A variety of code playgrounds have appeared during the past couple of years. The majority offer a quick and dirty way to experiment with client-side code and share with others. Typical features include:
- color-coded HTML, CSS and JavaScript editors
- a preview window â many update on the fly without a refresh
- HTML pre-processors such as HAML
- LESS, SASS and Stylus CSS pre-processing
- inclusion of popular JavaScript libraries
- developer consoles and code validation tools
- sharing via a short URL
- embedding demonstrations in other pages
- code forking
- zero cost (or payment for premium services only)
- showing off your coding skills to the world!
The best feature: they allow you to test and keep experimental snippets code without the rigmarole of creating files, firing up your IDE or setting up a local server.
My favorite is Plunkr.
Plunker is an online community for creating, collaborating on and sharing your web development ideas. It has a very good support for AngualarJs.
It is just like an IDE on web. You can make changes in file see the preview online, error notification etc. Best thing is you can share the final POC with others to experiment
you can create multiple files in the same project. This means you can test more abstractly, and easily swap functionality in and out. Your HTML head is in your code window making it easy to see whatâs getting loaded. Being able to create your own files also means being able to create external datasources, which is fantastic for playing with dataloading functionality.
However there are other and they are nice as well. Have a look at them and pick what suits your taste
JSFiddle was one of the earliest code playgrounds and a major influence for all which followed. Despite the name, it can be used for any combination of HTML, CSS and JavaScript testing. Itâs looking a little basic today, but still offers advanced functionality such as Ajax simulation.
The prize for the best-looking feature-packed playground goes to CodePen. The service highlights popular demonstrations (âPensâ) and offers advanced functionality such as sharing and embedding. The PRO service provides cross-browser testing, pair-programming and teaching options for just $9 per month.
This may be named CSS Deck, but itâs a fully-fledged HTML, CSS and JavaScript playground with social and collaboration features. Itâs similar to CodePen (I donât know who influenced who!) but you might prefer it.
JS Bin was started by JS guru Remy Sharp. It concentrates on the basics and handles them exceedingly well. As far as Iâm aware, itâs also the only option which offers a JavaScript console. Recommended.
Another early playground, Dabblet started life as an HTML5/CSS3 demonstration system by Lea Verou but itâs recently received JavaScript facilities. It looks gorgeous and has one killer feature â browser CSS prefixes are added automatically. Thereâs no need to enter that -webkit, -moz and -ms nonsense yourself.
Tinkerbin is an alpha release and one of the simpler options here. It may not offer features above and beyond the alternatives but itâs attractive and functional.
Liveweave is slightly unusual in that it places your HTML, CSS and JavaScript into a single file. Itâs not possible to share your creation, but you can download the result and store or open it locally. Itâs ideal for quick and dirty private experimentation.
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