Code

How to create a Private GitHub repository and access via SSH with TortiseGIT

July 17, 2021 by Simon

Here is a guide on using the GUI TortoiseGIT, GIT for Windows with GitHub.

Creating a GitHub Account

Make sure you have a GitHub account (free is OK) https://github.com/

I used my defined hardware Security Key

I clicked New Repo

Repo Settings

I set Private
Added a readme
Set .gitignore for Visual Studio files
I had no idea what licence to select (read more on licences here)

I clicked Create repository

Creating RSA Keys

Now I will create an SSH key to protect communications with GitHub.

When logged into GitHub, I clicked the SSH and GPG Keys menu

I clicked New SSH Key button

GitHub wants a public SSH Key

Setup Git Locally

I checked to see if the “git” command was installed on my local machine.

I will install Git from https://gitforwindows.org/

I download Git-2.32.0.2-64-bit.exe and started the installer

Folder C:\Program Files\Git

Set Options (e.g I like Check for Daily updates)

Start Menu Folder

Text Editor: I like Sublime Text from https://www.sublimetext.com/3

Set an Initial Branch name

Set 3rd party software options

Set HTTPS options

Set Line Endings preferences

Set Terminal Emulators preferences

Set Git Pull default preferences

Set Credential Manager preferences

Set Extra Options

Experimental Options

Installing

First Launch

Git is installed

Install Tortoise GIt

Visit https://tortoisegit.org/

Download Gif (64bit)

I started the installer.

Licence Agreement

SSH Type

Components

Install

Installing (Wizard)

Language: English

Shell Extension

I checked for a known git path.

I set my desired git username and email

I set desired SSH settings

Folder for Code Repositories

I create C:\Code\MyTestRepo

Before I can clone a repository I need o set the past to SSH in TortoiseGit.

I right-clicked on C:\Code\MyTestRepo and selected TortiseGit\Settings

I expanded the Network Node and set the following as the SSH Client

“C:\Program Files\TortoiseGit\bin\TortoiseGitPLink.exe”

I saved the Settings.

Clone a GitHub Repository via git and Tortoise GIT

Now I can clone a repositor to C:\Code\MyTestRepo,

I right clicked on C:\Code\MyTestRepo in explorer and clicked Git Clone

I added by GIT URL (Obtained from GitHub), I also set the path for the Private Key I created earlier.

I was informed that the key is in the wrong format

I need to convert the RAS Private Key to a Putty PPK Key

Convert an RSA Key to a Putty PPK with PuuttyGen

I opened the Open Putty Gen

I click Load and select the id_github_test private key I created earlier

I entered my private key password

The private key loaded.

Now I can export the private key to a PPK format

Clone (with a PPK Private Key)

Getting back to cloning a repository I right-clicked on C:\Code\MyTestRepo

I set the PPK private key

I entered the password

I accepted the key

The Repository started cloning.

Creating a Quick Visual Studio Project

I created a quick Visual Studio project and saved it to C:\Code\MyTestRepo\Hello World

Visual Studio files were visible in C:\Code\MyTestRepo

I Commit the new files to the repository (main branch)

I selected desired files to commit

Files were added

I right-clicked on C:\Code\MyTestRepo and selected TortoiseGit\Push

Files are now visible in GitHub

Awesome

Setup on Multiple Machines

I set up Git on multiple machines, cloned, made chances, committed those changes and pushed. I was able to Sync down those changes to each machine.

Good advice on Using Git

Happy Coding

Adafruit HUZZAH32 ESP32 Feather + RTC + Alpha-Numeric LED + Solenoid Zen Clock

September 10, 2020 by Simon

This IoT project is under construction.

My goal is to have a Microcontroller strike a Singbowl (I purchased from https://singbowls.com/) every hour between 7AM and 9PM (every day) to remind my kids to be more mindful and stay in the present moment. I had a minor stroke 3 years ago and I can tell you that mindfulness is very important.

The Microcontroller I will use is an ESP-32 running off 5 volts (DC) that will have a solid-state real-time clock and each hour a solenoid will be activated and strike the sing bowl (making a nice noise)

Extra strikes will wake the kids up on school mornings and at their bedtime.

Disclaimer: I am not a qualified electrician or electronics expert. All advice is given “as is” and without guarantees or defects. In software coding or electronics there is always edge cases and limits of code or circuits. I did not get a discount for the Sing bowl to promote them and this is not a plug for Adafruit.

Why?

Ever since I pulled apart my first remote control Christmas toy at 10 years old I have been fascinated with Electronics. At 14 year old, I became fascinated with Computer Games and at 16 years old I became fascinated with computer programming.

40 years later (almost 25-year’s working as a software engineer/programming) I now have time to return to a childhood passion and discover electronic circuits are and how to make them.

Better still I can control the circuits with computer code.

Sing Bowl Sound

Here is a video recording of the sound of the Sing bowl before purchased it (video kindly made by Anup before purchase). Thanks, Anup for answering my silly questions.

I am calling it a Zen bowl as my Kids know Zen. Apologies Anup.

I found Anup and https://singbowls.com/ by searching YouTube one night and I found this 9-year-old video.

Parts

Below are parts I am using.

Adafruit HUZZAH32 – ESP32 Feather Board (pre-soldered)
Adafruit: DS3231 Precision RTC FeatherWing – RTC Add-on For Feather Boards
Adafruit 0.54″ Quad Alphanumeric FeatherWing Display – Green
Particle FeatherWing Trippler
Adafruit Prototyping Add-on Board for Feather
1x 12 Solenoid (12V 8Amp)
1x N-CHANNEL MOSFET 60V 30A
Fallback Diode (1N4004 1A 400V Diode – Pack of 4)
Box – Hand Made (TBA)
Resistors, LEDs, Headers, Buttons (TBA)

I have ordered the bulk of the parts from Australia (e.g https://core-electronics.com.au/). Core Electronics are awesome as they have great chat support on their website and answer silly questions from me.

