# Mecanik Dev

> Learn web development, programming, security, infrastructure, and AI skills through real-world experiences and insights. Free developer tools included.

For comprehensive details on all services, case studies with measurable outcomes, and full tool descriptions, see [llms-full.txt](https://mecanik.dev/llms-full.txt).

Mecanik Dev is a technical blog and developer tools platform by Norbert E. Boros (Mecanik), a software developer with extensive experience in web development, systems design, and security. The site is available in 12 languages: English, Arabic, German, French, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Romanian, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.

## Site Sections

- [Home](https://mecanik.dev/): Main landing page with latest posts and featured content.
- [Posts](https://mecanik.dev/posts/): Technical blog posts covering programming, security, AI, and web development.
- [Tools](https://mecanik.dev/tools/): 40 free online developer tools - most run entirely in the browser, no data stored.
- [API](https://mecanik.dev/en/api/): Pay-per-use REST API - 45 endpoints for AI, security analysis, email, reports, developer utilities, and Discord tools. 100 free credits on signup.
- [Products](https://mecanik.dev/products/): Commercial and free desktop software products.
- [Services](https://mecanik.dev/services/): Professional development and security services with free, no-obligation quotes.
- [About](https://mecanik.dev/about/): About the author and his professional background.
- [Contact](https://mecanik.dev/contact/): Contact form.
- [FAQ](https://mecanik.dev/faq/): Frequently asked questions.

## Services

Professional services by MECANIK DEV LTD (UK). Every engagement is handled personally, with free, no-obligation quotes.

- [Website Development](https://mecanik.dev/services/website-development/): WordPress sites, modern framework websites built in React, Next.js, Astro, Vue/Nuxt, Svelte/SvelteKit, or static site generators like Hugo, Jekyll, Eleventy, and Docusaurus, hosted on Cloudflare's global edge network, and bespoke Symfony web applications.
- [Software Development](https://mecanik.dev/services/software-development/): High-performance desktop and server applications built with C/C++ and Qt, Windows-only or cross-platform.
- [AI Integration](https://mecanik.dev/services/ai-integration/): LLM API integration (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google AI), prompt engineering, and production-ready AI features.
- [COBOL Migration](https://mecanik.dev/services/cobol-migration/): Legacy COBOL mainframe applications converted to modern C++ with output parity testing.
- [Website Security Analysis](https://mecanik.dev/services/website-security/): OWASP-based vulnerability assessment for websites and web applications.
- [Application Security Analysis](https://mecanik.dev/services/application-security/): Security analysis for Windows, Linux, and macOS applications.
- [Server Security Analysis](https://mecanik.dev/services/server-security/): Server hardening assessment and implementation.
- [SEO Audit](https://mecanik.dev/services/seo-audit/): Technical SEO audit with actionable recommendations and optional implementation.

## Products

### COBOL Migration Tools
- [Easy COBOL Migrator](https://mecanik.dev/products/easy-cobol-migrator/): Desktop COBOL transpiler. Converts COBOL programs to C++ 17, Python 3, Rust, Go, Java 17, and C# 12 using a full compiler pipeline with semantic analysis and migration diagnostics. Professional from $2,995, Enterprise from $9,995.
- [Easy COBOL DB Migrator](https://mecanik.dev/products/easy-cobol-db-migrator/): Desktop COBOL database migration tool. Analyzes flat files, VSAM, DB2, CICS, and IMS/DL-I, generates SQL DDL for 5 databases, data access layer code in 6 languages, and ETL migration scripts. Professional from $4,995, Enterprise from $14,995.
- [Easy COBOL Migration Complete Bundle](https://mecanik.dev/products/easy-cobol-complete-bundle/): Both Easy COBOL Migrator and Easy COBOL DB Migrator together. Enterprise-only at $19,995 (save $4,995 vs separate purchase).

### Free Cloudflare Desktop Apps
- [Easy Cloudflare D1](https://mecanik.dev/products/easy-cloudflare-d1/): Free desktop app to browse, query, and manage Cloudflare D1 serverless SQL databases.
- [Easy Cloudflare Images](https://mecanik.dev/products/easy-cloudflare-images/): Free desktop app to upload, manage, and optimize images with Cloudflare Images.
- [Easy Cloudflare KV](https://mecanik.dev/products/easy-cloudflare-kv/): Free desktop app to browse, manage, and monitor Cloudflare Workers KV namespaces.
- [Easy Cloudflare R2](https://mecanik.dev/products/easy-cloudflare-r2/): Free desktop app to browse, upload, and manage Cloudflare R2 object storage buckets.

