Guides

Original tutorials and reference articles for developers and automation engineers. Each guide links to related Flashman tools you can use immediately in your browser.

• JWT explained: how to decode tokens safely

  Learn JSON Web Token structure, common claims, and why decoding is not the same as verification.

  2026-06-01 · 6 min read

• JSON formatting and validation: a practical guide

  How to pretty-print, minify, and validate JSON for APIs, configs, and logs—without leaking data.

  2026-06-01 · 5 min read

• Base64 encoding explained (and why it is not encryption)

  What Base64 is for, when to use it, and common pitfalls with Unicode and padding.

  2026-05-28 · 4 min read

• YAML vs JSON: when to use each format

  Compare readability, tooling, and trade-offs for configuration and APIs.

  2026-05-28 · 5 min read

• Cron expressions: schedule jobs with confidence

  Understand five-field cron syntax and avoid timezone surprises in production.

  2026-05-25 · 5 min read

• URL encoding: common mistakes and fixes

  Percent-encoding rules for query strings, paths, and plus signs in form data.

  2026-05-25 · 4 min read

• Why client-side developer tools protect your data

  How in-browser processing reduces leak risk for tokens, configs, and customer data.

  2026-05-20 · 4 min read

• MATLAB & Simulink: JSON workflows for engineers

  Bridge JSON configuration and MATLAB matrices or structs for automation and calibration.

  2026-05-20 · 6 min read

• SHA hashing explained for developers

  What SHA-256 and SHA-512 do, when to use them, and what hashing is not.

  2026-05-18 · 4 min read

• Regex testing workflow: match with confidence

  How to prototype regular expressions safely before shipping validation logic.

  2026-05-18 · 5 min read