Pre Assembled v Soldering

You may be able to buy all pre-assembled parts or you can solder the parts where needed. I have a cheap Soldering iron from Jaycar.

I decided to solder the Clock and Display but not the ESP-32. I used Lead-free solder and Rosin flux.

Soldering can be fun but with you need good close up vision or you miss pins like me.

I had pins that needed touching up as they has too little solder contact

After a few touch ups and close inspections I was happy with solder joints.

All feather boards fit the tripper board after 100 odd solder connections (including the screen joints not pictured)

After solder joints were made and I cleaned them up with pure Isopropyl Alcohol I tested each joint with my multimeter to ensure each joint was not connected to nearby joints.

I tripped tested each connection as I did not want issues later.

Installing the Arduino IDE Software

On Windows, go to https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software

Download ARDUINO 1.8.13+ (for Windows)

I Installed the Software

During the setup ensure you install the USB Driver

Also make sure you agree to the device install prompts

Adafruit COM Port

2. Arduino USB Driver(s)

and

Now the Arduino IDE Will be installed

Installing the Adafruit SiLabs CP2104 Driver

I need to install the SiLabs CP2104 Driver.

This can be obtained from the Adafruit website here (https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-huzzah32-esp32-feather/using-with-arduino-ide).

This redirects to here: https://www.silabs.com/products/development-tools/software/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers

Download the “Windows 10 Universal – VCP Software): CP210x_Universal_Windows_Driver.zip

Extract the contents of CP210x_Universal_Windows_Driver.zip

Run CP210xVCPInstaller_x64.exe as Administrator

I Installed the Drivers

Installing the Adafruit ESP Feather in the Arduino IDE Boards Manager

The Espressif Arduino GitHub repository details how you can add the EBS32boards to the Arduino Boards Manager. Scroll down to “Installation Instructions”

Go to https://github.com/espressif/arduino-esp32#using-through-arduino-ide

Open the Arduino IDE Application and click File then Preferences

I will follow the steps here https://github.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/blob/master/docs/arduino-ide/boards_manager.md

Under “Additional Boards Manager URL: Add “https://raw.githubusercontent.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/gh-pages/package_esp32_index.json”

I closed the Preferences dialogue

I clicked the Tools menu then Boards then Board Manager

I then search for “esp32”

I clicked Install

Click the list item then the Install button will appear.

This could take a while,

Installing ESP32 Boards Progress Bar

Installing Tools Progress Bar

Updating Libraries

From time to time (if the Arduino IDE does not prompt you) you may need to open the Library Manager and check for updatable libraries to download

Always Install the latest version of each library

Some libraries may need dependencies installed (always click “Install All”)

Selecting the Adafruit Feather in the Arduino IDE

In the Arduino IDE, I went to the Tools Menu then Board the ESP-32 Arduino then select Adafruit Feather ESP-32 Feather to choose that board.

I will need to also define the COM port that the ESP-32 is using. I do that by opening Computer Management/Device Manager on Windows and expand the Ports (COM & LPT), plug in the ESP-32 and see what COM port appears.

Then I can set that COM port in the Arduino IDE.

In the bottom right of the Arduino IDE confirm that your ESP-32 and COM port match

Writing your first sketch to the ESP32

To ensure the soldering is OK and that the Arduino IDE is OK and connection to the board let’s use a simple sketch to replace the default blink sketch.

In the Arduino IDE click the File menu then Examples then 01.Basic then Blink

Code

/*
  Blink

  Turns an LED on for one second, then off for one second, repeatedly.

  Most Arduinos have an on-board LED you can control. On the UNO, MEGA and ZERO
  it is attached to digital pin 13, on MKR1000 on pin 6. LED_BUILTIN is set to
  the correct LED pin independent of which board is used.
  If you want to know what pin the on-board LED is connected to on your Arduino
  model, check the Technical Specs of your board at:
  https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Products

  modified 8 May 2014
  by Scott Fitzgerald
  modified 2 Sep 2016
  by Arturo Guadalupi
  modified 8 Sep 2016
  by Colby Newman

  This example code is in the public domain.

  http://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/Blink
*/

// the setup function runs once when you press reset or power the board
void setup() {
  // initialize digital pin LED_BUILTIN as an output.
  pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT);
}

// the loop function runs over and over again forever
void loop() {
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH);   // turn the LED on (HIGH is the voltage level)
  delay(1000);                       // wait for a second
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW);    // turn the LED off by making the voltage LOW
  delay(1000);                       // wait for a second
}

I changed the first 1000 in the loop to 5000 to make the blink slower than the one from the factory on the board.

Click the Verify then Upload button to confirm you can write to the ESP-32.

Adding the DS3231 Precision RTC Library to the Arduino IDE

Read here to learn about the DS3231 RTC https://learn.adafruit.com/ds3231-precision-rtc-featherwing

I just need to add a CR1220 3v Battery. One battery should last about 5 years.

Only 4 pins (https://learn.adafruit.com/ds3231-precision-rtc-featherwing/pinouts) are used to communicate with the ESP32

I can use the Arduino Library manager to find the RTCLib library

I also need to install the dependencies.

