Front-end development is a tricky beast. It’s not difficult to learn, but it’s quite difficult to master. There are just too many things that need to be considered; too many tweaks that might be necessary here and there; too many details to make everything just right. Luckily, developers and designers out there keep releasing useful tools and resources for all of us to learn, improve our skills and just get better at what we do. Such tools are valuable and helpful because they save our time, automate mundane tasks and hence help us focus on more important things.
CSS- and JavaScript-resources for our readers, to make the search of these ever-growing tools easier. We hope that these tools will help you improve your skills as well as your professional workflow. A sincere thanks to all designers and developers who are featured in this round-up. We respect and appreciate your contributions to the design community.
CSS- and JavaScript-resources for our readers, to make the search of these ever-growing tools easier. We hope that these tools will help you improve your skills as well as your professional workflow. A sincere thanks to all designers and developers who are featured in this round-up. We respect and appreciate your contributions to the design community.
HTML and CSS Tools
HTML Email Boilerplate
This website and its sample code creates a template of sorts, absent of design or layout, that will help you avoid some of the major rendering problems with the most common email clients out there. It also provides some helpful examples and snippets that will keep your email design rendering as true-to-form as possible.
This website and its sample code creates a template of sorts, absent of design or layout, that will help you avoid some of the major rendering problems with the most common email clients out there. It also provides some helpful examples and snippets that will keep your email design rendering as true-to-form as possible.
Initializr
This tool creates a customizable template based on HTML5 Boilerplate. Decide whether you want sample content, choose between JavaScript and jQuery, and specify your compatibility and server configuration needs. You’ll get a template based on key features of Boilerplate to start your next project. You might want to check out The HTML5 Framework Generator as well.
This tool creates a customizable template based on HTML5 Boilerplate. Decide whether you want sample content, choose between JavaScript and jQuery, and specify your compatibility and server configuration needs. You’ll get a template based on key features of Boilerplate to start your next project. You might want to check out The HTML5 Framework Generator as well.
Layer Styles
A nice simple tool for creating CSS in an intuitive way — very much like you would do with a graphics editor. The tool lets you add drop shadow, inner shadow, background, border and border radius and generates cross-browser CSS code.
A nice simple tool for creating CSS in an intuitive way — very much like you would do with a graphics editor. The tool lets you add drop shadow, inner shadow, background, border and border radius and generates cross-browser CSS code.
Mobile Boilerplate
A template that creates rich and performant mobile Web apps. You can get cross-browser consistency among A-grade smartphones, and fallback support for legacy Blackberry, Symbian, and IE Mobile.
A template that creates rich and performant mobile Web apps. You can get cross-browser consistency among A-grade smartphones, and fallback support for legacy Blackberry, Symbian, and IE Mobile.
Kotatsu
A simple HTML table generator that helps you create a table and throw in row as well as column classes quickly and easily. And if you want a quick tool to generate lists, you might want to take a look at li maker.
A simple HTML table generator that helps you create a table and throw in row as well as column classes quickly and easily. And if you want a quick tool to generate lists, you might want to take a look at li maker.
LiveReload
LiveReload applies CSS/JS changes to Safari or Chrome without reloading the page and reloads the page automatically once the HTML changes. Alternatively, take a look at Live.js, a library that makes sure that you’re always looking at the latest version of the page you’re working on, whether you are writing HTML, CSS or JavaScript.
LiveReload applies CSS/JS changes to Safari or Chrome without reloading the page and reloads the page automatically once the HTML changes. Alternatively, take a look at Live.js, a library that makes sure that you’re always looking at the latest version of the page you’re working on, whether you are writing HTML, CSS or JavaScript.
css-x-fire
This tool allows editing CSS properties in the IDE from Firebug CSS editor and also allows the developer to concentrate on CSS styling without having to refresh the browser.
This tool allows editing CSS properties in the IDE from Firebug CSS editor and also allows the developer to concentrate on CSS styling without having to refresh the browser.
Zen Coding
Zen Coding is an editor plugin for high-speed coding and editing. The core of this plugin is a powerful abbreviation engine which allows you to expand expressions (similar to CSS selectors) into HTML code.
Zen Coding is an editor plugin for high-speed coding and editing. The core of this plugin is a powerful abbreviation engine which allows you to expand expressions (similar to CSS selectors) into HTML code.
CSS Stress Testing and Performance Profiling
Andy Edinborough shares the code he uses for his so-called ‘CSS Stress Test’ for almost all browsers.
Andy Edinborough shares the code he uses for his so-called ‘CSS Stress Test’ for almost all browsers.
CSS Crush
A CSS pre-processor that is familiar, convenient, intuitive, and much more — everything Pete Boere wants a pre-processor to be.
A CSS pre-processor that is familiar, convenient, intuitive, and much more — everything Pete Boere wants a pre-processor to be.
CSSPrefixer
CSSPrefixer helps you improve your workflow and saves you a lot of time while inserting all of the necessary CSS prefixes for various browsers.
CSSPrefixer helps you improve your workflow and saves you a lot of time while inserting all of the necessary CSS prefixes for various browsers.
