the json string from a log and paste it into textmate then select json format to get an easy to read version. You can do the same for compact xml string, html string etc.

PostMan

Whenever you need to test rest services, you can use curl commands. However, with PostMan, your life will be easier. This tool allows you to easily construct the request body, set headers, credentials, etc. You can group and save various rest service requests for later use. The request and response are formatted too, sweet.

Iterm

Terminal is a basic scripting environment in mac os x, Iterm is a much better alternative. You can do many cool things such as sending commands to multiple tabs, script login session, split windows, highlight text to copy to clipboard, use many shot-cuts, etc.

Mysql Workbench

This tool manages your mysql database connections. You can browse schema, run query, check result, copy results, export results, analyze performance etc.

Oracle SQL Developer

a free tool to mange oracle database connections. UI provides many features such as browsing schema, view single record, syntax highlighting etc.

Slack

A computer system is developed by a team, so trouble-shooting often involves a team of engineers. Slack allows you to chat with partner, host online meetings across the internet. A meeting channel recorded the trouble-shooting history for later reference.

Notes

Last but not least, organize your thoughts before and after communication. Mac OS X notes is the handy tool for you.