Connecting the DS3231 Precision RTC Library to the ESP32

I connected the RTC Feather to the EBS-32.

Now I can open the example ds3231 sketch and write it to the ESP-32.

In the Arduino IDE click the File menu then Examples then RTCLib then ds3231

Code

// Date and time functions using a DS3231 RTC connected via I2C and Wire lib
#include "RTClib.h"

RTC_DS3231 rtc;

char daysOfTheWeek[7][12] = {"Sunday", "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday", "Saturday"};

void setup () {
  Serial.begin(57600);

#ifndef ESP8266
  while (!Serial); // wait for serial port to connect. Needed for native USB
#endif

  if (! rtc.begin()) {
    Serial.println("Couldn't find RTC");
    Serial.flush();
    abort();
  }

  if (rtc.lostPower()) {
    Serial.println("RTC lost power, let's set the time!");
    // When time needs to be set on a new device, or after a power loss, the
    // following line sets the RTC to the date & time this sketch was compiled
    rtc.adjust(DateTime(F(__DATE__), F(__TIME__)));
    // This line sets the RTC with an explicit date & time, for example to set
    // January 21, 2014 at 3am you would call:
    // rtc.adjust(DateTime(2014, 1, 21, 3, 0, 0));
  }

  // When time needs to be re-set on a previously configured device, the
  // following line sets the RTC to the date & time this sketch was compiled
  // rtc.adjust(DateTime(F(__DATE__), F(__TIME__)));
  // This line sets the RTC with an explicit date & time, for example to set
  // January 21, 2014 at 3am you would call:
  // rtc.adjust(DateTime(2014, 1, 21, 3, 0, 0));
}

void loop () {
    DateTime now = rtc.now();

    Serial.print(now.year(), DEC);
    Serial.print('/');
    Serial.print(now.month(), DEC);
    Serial.print('/');
    Serial.print(now.day(), DEC);
    Serial.print(" (");
    Serial.print(daysOfTheWeek[now.dayOfTheWeek()]);
    Serial.print(") ");
    Serial.print(now.hour(), DEC);
    Serial.print(':');
    Serial.print(now.minute(), DEC);
    Serial.print(':');
    Serial.print(now.second(), DEC);
    Serial.println();

    Serial.print(" since midnight 1/1/1970 = ");
    Serial.print(now.unixtime());
    Serial.print("s = ");
    Serial.print(now.unixtime() / 86400L);
    Serial.println("d");

    // calculate a date which is 7 days and 30 seconds into the future
    DateTime future (now + TimeSpan(7,12,30,6));

    Serial.print(" now + 7d + 30s: ");
    Serial.print(future.year(), DEC);
    Serial.print('/');
    Serial.print(future.month(), DEC);
    Serial.print('/');
    Serial.print(future.day(), DEC);
    Serial.print(' ');
    Serial.print(future.hour(), DEC);
    Serial.print(':');
    Serial.print(future.minute(), DEC);
    Serial.print(':');
    Serial.print(future.second(), DEC);
    Serial.println();

    Serial.print("Temperature: ");
    Serial.print(rtc.getTemperature());
    Serial.println(" C");

    Serial.println();
    delay(3000);
}

After flashing the ESP-32 I could see the ESP-32 was sending back data from the Microcontroller.

Adding the QUAD Alphanumeric Feather Wing Display to the Arduino IDE

The Alpha-Numeric display is a more complex so time to read some documentation.

I can download the library to drive this display here: https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_LED_Backpack/archive/master.zip

I downloaded the library.

Snip “Rename the uncompressed folder Adafruit_LEDBackpack. Check that the Adafruit_LEDBackpack folder contains Adafruit_LEDBackpack.cpp and Adafruit_LEDBackpack.h Place the Adafruit_LEDBackpack library folder your arduinosketchfolder/libraries/ folder.”

Library Manager: https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-all-about-arduino-libraries-install-use/library-manager

Testing the QUAD Alphanumeric Feather Wing Display to the ESP32

In the Arduino IDE click the File menu then Examples then Adafruit LED Backpack Library then quadalphanum

I connected the Alpha Numeric Display to the EPS-32 and uploaded the sketch.

Code

// Demo the quad alphanumeric display LED backpack kit
// scrolls through every character, then scrolls Serial
// input onto the display

#include <Wire.h>
#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
#include "Adafruit_LEDBackpack.h"

Adafruit_AlphaNum4 alpha4 = Adafruit_AlphaNum4();

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  
  alpha4.begin(0x70);  // pass in the address

  alpha4.writeDigitRaw(3, 0x0);
  alpha4.writeDigitRaw(0, 0xFFFF);
  alpha4.writeDisplay();
  delay(200);
  alpha4.writeDigitRaw(0, 0x0);
  alpha4.writeDigitRaw(1, 0xFFFF);
  alpha4.writeDisplay();
  delay(200);
  alpha4.writeDigitRaw(1, 0x0);
  alpha4.writeDigitRaw(2, 0xFFFF);
  alpha4.writeDisplay();
  delay(200);
  alpha4.writeDigitRaw(2, 0x0);
  alpha4.writeDigitRaw(3, 0xFFFF);
  alpha4.writeDisplay();
  delay(200);
  
  alpha4.clear();
  alpha4.writeDisplay();

  // display every character, 
  for (uint8_t i='!'; i<='z'; i++) {
    alpha4.writeDigitAscii(0, i);
    alpha4.writeDigitAscii(1, i+1);
    alpha4.writeDigitAscii(2, i+2);
    alpha4.writeDigitAscii(3, i+3);
    alpha4.writeDisplay();
    
    delay(300);
  }
  Serial.println("Start typing to display!");
}


char displaybuffer[4] = {' ', ' ', ' ', ' '};

void loop() {
  while (! Serial.available()) return;
  
  char c = Serial.read();
  if (! isprint(c)) return; // only printable!
  