JavaScript Tools
Modernizr 2
Modernizr is a widely used open-source JavaScript library that helps you build HTML5 and CSS3-powered websites. With the second version of the tool, you can now combine feature detection with media queries and conditional resource loading. That gives you the power and flexibility to optimize for every circumstance. Developed by Paul Irish, Faruk Ateş and Alex Sexton.
Modernizr is a widely used open-source JavaScript library that helps you build HTML5 and CSS3-powered websites. With the second version of the tool, you can now combine feature detection with media queries and conditional resource loading. That gives you the power and flexibility to optimize for every circumstance. Developed by Paul Irish, Faruk Ateş and Alex Sexton.
yepnope.js
A conditional loader for your polyfills that is very fast and allows you to load only the scripts that your users actually need.
A conditional loader for your polyfills that is very fast and allows you to load only the scripts that your users actually need.
FitText
FitText is a jQuery plug-in for responsive and fluid layouts that resizes display text to fit the parent element. A good solution for creating headlines that look good on everything from a small mobile device to a 30-inch desktop display.
FitText is a jQuery plug-in for responsive and fluid layouts that resizes display text to fit the parent element. A good solution for creating headlines that look good on everything from a small mobile device to a 30-inch desktop display.
jQuery Waypoints
Waypoints is a small jQuery plugin that makes it easy to execute a function whenever you scroll to an element.
Waypoints is a small jQuery plugin that makes it easy to execute a function whenever you scroll to an element.
jQuery Plugin Boilerplate
This boilerplate implements public and private methods, as well as public and private properties, making it very easy when building both simple and complex jQuery plugins.
This boilerplate implements public and private methods, as well as public and private properties, making it very easy when building both simple and complex jQuery plugins.
ligature-js
This Java script lets you convert text patterns into common typographic ligatures by going through the text on a web page and inserting ligatures where appropriate.
This Java script lets you convert text patterns into common typographic ligatures by going through the text on a web page and inserting ligatures where appropriate.
Placeholder jQuery Plugin/Polyfill
This jQuery plugin provides support for the new
This jQuery plugin provides support for the new
placeholder="" HTML5 form attribute in browsers that don’t natively support it (IE et al).StronglyTyped
A JS library that allows you to specify strongly typed properties of various types (Boolean, Number, String, etc.) and constants (final properties in Java). It uses ES5 getters and setters and falls back to regular, loosely typed properties in non-supporting browsers.
A JS library that allows you to specify strongly typed properties of various types (Boolean, Number, String, etc.) and constants (final properties in Java). It uses ES5 getters and setters and falls back to regular, loosely typed properties in non-supporting browsers.
Kaffeine
A set of extensions to the JavaScript syntax that attempts to make it nicer to use. It compiles directly into JavaScript that is very similar, readable and line for line equivalent to the input.
A set of extensions to the JavaScript syntax that attempts to make it nicer to use. It compiles directly into JavaScript that is very similar, readable and line for line equivalent to the input.
Crossroads.js
A JS routing library inspired by URL Route/Dispatch utilities which are present on frameworks like Rails, Pyramid, Django, CakePHP, CodeIgniter, etc. It parses a string input and decides which action should be executed by matching the string against multiple patterns.
A JS routing library inspired by URL Route/Dispatch utilities which are present on frameworks like Rails, Pyramid, Django, CakePHP, CodeIgniter, etc. It parses a string input and decides which action should be executed by matching the string against multiple patterns.
Doctor JS
Doctor JS analyzes your JavaScript code and provides you with a complete analysis in JSON, whether you’re dealing with polymorphism, prototypes, exceptions or callbacks. Tell Doctor JS about it:
Doctor JS analyzes your JavaScript code and provides you with a complete analysis in JSON, whether you’re dealing with polymorphism, prototypes, exceptions or callbacks. Tell Doctor JS about it:
HEAD.js
A script that speeds up, simplifies and modernizes your site — a concise solution to universal issues. You can load scripts like images as well as use HTML5 and CSS3 safely.
A script that speeds up, simplifies and modernizes your site — a concise solution to universal issues. You can load scripts like images as well as use HTML5 and CSS3 safely.
Hivelogic
Posting your email address on a website is an easy way to get an inbox full of spam. This anti-spam email address enkoder helps protect email addresses by converting them into encrypted JavaScript code so only real people using real browsers will see them. An alternative, more robust solution is Mollom.
Posting your email address on a website is an easy way to get an inbox full of spam. This anti-spam email address enkoder helps protect email addresses by converting them into encrypted JavaScript code so only real people using real browsers will see them. An alternative, more robust solution is Mollom.
JavaScript Garden
A JS project that offers advice on avoiding common mistakes and subtle bugs, and lays down performance issues and bad practices that JavaScript programmers might run into on their journey to the depths of the language.
A JS project that offers advice on avoiding common mistakes and subtle bugs, and lays down performance issues and bad practices that JavaScript programmers might run into on their journey to the depths of the language.
Syntaclet
By clicking on the Syntaclet bookmarklet, you can automatically see all language specific syntax colored with line numbers to all the code on the page.