## Blog Posts

- [A Fast, UTF-8 Aware C++ Tokenizer for NLP & ML](https://mecanik.dev/posts/a-fast-utf-8-aware-c++-tokenizer-for-nlp-ml/): Building a high-performance BPE tokenizer in modern C++.
- [Tiny BPE Trainer - A Fast and Lightweight BPE Trainer in C++](https://mecanik.dev/posts/tiny-bpe-trainer-a-fast-and-lightweight-bpe-trainer-in-c++/): Lightweight byte-pair encoding trainer implementation.
- [Memory Safety Is a Skill Issue Not a Language Issue](https://mecanik.dev/posts/memory-safety-is-a-skill-issue-not-a-language-issue/): Discussion on memory safety across programming languages.
- [ChatGPT 5 Review - Features, Improvements & Real-World Performance](https://mecanik.dev/posts/chatgpt-5-review-features-improvements-real-world-performance/): In-depth review of ChatGPT 5.
- [ChatGPT vs Gemini vs Grok vs Deepseek vs Claude](https://mecanik.dev/posts/chatgpt-vs-gemini-vs-grok-vs-deepseek-vs-claude/): Comprehensive comparison of major AI models.
- [OpenAI ChatGPT 5 vs Grok 4](https://mecanik.dev/posts/openai-chatgpt-5-vs-grok-4-which-one-creates-better-python-code/): Comparing AI code generation capabilities.
- [ChatGPT vs Github Copilot](https://mecanik.dev/posts/chatgpt-vs-github-copilot-in-depth-comparison-ai-tools-showdown/): AI coding tools comparison.
- [Does True AI Exist](https://mecanik.dev/posts/does-true-ai-exist-unraveling-the-myths-and-reality/): Exploring myths and reality around artificial intelligence.
- [Learn Programming Fundamentals](https://mecanik.dev/posts/learn-programming-fundamentals-choosing-the-right-language/): Guide to choosing the right programming language.
- [C++ Data Types to .NET](https://mecanik.dev/posts/c++-data-types-to-.net/): Mapping C++ data types to their .NET equivalents.
- [Runtime Encrypted Strings Part 1](https://mecanik.dev/posts/runtime-encrypted-strings-part-1/): Implementing string encryption at runtime.
- [Convert DOS and NT Paths Using RTL Functions](https://mecanik.dev/posts/convert-dos-and-nt-paths-using-rtl-functions/): Windows path conversion techniques.
- [How to Write Mini Dump on Software Crash](https://mecanik.dev/posts/how-to-write-mini-dump-on-software-crash/): Creating crash dumps for debugging.
- [Cloudflare Pages - Register, Login, and User System](https://mecanik.dev/posts/cloudflare-pages-register-login-and-user-system/): Building authentication on Cloudflare Pages.
- [Cloudflare Image Resizing for WordPress](https://mecanik.dev/posts/cloudflare-image-resizing-for-wordpress/): Optimizing WordPress images with Cloudflare.
- [Cloudflare Image Resizing for PrestaShop](https://mecanik.dev/posts/cloudflare-image-resizing-for-prestashop/): Optimizing PrestaShop images with Cloudflare.
- [How to Block Proxies Using Cloudflare Workers](https://mecanik.dev/posts/how-to-block-proxies-using-cloudflare-workers/): Blocking proxy traffic with Cloudflare Workers.
- [How to Block TOR Network Using Cloudflare Workers](https://mecanik.dev/posts/how-to-block-tor-network-using-cloudflare-workers/): Blocking Tor exit nodes with Cloudflare Workers.
- [Securing Linux Servers with CSF](https://mecanik.dev/posts/securing-linux-servers-with-csf-the-ultimate-guide-for-2023/): Comprehensive guide to ConfigServer Firewall.
- [SEO Crash Course](https://mecanik.dev/posts/seo-crash-course-boost-rankings-and-drive-traffic-fast/): Guide to boosting search rankings and driving traffic.
- [How to Deal with @font-face](https://mecanik.dev/posts/how-to-deal-with-font-face/): Proper web font implementation techniques.
- [How to Deal with Responsive Images](https://mecanik.dev/posts/how-to-deal-with-responsive-images/): Implementing responsive images correctly.
- [Password Managers Guide](https://mecanik.dev/posts/password-managers-unlocking-online-security-comprehensive-guide/): Comprehensive guide to password managers.
- [Ultimate Guide Making Money Online](https://mecanik.dev/posts/ultimate-guide-making-money-online-for-beginners/): Beginner's guide to online income.
- [Bitcoin Explodes Past $122000](https://mecanik.dev/posts/bitcoin-explodes-past-122000-new-all-time-high/): Analysis of Bitcoin's new all-time high.
- [TryHackMe Room Nmap](https://mecanik.dev/posts/tryhackme-room-nmap-task1-15/): Walkthrough of TryHackMe Nmap room.
- [TryHackMe Room Metasploit](https://mecanik.dev/posts/tryhackme-room-metasploit/): Walkthrough of TryHackMe Metasploit room.
- [TryHackMe Room Introductory Networking](https://mecanik.dev/posts/tryhackme-room-introductory-networking/): Walkthrough of networking fundamentals room.
- [TryHackMe Room Borderlands](https://mecanik.dev/posts/tryhackme-room-borderlands/): Walkthrough of TryHackMe Borderlands room.