  // scroll down display
  displaybuffer[0] = displaybuffer[1];
  displaybuffer[1] = displaybuffer[2];
  displaybuffer[2] = displaybuffer[3];
  displaybuffer[3] = c;
 
  // set every digit to the buffer
  alpha4.writeDigitAscii(0, displaybuffer[0]);
  alpha4.writeDigitAscii(1, displaybuffer[1]);
  alpha4.writeDigitAscii(2, displaybuffer[2]);
  alpha4.writeDigitAscii(3, displaybuffer[3]);
 
  // write it out!
  alpha4.writeDisplay();
  delay(200);
}

It worked

Combining the Blink + Clock+ Alphanumeric Display into Ome Sketch

Now I can combine all sketches into one and have the Alpha Numeric display the time

Code

// Simon Fearby - 10th Sep 2020


// Alpha Numeric Screen Setup
#include <Wire.h>
#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
#include "Adafruit_LEDBackpack.h"
Adafruit_AlphaNum4 greenScreen = Adafruit_AlphaNum4();

//RTC Setup
#include "RTClib.h"
RTC_DS3231 rtc;
char daysOfTheWeek[7][12] = {"Sunday", "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday", "Saturday"};


void setup() {
  //Serial.begin(9600);
  Serial.begin(57600);

  //Alpha Num Setup
  greenScreen.begin(0x70);  // pass in the address
  //15 is Highest Brightness
  //0 is Lowest  Brightness
  greenScreen.setBrightness(7);
  
  greenScreen.clear();

  //RTC Setup
  #ifndef ESP8266
    while (!Serial); // wait for serial port to connect. Needed for native USB
  #endif
  if (! rtc.begin()) {
    Serial.println("Couldn't find RTC");
    Serial.flush();
    abort();
  }
  if (rtc.lostPower()) {
    Serial.println("RTC lost power, let's set the time!");
    // When time needs to be set on a new device, or after a power loss, the
    // following line sets the RTC to the date & time this sketch was compiled
    rtc.adjust(DateTime(F(__DATE__), F(__TIME__)));
    // This line sets the RTC with an explicit date & time, for example to set
    // January 21, 2014 at 3am you would call:
    // rtc.adjust(DateTime(2014, 1, 21, 3, 0, 0));
  }
  // When time needs to be re-set on a previously configured device, the
  // following line sets the RTC to the date & time this sketch was compiled
  // rtc.adjust(DateTime(F(__DATE__), F(__TIME__)));
  // This line sets the RTC with an explicit date & time, for example to set
  // January 21, 2014 at 3am you would call:
  // rtc.adjust(DateTime(2014, 1, 21, 3, 0, 0));

  
  // Blink Setup
  pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  //Led
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH);   // turn the LED on (HIGH is the voltage level)
  delay(100);                       // wait for a second
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW);    // turn the LED off by making the voltage LOW
  delay(100);                       // wait for a second

  //RTC
    DateTime now = rtc.now();
    Serial.print(now.day(), DEC);
    Serial.print('/');
    Serial.print(now.month(), DEC);
    Serial.print('/');
    Serial.print(now.year(), DEC);
    Serial.print(' ');
    Serial.print(now.hour(), DEC);
    Serial.print(':');
    Serial.print(now.minute(), DEC);
    Serial.print(':');
    Serial.print(now.second(), DEC);
    Serial.print(" (");
    Serial.print(daysOfTheWeek[now.dayOfTheWeek()]);
    Serial.print(") ");
    Serial.println();
    /*
    Serial.print(" since midnight 1/1/1970 = ");
    Serial.print(now.unixtime());
    Serial.print("s = ");
    Serial.print(now.unixtime() / 86400L);
    Serial.println("d");
    // calculate a date which is 7 days and 30 seconds into the future
    DateTime future (now + TimeSpan(7,12,30,6));
    Serial.print(" now + 7d + 30s: ");
    Serial.print(future.year(), DEC);
    Serial.print('/');
    Serial.print(future.month(), DEC);
    Serial.print('/');
    Serial.print(future.day(), DEC);
    Serial.print(' ');
    Serial.print(future.hour(), DEC);
    Serial.print(':');
    Serial.print(future.minute(), DEC);
    Serial.print(':');
    Serial.print(future.second(), DEC);
    Serial.println();
    */

  //Default display
  greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '0');
  greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '0');
  greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '0');
  greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '0');

  
//Hour
  switch (now.hour()) {
    case 0:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '1');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '2');
      break;
    case 1:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '0');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '1');
      break;
    case 2:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '0');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '2');
      break;
    case 3:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '0');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '3');
      break;
    case 4:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '0');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '4');
      break;
    case 5:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '0');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '5');
      break;
    case 6:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '0');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '6');
      break;
    case 7:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '0');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '7');
      break;
    case 8:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '0');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '8');
      break;
    case 9:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '0');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '9');
      break;
    case 10:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '1');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '0');
      break;
    case 11:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '1');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '1');
      break;
     case 12:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '1');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '2');
      break;
    case 13:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '1');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '3');
      break;
    case 14:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '1');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '4');
      break;
    case 15:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '1');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '5');
      break;
    case 16:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '1');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '6');
      break;
    case 17:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '1');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '7');
      break;
    case 18:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '1');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '8');
      break;
    case 19:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '1');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '9');
      break;
    case 20:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '2');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '0');
      break;
    case 21:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '2');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '1');
      break;
    case 22:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '2');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '2');
      break;
    case 23:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '2');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '3');
      break;
   case 24:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '2');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '4');
      break;
   default:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(0, '0');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(1, '0');
     break;
  }


