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+---- Thread: Usefull software for program development (/showthread.php?tid=804)
Usefull software for program development - brco900033 - 08-13-2013
I wanted to make this thread because I have found some usefull programs for the development of software. It is actually not for the development itself but other important extra features that are underestimated a bit (I think).
Creating a program is one thing but you need to create for example help files, a decent installer... That takes time again but you want that program online as fast as possible. That's why I want to share a quick list of software that can come in handy, these programs will fasten up the progress a lot!
* Free icons
Use free icons you can download from https://www.iconfinder.com/. Make sure you set your filters right (set to For commercial use, no backlink). You can also buy icons for one buck (max).
* Advanced Installer
You can create professional looking installers with this. I use it all the time and have got no problems so far. There are so many possibilities, you won't believe! http://www.advancedinstaller.com/. This program has a free mode where you can create installers with the basic needs.
If you need a simpler program I would recommend InstallCreator!
* Create Help files
I've tested some of these programs and the one that I actually like for its performance and easy-to-use interface is Help & Manual 6 [url](<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.helpandmanual.com/">http://www.helpandmanual.com/</a><!-- m -->[/url]). With this one you can create HTML, PDF, CHM... all the formats used for help-files.
* Create covers
Expensive 3D designers make covers for you but nobody wants to pay so much for just a cover, that's why I included TBS Cover Editor in this list. The default templates are everything you need for creating professional looking covers. (http://www.trueboxshot.com/TBSCoverEditor)
* Free FTP Server of 10Gb
1FreeHosting gives you a free FTP server of 10Gb with a lot of extra features like an own é-mail client and a website (with subdomain, need pro for normal one!)
* Axialis IconWorkshop
This is a famous one and I think almost everybody knows it but I couldn't forget him from the list. Very easy to make icons. For example just download an icon that you like from IconFinder and export it as an .ico in Axialis. (http://www.axialis.com/iconworkshop/)
* Telerik JustCode, JustMock and JustTrace
I have used them in Trial mode and watched some videos of them in full action and these tools do wonders... if you can use them properly (that is one problem because I find it very, very hard!)
*Create webpages
A Drag and Drop interface to make websites (http://www.serif.com/webplus/). This program has some extra features like photo galleries (no programming needed, just drag and drop), default templates... Ofcourse if you need something extra you can make it yourself and implement it easily.
I know these programs are not free and some are very expensive but I think you guys will find a way around if you know what I mean...
Note: If you have some usefull programs you can also post them below if you want.
Re: Usefull software for program development - brandonio21 - 08-14-2013
Wow! These are all great suggestions. I will go ahead and add some of my favorites to the list:
*NSIS Installer Creator
Not for the faint at heart, this scriptable interface allows one to create simple or extremely complex installers for their application. Check it out here:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://nsis.sourceforge.net/Main_Page">http://nsis.sourceforge.net/Main_Page</a><!-- m -->
This is also paired very well with a GUI coded by Hector Mauricio, which makes creating setup files quick and easy. Check out the GUI extension here: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://hmne.sourceforge.net/">http://hmne.sourceforge.net/</a><!-- m -->
*Dropbox
Although this may not be something to enhance how your program works, it is an extremely valuable development tool. Personally, I use Dropbox to sync my projects on all of my computers. Dropbox also gives me a quick public repository to hold update files and other files that my programs may need to download. Dropbox can also serve as relatively cheap file hosting.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.dropbox.com/">https://www.dropbox.com/</a><!-- m -->
*Loupe Error Monitoring
I tried this program out around two years ago and it did wonders! Basically it tracks all of the errors that occur on every instance of your program that is running on any computer and allows them to access them. This let's you fix bugs while letting others find them for you! <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.gibraltarsoftware.com/#&panel1-1">http://www.gibraltarsoftware.com/#&panel1-1</a><!-- m -->
Re: Usefull software for program development - brco900033 - 08-26-2013
Loupe seems interesting, I'm going to test it. Seems really usefull!