Open Source Resources for Web Application Developers

XRegExp is an open source (MIT license) JavaScript library that provides an augmented, extensible, cross-browser implementation of regular expressions, including support for additional syntax, flags, and methods.

XRegExp adds new regex and replacement text syntax, including comprehensive support for named capture. It also provides a suite of 12 functions and methods that make complex regex processing a breeze. And it lets you easily create and use plugins that add new syntax and flags to XRegExp’s regular expression language.

XRegExp is fully compliant with the regular expression flavor specified in ECMA-262 Edition 3 (ES3), and has been tested with Internet Explorer 5.5–8, Firefox 2–3, Safari 3–4, Chrome 1–2, and Opera 9. XRegExp uses feature detection—no browser sniffing.

Requirements: -
Demo: http://xregexp.com/
License: MIT License

• 1 Comment

Hemlock is an open-source web development framework, focused on allowing easy development of real-time, many-to-many apps. Hemlock follows the inspiration of Ruby web frameworks like Rails and Merb. It can be used for applications such as games, workspace collaboration and education.

A client registers for message and is only contacted when a relevant one arrives. By combining the scalability of XMPP with the flexibility of Flash, Hemlock allows you to create web applications that are more dynamic, interactive and exciting.

Hemlock 0.1 is now ready for download. Hemlock includes an example app called DrawingDemoContainer. This shows off two of the starter HemlockWidgets: a basic chatroom, and a multi-user canvas for drawing pictures. Either of these can be reused, modified, and skinned across Hemlock apps. You can learn more about Hemlock and the setup process in Learn section.

Requirements: Flash Required
Demo: http://hemlock-kills.com/
License: MIT License

• 0 Comments

When it comes to form validation, it’s hard to have a versatile solution that works with every form. Figuring out how to display errors is not a simple task. Cedric Dugas has created a jQuery Validation Engine in order to solve this problem.

When an error needs to be displayed, the script creates a div and positions it in the top right corner of the input. This way you don’t have to worry about your HTML form structure. The rounded corner and shadow are done with CSS3 and degrade well in non compliant browsers. There is no images needed.

When you submit a form, it will look for inputs with predefined class selectors, and validate them accordingly to their type. It also does on the fly validation when you click outside of the input. Localisation language is also available. It has been tested on Internet Exploder 6 & 7, Firefox 3+, Safari 4 and Chrome 1+.

Requirements: jQuery Framework
Demo: http://www.position-relative.net/creation/formValidator/
License: MIT License

• 9 Comments

The jQuery BlockUI Plugin lets you simulate synchronous behavior when using AJAX, without locking the browser. When activated, it will prevent user activity with the page (or part of the page) until it is deactivated.

BlockUI adds elements to the DOM to give it both the appearance and behavior of blocking user interaction. It is particular useful for creating loading screen for web application. BlockUI is compatible with jQuery v1.2.3 and later.

Requirements: jQuery Framework v1.2.3+
Demo: http://malsup.com/jquery/block/
License: MIT, GPL License

• 2 Comments

jQuery Tools is a collection of the most important user-interface components for today’s websites. This single JavaScript file weighs only 5.8 Kb. This library contains some useful JavaScript tools like tabs, tooltips, accordions, overlays, smooth navigation, great visual effects and all those “web 2.0″ goodies that you have seen on your favourite websites.

You don’t need to be a programmer to use these tools. They have lots of Demos you can explore and you can copy their source code to your site and things will work. Each tool is used in a similar manner and by learning one tool you can easily learn the other tools.

And above all, the library is constantly maintained and updated. Expect to see new releases coming out on a regular basis. This library is dual licensed under MIT and GPL 2+ licenses.

Requirements: jQuery Framework
Demo: http://flowplayer.org/tools/demos/index.html
License: MIT, GPL 2+ License

• 10 Comments

The Dock is a set of iconic images that expand when rolled over with the cursor, and usually perform some action when clicked. jqDock is a jQuery plugin that mimics that behaviour by transforming a contiguous set of HTML images into an expanding Dock, vertical or horizontal, with or without labels.

Basically, jqDock expands a reduced size image towards its full size when the cursor is on or near it. You can specify a vertical or horizontal orientation for the Dock, and select the direction in which the image should expand and whether to show labels or not. The styling and positioning of the Dock is (almost) entirely down to you.

You should also check out other Fish Eye Menus we mentioned earlier.

Requirements: jQuery Framework
Demo: http://www.wizzud.com/jqDock/
License: MIT, GPL License

• 8 Comments

Developer Kevin van Zonneveld was once working on a project with a lot of client(JS) / server(PHP) interaction, and he found himself coding PHP functions (like base64_decode & urldecode) in JavaScript to smoothen communication between the two languages.

He stored the stored the functions in a file called PHP.JS which was included in the project. But even when the project was done, it remained fun trying to port PHP functions to JavaScript, and so the library grew.

Kevin decided to share the little library on his blog, triggering the enthusiasm of a lot of PHP developers longing for PHP functionality in JavaScript. PHP.JS is an open source project in which they try to port PHP functions to JavaScript. By including the PHP.JS library in your own projects, you can use your favorite PHP functions client-side.

Requirements: Javascript Enabled
Demo: http://phpjs.org/
License: MIT and GPL Licenses

• 2 Comments

Axiis is an open source data visualization framework designed for beginner and expert developers alike. Axiis gives developers the ability to expressively define their data visualizations through concise and intuitive markup.

Axiis provides both pre-built visualization components as well as abstract layout patterns and rendering classes that allow you to create your own unique visualizations. Axiis was designed to be a granular framework, allowing developers to mix and match components and build complex output by compositing together basic building blocks.

Axiis is an open source project, under an MIT license. This means you can use it for personal projects, commercial work, and pretty much anything you can think of with no restrictions.

Requirements: Degrafa Graphics Framework & Adobe Flex 3
Demo: http://www.axiis.org/examples.html
License: MIT License

• 1 Comment

You have probably seen these forms of advertisings where you can peel a corner of a website and see a message underneath. SohTanaka has made a tutorial: Simple Page Peel Effect with jQuery & CSS. All they are doing is expanding the image on hover, then retracting to its default size on hover out.

You may also interested in The Sexy Curls jQuery Plugin if you like this tutorial. The page corner can be set to curl automatically. The plugin is released under the MIT license. That means you can do whatever you like with it.

Requirements: jQuery Framework
Demo: http://www.sohtanaka.com/web-design/examples/peeling-effect/
Demo: http://www.elliottkember.com/sexy_curls.html
License: MIT License

• 4 Comments

BySlideMenu is a plugin for Mootools which allow you to easily create a beautiful accordion menu (sliding menu) on any element you want using images and/or text. It works horizontally or vertically. Menu can be pinned or not, by mouseover or click. It’s totally free. You can download it, modify it and use it in any commercial project as long as you respect the license. It’s Open Source!

If you like this plugin, you should take a look at Phatfusion Image Menu as well.

Requirements: Mootools Framework
Demo: http://www.byscripts.info/scripts/javascript-dynamic-accordion-menu
License: MIT License

• 3 Comments