  //Minute
  switch (now.minute()) {
    case 0:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '0');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '0');
      break;
    case 1:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '0');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '1');
      break;
    case 2:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '0');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '2');
      break;
    case 3:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '0');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '3');
      break;
    case 4:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '0');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '4');
      break;
    case 5:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '0');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '5');
      break;
    case 6:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '0');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '6');
      break;
    case 7:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '0');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '7');
      break;
    case 8:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '0');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '8');
      break;
    case 9:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '0');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '9');
      break;
    case 10:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '1');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '0');
      break;
    case 11:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '1');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '1');
      break;
     case 12:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '1');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '2');
      break;
    case 13:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '1');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '3');
      break;
    case 14:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '1');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '4');
      break;
    case 15:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '1');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '5');
      break;
    case 16:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '1');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '6');
      break;
    case 17:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '1');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '7');
      break;
    case 18:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '1');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '8');
      break;
    case 19:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '1');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '9');
      break;
    case 20:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '2');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '0');
      break;
    case 21:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '2');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '1');
      break;
    case 22:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '2');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '2');
      break;
    case 23:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '2');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '3');
      break;
     case 24:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '2');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '4');
      break;
    case 25:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '2');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '5');
      break;
    case 26:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '2');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '6');
      break;
    case 27:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '2');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '7');
      break;
    case 28:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '2');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '8');
      break;
    case 29:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '2');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '9');
      break;
    case 30:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '3');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '0');
      break;
    case 31:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '3');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '1');
      break;
    case 32:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '3');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '2');
      break;
    case 33:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '3');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '3');
      break;
    case 34:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '3');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '4');
      break;
    case 35:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '3');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '5');
      break;
    case 36:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '3');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '6');
      break;
    case 37:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '3');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '7');
      break;
    case 38:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '3');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '8');
      break;
    case 39:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '3');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '9');
      break;
    case 40:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '4');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '0');
      break;
    case 41:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '4');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '1');
      break;
    case 42:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '4');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '2');
      break;
    case 43:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '4');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '3');
      break;
    case 44:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '4');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '4');
      break;
    case 45:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '4');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '5');
      break;
    case 46:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '4');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '6');
      break;
    case 47:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '4');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '7');
      break;
    case 48:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '4');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '8');
      break;
    case 49:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '4');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '9');
      break;
    case 50:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '5');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '0');
      break;
    case 51:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '5');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '1');
      break;
    case 52:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '5');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '2');
      break;
    case 53:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '5');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '2');
      break;
    case 54:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '5');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '4');
      break;
    case 55:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '5');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '5');
      break;
    case 56:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '5');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '6');
      break;
    case 57:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '5');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '7');
      break;
    case 58:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '5');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '8');
      break;
    case 59:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '5');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '9');
      break;

   default:
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(2, '0');
      greenScreen.writeDigitAscii(3, '0');
     break;
  }


  greenScreen.writeDisplay();
    
    //Serial.print("Temperature: ");
    //Serial.print(rtc.getTemperature());
    //Serial.println(" C");
    //Serial.println();

  delay(800);
}

Video

Triggering a Solenoid Every Hour and making a sound

I have created a test circuit to test the MOSFET (first with a 12V motor then a solenoid), I am using the Fritzing program to create the circuit.

Apologies the 12V power source is shown as AA- batteries this is because I can’t find the right Fritzinbg part to indicate a DC power

Here is the Arduino IDE code to drive the motor

int led = 13;       //Define the onboard LED
 PIN
int mosfet = 5;     //Define the MOSFET Trigger
 PIN

void setup() {
  pinMode(led, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(mosfet, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  
  //Turn ON the LED
  digitalWrite(led, HIGH);
  //Turn ON the MOSFET
  digitalWrite(mosfet, HIGH);
  //Wait half 3 seconds
  delay(3000);

  //Turn OFF the LED
  digitalWrite(led, LOW);
  //Turn OFF the MOSFET
  digitalWrite(mosfet, LOW);
  //Wait 3 Seconds
  delay(3000);

  //Loop
}

Here is a video of this circuit working

I will eventually move this over to my in progress ESP-32 Micro Controller.

When I move to the Solenoid (12v 8 A) I will need to turn on the Solenoid for mo more than a second

  //Turn ON the MOSFET
  digitalWrite(mosfet, HIGH);

 //Wait a half a seconds
  delay(500);

Power Usage

Power usage is low and Micro Controller, Clock and Display only used 0.048A, there is still room to make this microcontroller use less power.

My Wireless Completer Headphones Dongle I use on my PC uses 0.07A

Safety Features

Safety features are in progress.

Fuse for power protection
Multiple Thermistor’s to sense the temperature of the Solenoid
Heatsink for the MOSFET
etc TBA

Where I purchased Parts from in Australia

This is not a plug of affiliate links.

How to code PHP on your localhost and deploy to the cloud via SFTP with PHPStorm by Jet Brains

March 31, 2019 by Simon

This is a quick guide that will show you how you can connect to a cloud server via SFTP with the PHPStorm IDE from Jet Brians and deploy files from your localhost to the cloud. This is my opinion, I am not paid to promote PHPStorm or UpCloud.

Pre-Requisites/Assumptions

This guide will assume you already have (or know how to)..