By clicking on the Syntaclet bookmarklet, you can automatically see all language specific syntax colored with line numbers to all the code on the page.
Bookmarkleter
This tool creates bookmarklets from JavaScript code. It removes new lines, tabs, and optional spaces, URL-encodes special ASCII characters and places code in a wrapper function (if not done already).
This tool creates bookmarklets from JavaScript code. It removes new lines, tabs, and optional spaces, URL-encodes special ASCII characters and places code in a wrapper function (if not done already).
Bookmarklet Crunchinator
This great tool helps you quickly create a bookmarklet from any JavaScript code and will automatically be wrapped in a function to make it bookmarklet-friendly.
This great tool helps you quickly create a bookmarklet from any JavaScript code and will automatically be wrapped in a function to make it bookmarklet-friendly.
Grids
The JavaScript Grid
A JavaScript-based grid overlay — just drag the snipplets into your bookmarks bar, open your URL and click the bookmark.
A JavaScript-based grid overlay — just drag the snipplets into your bookmarks bar, open your URL and click the bookmark.
Grid Calculator
A calculator that helps you easily create your own grid and download it for either Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop.
A calculator that helps you easily create your own grid and download it for either Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop.
GridCalc
This easy-to-use grid calculator lets you download a configuration as a CSS file which you can use in your project by simply entering the desired width of your page and an aproximate range for your column and gutter width. The calculator then gives you all the possible combinations within the limits you entered and provides you with a nice visual representation of the results and how the grid can be used.
This easy-to-use grid calculator lets you download a configuration as a CSS file which you can use in your project by simply entering the desired width of your page and an aproximate range for your column and gutter width. The calculator then gives you all the possible combinations within the limits you entered and provides you with a nice visual representation of the results and how the grid can be used.
Modular Grid Pattern
This tool enables you to create a grid template for Photoshop and other image editing applications. Enter the baseline, the module’s width and height, the gutter width, and the number of modules (columns), and it gives you a custom pattern to import into Photoshop. A Photoshop extension is also available, and you can download a PNG or transparency map, too.
This tool enables you to create a grid template for Photoshop and other image editing applications. Enter the baseline, the module’s width and height, the gutter width, and the number of modules (columns), and it gives you a custom pattern to import into Photoshop. A Photoshop extension is also available, and you can download a PNG or transparency map, too.
Susy
A Rails framework that enables you to create a completely custom grid based on your mark-up and designs. No more compromises because the grid framework you’re working with isn’t quite what you need, and no more spending hours tweaking things to get them just right so that the design works the way you want.
A Rails framework that enables you to create a completely custom grid based on your mark-up and designs. No more compromises because the grid framework you’re working with isn’t quite what you need, and no more spending hours tweaking things to get them just right so that the design works the way you want.
Griddle.it
A clean and simple way to help you align your layouts. All you need to do is put your dimensions after the URL provided to get a background guide image to work with in your browser. Grids are created on the fly, so any combination should work.
A clean and simple way to help you align your layouts. All you need to do is put your dimensions after the URL provided to get a background guide image to work with in your browser. Grids are created on the fly, so any combination should work.
Last Click
ASCII Pronunciation Rules for Programmers
Most programmers would recognize ASCII characters on a website and know how to use them in their own work. But how many know what to call all those characters? This article gives a pretty thorough rundown of common and not-so-common names for ASCII characters. It’s a useful guide if you’re ever at a loss when listening to another programmer speak about coding.
Most programmers would recognize ASCII characters on a website and know how to use them in their own work. But how many know what to call all those characters? This article gives a pretty thorough rundown of common and not-so-common names for ASCII characters. It’s a useful guide if you’re ever at a loss when listening to another programmer speak about coding.
Weave Silk
Is your desktop, motivation or even design work in need of something fresh, swirly and remarkable? Just weave some Silk! Yuri Vishnevsky created this experimental, magical interactive gimmick. You can spend minutes playing around with this little technique, based upon HTML5 Canvas: no Flash in use.
Is your desktop, motivation or even design work in need of something fresh, swirly and remarkable? Just weave some Silk! Yuri Vishnevsky created this experimental, magical interactive gimmick. You can spend minutes playing around with this little technique, based upon HTML5 Canvas: no Flash in use.
From Me To You
No, this has nothing to do with CSS, HTML or JavaScript, but it is just remarkable. On her photography blog, Jamie Beck presents scenes from around the world, memorable events, food, people and small personal universes. The interesting part is that her photos are animated (hence the name); they come to life using good old animated GIFs. Pay a visit to the article Positioning an animated gif over a jpg image. His short tutorial explains how to save on bytes when putting GIFs and JPEGs together, without losing too much quality.
No, this has nothing to do with CSS, HTML or JavaScript, but it is just remarkable. On her photography blog, Jamie Beck presents scenes from around the world, memorable events, food, people and small personal universes. The interesting part is that her photos are animated (hence the name); they come to life using good old animated GIFs. Pay a visit to the article Positioning an animated gif over a jpg image. His short tutorial explains how to save on bytes when putting GIFs and JPEGs together, without losing too much quality.
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