## Developer Tools

All tools are free and privacy-focused. Most run entirely in your browser with no server-side processing. No data is stored.

### Encoding & Decoding
- [Base64 Encode](https://mecanik.dev/tools/base64-encode/): Encode text or binary data to Base64 format.
- [Base64 Decode](https://mecanik.dev/tools/base64-decode/): Decode Base64 strings back to plain text or binary.
- [URL Encode](https://mecanik.dev/tools/url-encode/): Percent-encode text for safe use in URLs.
- [URL Decode](https://mecanik.dev/tools/url-decode/): Decode percent-encoded URL strings.
- [Hex Encode](https://mecanik.dev/tools/hex-encode/): Convert text to hexadecimal representation.
- [Hex Decode](https://mecanik.dev/tools/hex-decode/): Convert hexadecimal strings back to text.
- [Number Base Converter](https://mecanik.dev/tools/number-base-converter/): Convert numbers between binary, octal, decimal and hexadecimal.
- [Unicode Escape / Unescape](https://mecanik.dev/tools/unicode-escape/): Convert text to and from \uXXXX escape sequences.
- [Morse Code Translator](https://mecanik.dev/tools/morse-code/): Translate text to Morse code and back.
- [HTML Entity Encode](https://mecanik.dev/tools/html-entity-encode/): Escape special characters as HTML entities.
- [HTML Entity Decode](https://mecanik.dev/tools/html-entity-decode/): Unescape HTML entities back to characters.
- [Image to Base64](https://mecanik.dev/tools/image-to-base64/): Convert images to Base64 encoded strings for CSS and HTML embedding.

### Text & Data
- [JWT Decoder](https://mecanik.dev/tools/jwt-decoder/): Decode and inspect JSON Web Token header and payload.
- [JSON Formatter](https://mecanik.dev/tools/json-formatter/): Format, validate and minify JSON with syntax highlighting.
- [Markdown Preview](https://mecanik.dev/tools/markdown-preview/): Write Markdown and see a live HTML preview side by side.
- [Markdown to HTML](https://mecanik.dev/tools/markdown-to-html/): Convert Markdown syntax to clean HTML with live preview.
- [Text Analyzer](https://mecanik.dev/tools/text-analyzer/): Count characters, words, sentences, paragraphs and estimate reading time.
- [Text Diff Checker](https://mecanik.dev/tools/text-diff/): Compare two blocks of text side by side and highlight differences.
- [Lorem Ipsum Generator](https://mecanik.dev/tools/lorem-ipsum/): Generate placeholder text for designs and layouts.
- [CSS Minifier / Beautifier](https://mecanik.dev/tools/css-minify/): Minify or beautify CSS code with size statistics.
- [Cron Expression Parser](https://mecanik.dev/tools/cron-parser/): Parse and explain cron expressions with next execution times.
- [Case Converter](https://mecanik.dev/tools/case-converter/): Convert text between UPPERCASE, lowercase, camelCase, snake_case and more.
- [JSON to CSV Converter](https://mecanik.dev/tools/json-csv/): Convert JSON arrays to CSV and CSV back to JSON.
- [HTML to Markdown](https://mecanik.dev/tools/html-to-markdown/): Convert HTML into clean Markdown.
- [SQL Formatter](https://mecanik.dev/tools/sql-formatter/): Format and beautify SQL queries for MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server and more.
- [YAML to JSON Converter](https://mecanik.dev/tools/yaml-json/): Convert YAML to JSON and JSON back to YAML.