Buy a domain name and point it’s DNS to a server (I use Namecheap.com for buying domains)
Buy and deploy a server in the cloud. I have used AWS, Digital Ocean, Vultr but now use UpCloud for deploying fast self-managed servers. Read this guide here to see how I create a server from scratch on Up Cloud.
Setup SSH access to your server and configure a firewall.
You have or know how to set up PHP and Web Servers and configure them on your localhost and remote server (guides here, here, here, here, here and here).
etc ( check out all my guides here https://fearby.com/all )

I am using Windows 10 Home (with IIS Web Server (document root redirected to S:\Code\) and a pre built Ubuntu Cloud servers.

Why no FTP? I do not create FTP servers on my serves to increase security and I only access servers via SSH via white-listed IP’s and then authenticate with hardware 2FA keys from YubiCo (read me 2FA guide here and also how to secure *nix servers and WordPress with 2FA).

Background

2 years ago I used to use the Cloud 9 IDE to connect to, and code files on cloud servers and life was good. I could configure and connect to servers, drag and drop files, run bash scripts from a web page and close the Cloud 9 browsers tabs, travel hundreds of kilometres and log back into C9 and all code and bash scripts would reappear.

Here is the Cloud 9 IDE showing code on the left and a Browser on the right.

C9.IDE showing code on the left and web page on the right

With Cloud 9 code could be easily accessed, edited and run.

See screenshot of code running from a Cloud 9 hosted server with properties windows on the right.

C9 IDE showing a bash terminal windows and code

Regrettably, I cancelled my $9/m subscription to Cloud 9 after a minor stroke and since then I have gone back to a terminal screen to code and transfer files. In the last 2 years.

Screenshot of the putty program connected to a Ubuntu box editing a file with nano

Uploading and downloading files on mass is painful via pure SSH.

AWS has since purchased Cloud 9 and I am not sure if it will ditch support of non-AWS servers in the future. AWS is good but servers are very expensive for what you get IMHO. I have found Disk IO on UpCloud is awesome (also UpCloud support is great (I am not paid to say that)).

PHPStorm IDE?

A quick Google of IDE’s like Cloud 9 mentioned PHPStorm from Jet Brains. I have used IntelliJ IDEA from Jet Brains before and PHPStorm seems to be very popular.

Go to
https://www.jetbrains.com/phpstorm/ and see the features of PHPStorm

Watch PHPStorm in action

Whats new in PHPStorm 2019.1

Install PHPStorm

Visit https://www.jetbrains.com/phpstorm/download/ and download and install PHPStorm (free trial 30 days)

System requirements

Microsoft 10/8/7/Vista/2003/XP (incl. 64-bit)
2 GB RAM minimum
4 GB RAM recommended
1024×768 minimum screen resolution

Pricing

PHPStorm is $8.90/m for individual use (or $19.90/m commercial). For the first 12 months of uninterrupted subscription payments qualify you for receiving a perpetual fallback license (20% discount for an uninterrupted subscription for a 2nd year, 40% discount for an uninterrupted subscription for 3rd year onwards).

PHPStorm work on Windows, OSX or Linux. This great an I use Windows locally and Linux remotely but I’m keen to use Linux locally to match local and remote dev environments.

Official PHPStorm Pricing Page:
https://www.jetbrains.com/phpstorm/buy/#edition=commercial

fyi: Jet Brains has free licencing for individual use for Students and faculty members.

Creating a Project

Open PHPStorm and select “Create New Project”.

Choose a project type on the left (e.g “PHP Empty Project“) and choose a location to save too (I chose “S:\code\php001) on my local machine. I chose “S:\code\php001” on my local machine.

New Project screenshot asking for a name and save location

Choose a folder to save to.

Choose a project and location to save to locally

Click “OK” to create the project.

PHPStorm will have created a project for you. You will notice a “.idea“folder under the location you saved with these files.

misc.xml
modules.xml
php001.xml
wordspace.xml

Do not delete these files.

Creating your first PHP file

You can right click on the project root and select New then PHP File

Right click on the root in the tree view then new PHP File

Or clicking the File then New menu choosing PHP File.

Name the file (e.g index.php)

The file has been created and its available in my localhost web server.

Screenshot showing PHPStorm with index.php, S:\Code showing index.php and http://localhpst/php001/index.php loading

Creating a Deploy Target

Now we need to specify a deploy target in PHPStorm to push the file changes to the cloud. Backup your server (yes backup your server just in case).

Open your PHPStorm project and click Tools, Deployment and then Configuration.

Click the plus icon near the top left and choose SFTP

Screenshot showing add new deployment server (SFTP)

Name the deployment target (e.g “server (project)”)

Screenshot of an input box showing a server name

Enter your “server name” or IP and port
Enter your “ssh username” (ensure the SSH user had write access to the wwwroot folder and the web server can read the files written by this user)
Under password I chose “Key pair OpenSSH or Putty (as I had SSH details already setup in Putty details
You can add your ppk private key from Putty (use the puttygen program to conbvert ssh public and private kets to ppk format)
If you have a passphrase on your SSH key add it now
Enter your web servers remote path (for the project)
Enter your web server URL

Screenshot showing a server name, port, username, password, ssh file passphrase, root path and web server url.

I did SSH to my remote server and created the destination folder. This will ensure I can deploy code here (PHPStorm does not create the remote path fpor you ).

mkdir /wwwroot/php001
chown -R www-data:www-data /wwwroot/php001/

Click Test Connection

No we need to click the Mappings tab and add a mapping.

Local path is your local path
Deployment path is / (the web root path is carried forward from the previous tab)
Web path is the web path that is entered in the browser

Screenshot showing a manual file mapping of local and remote file locations

Click Add New Mapping. Now we are ready to deploy

Deploying code to the cloud

I right clicked on the root note in PHPStorm and created an index.php file.

I edited the index.php on my local machine and then click the Tools then Deployment and choose “Upload to fearby.com (php001)” menu.

Manual upload available in Tools menu then Deployment menu

The File Transfer output window showed the transfer progress.

Screenshot showing the file transfer window output saying the file uploaded.

I loaded https://fearby.com/php001/index.php in Google chrome. It worked.

Screenshot showing https://fearby.com/php001/index.php loaded in a bowser

Don’t forget to turn off Automatic uploads under Tools, Deployment menu.

'Screenshot showing Automatic updated turned on

Now when I create new files or change existing files they will auto upload.

Sourc Control

I will add this soon.

Shell Command

You can also open an SSH console to the server and run commands

e.g zip files

zip -r backup.zip .

I can also open a folder window in PHPStorm and show all remote files by clicking Tools then Deployment then Show Remote Files, Zip files can be easily downlaoded or other files uploaded. Nice.

Linux Client

I will review the Linux PHPStorm client soon.

Troubleshooting

Watch the Official guide on Deployment and Remote Hosts in PhpStorm – PhpStorm Video Tutorial

Good Luck. I hope this guide helps someone.

Version

1.2 Removed advertisements

1.1 Minor Updates

1.0 Initial Version

Setup two factor authenticator protection at login on Ubuntu or Debian

October 14, 2018 by Simon

This is a quick post that shows how I set up two-factor authenticator protection at login on Ubuntu or Debian

Aside

If you have not read my previous posts I have now moved my blog to the awesome UpCloud host (signup using this link to get $25 free UpCloud VM credit). I compared Digital Ocean, Vultr and UpCloud Disk IO here and UpCloud came out on top by a long way (read the blog post here). Here is my blog post on moving from Vultr to UpCloud.

Buy a domain name here

Now on with the post.

Backup

I ensured I had a backup of my server. This is easy to do on UpCloud. If something goes wrong I will rollback.

Why Setup 2FA on SSH connections

1) Firewalls or whitelists may not protect you from detection.

2) SSH authorisation bypass bugs may appear.

I’ve just relased libssh 0.8.4 and 0.7.6 to address CVE-2018-10933. This is an auth bypass in the server. Please update as soon as possible! https://t.co/Qhra2TXqzm

— Andreas Schneider (@cryptomilk) October 16, 2018

2FA authorisation is another lube of defence.

Yubico Yubi Key

Read my block post here to learn how to use the Yubico YubiKey NEO hardware-based two-factor authentication device to improve authentication and logins to OSX and software

Timezone

It is important that you set the same timezone as the server you are trying to secure two 2FA. I can run this command on Linux to set the timezone.

On Debian, I set the time using this guide.

dpkg-reconfigure tzdata

Check the time command

> timedatectl
> Local time: Tue 2019-06-25 16:45:20 UTC
> Universal time: Tue 2019-06-25 16:45:20 UTC
> RTC time: Wed 2019-06-26 02:37:44
> Time zone: Etc/UTC (UTC, +0000)
> Network time on: yes
> NTP synchronized: yes
> RTC in local TZ: no

sudo hwclock --show

I set the timezone

> sudo timedatectl set-timezone Australia/Sydney

I confirmed the timezone

> timedatectl
> Local time: Wed 2019-06-26 02:47:42 AEST
> Universal time: Tue 2019-06-25 16:47:42 UTC
> RTC time: Wed 2019-06-26 02:40:06
> Time zone: Australia/Sydney (AEST, +1000)
> Network time on: yes
> NTP synchronized: yes
> RTC in local TZ: no

I installed a npt time server

I followed this guide to install an NTP time server (failed at: ntpdate linuxconfig.ntp) and this guide to manually sync

I installed the Google Authenticator app

sudo apt install libpam-google-authenticator

sudo apt-get install libpam-google-authenticator

Configure Google Authenticator

Run google-authenticator and answer the following questions

Q1) Do you want authentication tokens to be time-based (y/n): Y

You will be presented with a token you can add to the Yubico Authenticator or other authenticator apps,

TIP: Write down any recovery codes displayed

Scan the code with your 2FA Authenticator app (e.g Google Authenticator, Yubico Authenticator or freeOTP from https://freeotp.github.io)

The 2FA code is now available for use in my YubiCo Authenticator app

Q2) Do you want me to update your “/root/.google_authenticator” file? (y/n): Y

Q3) Do you want to disallow multiple uses of the same authentication
token? This restricts you to one login about every 30s, but it increases
your chances to notice or even prevent man-in-the-middle attacks (y/n): Y

Q4) By default, a new token is generated every 30 seconds by the mobile app.
In order to compensate for possible time-skew between the client and the server,
we allow an extra token before and after the current time. This allows for a
time skew of up to 30 seconds between the authentication server and client. If you
experience problems with poor time synchronization, you can increase the window
from its default size of 3 permitted codes (one previous code, the current
code, the next code) to 17 permitted codes (the 8 previous codes, the current
code, and the 8 next codes). This will permit for a time skew of up to 4 minutes
between client and server.
Do you want to do so? (y/n) y: Y

Q5) If the computer that you are logging into isn’t hardened against brute-force login attempts, you can enable rate-limiting for the authentication module. By default, this limits attackers to no more than 3 login attempts every 30s.
Do you want to enable rate-limiting? (y/n): Y