### Generators & Testers
- [Hash Generator](https://mecanik.dev/tools/hash-generator/): Generate MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256 and SHA-512 hashes from text.
- [UUID Generator](https://mecanik.dev/tools/uuid-generator/): Generate UUIDs in versions 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
- [Regex Tester](https://mecanik.dev/tools/regex-tester/): Test regular expressions against sample text with live matching.
- [Password Generator](https://mecanik.dev/tools/password-generator/): Generate cryptographically secure random passwords.
- [Color Converter](https://mecanik.dev/tools/color-converter/): Convert between HEX, RGB and HSL color formats with live preview.
- [Timestamp Converter](https://mecanik.dev/tools/timestamp-converter/): Convert between Unix timestamps and human-readable dates.
- [QR Code Generator](https://mecanik.dev/tools/qr-code-generator/): Create QR codes from text or URLs and download as PNG.
- [Bcrypt Generator & Checker](https://mecanik.dev/tools/bcrypt-generator/): Hash passwords with bcrypt and verify a password against a hash.

### Network & Security
- [DNS Lookup](https://mecanik.dev/tools/dns-lookup/): Query DNS records (A, AAAA, MX, TXT, CNAME) for any domain.
- [HTTP Header Inspector](https://mecanik.dev/tools/http-headers/): Inspect HTTP response headers for any URL.
- [SSL Certificate Checker](https://mecanik.dev/tools/ssl-check/): View SSL/TLS certificate details for any website.
- [WHOIS Lookup](https://mecanik.dev/tools/whois-lookup/): Look up domain registration and ownership information.
- [IP Address Lookup](https://mecanik.dev/tools/ip-lookup/): Look up geolocation and ISP information for any IP address.
- [CIDR / Subnet Calculator](https://mecanik.dev/tools/cidr-calculator/): Calculate network address, broadcast, subnet mask and host range from CIDR notation.

## Mecanik API

Pay-per-use REST API for AI, security analysis, and developer utilities. No subscriptions, credits never expire, and every new account receives 100 free credits on signup (no credit card required). Built on Cloudflare Workers for low-latency worldwide.

- **Overview and pricing:** https://mecanik.dev/en/api/
- **Documentation:** https://api.mecanik.dev/docs
- **Account and credits:** https://members.mecanik.dev
- **Base URL:** https://api.mecanik.dev/v1/client/{uuid}/tools/{endpoint} (Bearer token auth, JSON `{ result, success, errors }` responses).

45 endpoints across six categories:
- **AI-Powered (5-12 credits):** ai-code-review, ai-content-summarize, ai-seo-generate, ai-translate, ai-chat, ai-image-generate, ai-extract, ai-alt-text, ai-moderation.
- **Security and Website Analysis (5 credits):** security-headers, tls-check, tech-detect, seo-analyze, dns-lookup, openapi-validate, subdomain-finder, exposed-files.
- **Email Tools (2-15 credits):** email-deliverability, email-validator, email-validator-bulk, email-spam-check, email-header-analyzer, email-blacklist-check.
- **Premium Reports (2-20 credits):** website-audit, performance-audit, broken-link-checker, carbon-footprint.
- **Developer Utilities (1 credit):** qr-generate, placeholder-image, hash-generate, jwt-decode, password-strength, cron-explain, token-counter, json-to-code.
- **Discord Tools (1-3 credits):** discord-snowflake-decode, discord-timestamp, discord-embed-build, discord-permissions-calc, discord-intents-calc, discord-bot-invite, discord-cdn-resolve, discord-moderate, discord-text-sanitize, discord-command-validate.

Pricing: 250 credits for $5, 1,500 credits for $15, or 5,000 credits for $39 (best value, $0.0078/credit). Pay only for what you use.

## Author

Norbert E. Boros (Mecanik) - Software developer with extensive experience in web development, systems programming, security, and AI/ML. Has worked with clients including Rolls Royce, LinkedIn, VMware, Alibaba, CrowdStrike, and more.

- [GitHub](https://github.com/mecanik)
- [Mastodon](https://mastodon.social/@mecanik)
- [Stack Overflow](https://stackoverflow.com/users/6583298/mecanik)
- [Twitter/X](https://x.com/Mecanik1337)