Review Google Authenticator Config

sudo nano ~/.google_authenticator

You can change this if need be.

sudo nano ~/.google_authenticator

Edit SSH Configuration (Authentication)

sudo nano /etc/pam.d/sshd

Add the line below the line “@include common-auth”

auth required pam_google_authenticator.so

Comment out the following line (this is the most important step, this forces 2FA)

#@include common-auth

Edit SSH Configuration (Challenge Response Authentication)

Edit the ssh config file.

sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Search For

ChallengeResponseAuthentication

Set this to

yes

Ensure the following line exists

UsePAM yes

Add the following line

AuthenticationMethods publickey,password publickey,keyboard-interactive

Edit Common Auth

sudo nano /etc/pam.d/common-auth

Add the following line before the line that says “auth [success=1 default=ignore] pam_unix.so nullok_secure”

auth required pam_google_authenticator.so

Restart the SSH service and test the codes in a new terminal before rebooting.

TIP: Do not exit the working connected session and you may need it to fix issues.

Restart the SSH service a tets it

/etc/init.d/ssh restart
[ ok ] Restarting ssh (via systemctl): ssh.service.

If you have failed to set it up authenticator codes will fail to work.

Failed attempts

Further authentication required
Using keyboard-interactive authentication.
Verification code:
Using keyboard-interactive authentication.
Verification code:
Using keyboard-interactive authentication.
Verification code:

When it is configured OK (at login SSH connection) I was prompted for further information

Further Information required
Using keyboard-interactive authentication
Verification Code: ######
[email protected]#

I am now prompted at login to insert a 2FA token (after inserting my YubiKey)

Turn on 2FA on other sites

Check out https://www.turnon2fa.com and tutorials here.

I hope this guide helps someone.

Please consider using my referral code and get $25 UpCloud VM credit if you need to create a server online.

https://www.upcloud.com/register/?promo=D84793

Ask a question or recommend an article

[contact-form-7 id=”30″ title=”Ask a Question”]

Revision History

V1.4 June 2019: Works on Debian 9.9

V1.3 turnon2fa.com

V1.2 ssh auth bypass

v1.1 Authenticator apps

v1.0 Initial Post

Useful Java FX Code I use in a project using IntelliJ IDEA and jdk1.8.0_161.jdk

September 15, 2018 by Simon

This is some useful Java FX Code I use in a project using IntelliJ IDEA and jdk1.8.0_161.jdk. I am sharing this code here for the #100DaysOfCode readers and people looking for code answers.

Aside

If you have not read my previous posts I have now moved my blog to the awesome UpCloud host (signup using this link to get $25 free UpCloud VM credit). I compared Digital Ocean, Vultr and UpCloud Disk IO here and UpCloud came out on top by a long way (read the blog post here). Here is my blog post on moving from Vultr to UpCloud.

Buy a domain name here

As promised, Java code.

Background

I am developing a Java (Windows/Mac/Linux) JavaFX app to assist me (and others) click their way through a Server deployment (domain name purchase, email setup, DNS etc) to the configuration (server host, operating, web server, database etc) to securing (DNSSEC, SPF, DMARC, Firewall etc).

I want to automate much of what I have learned over the last 2 years building apps and services (see all blog DevSecOps posts here: https://fearby.com/all/ ) on a self-managed Linux stack. I love the lower cost, higher security and flexibility of deploying self-managed servers on Linux (I love UpCloud) but not the command line interactions (that’s why I am learning Java, I do not want to develop another web-based GUI as I find them less secure than a good SSH connection). I have been developing on Windows since 1999.

Now show me Jave code.

Save date-time variables in Controller Initialize event to use in Logging

I like to log console events to a filename that is the date-time an app was started. Add this to “public class Controller implements Initializable”

public Date todaysDateTime = new Date();
DateFormat datetimeFileNameCompatible = new SimpleDateFormat("dd-MMM-yyyy HH-mm-ss.S");
public String strLogFileTimeFilename = "zAPPDISCO - " + datetimeFileNameCompatible.format(todaysDateTime);

Now the log filename can be used below in a log function (DoLog).

Read Ini File

Download http://ini4j.sourceforge.net/ (binary files) and add ini4j-0.5.4.jar to your source folder (or use Maven etc to download the package)

Import the ini4j class to your Controller.

import org.ini4j.Ini;

Sample appname.ini file

# Ini file comment goes here

[config]
forceoffline = false
log = true

[settings]
checkipatstartup = true
checkinternetconnectionatstartup = true

[app]
name=blah blah app name
app_major = 1
appminor = 0
apprevision = 18

[mainwindow]
mainwidth = 1619.0
mainheight = 1119.0
mainleft = 147.0
maintop = 44.0

[settingswindow]
settingswidth = 1286.0
settingsheight = 1010.0
settingsleft = 9.0
settingstop = 153.0

Load an Ini file

objIni = new Ini();
System.out.println("  - Opening app.ini" );
try {
    objIni.load( new FileReader("src/appname/appname.ini"));
    System.out.println("   - Loaded INI (OK)" );

} catch (IOException ex) {
    System.out.println("   - Error Loading appname.ini ( " + ex.toString() + ")");

}

Now we are ready to load values from the loaded Ini file.

Load a Boolean from Ini file

I like to set if an app can talk to the net (by checking an Ini file to see if a user does not want online activity).

private Boolean FORCE_OFFLINE = false;
FORCE_OFFLINE = objIni.get("config","forceoffline",boolean.class);

Load String from an Ini File

System.out.println (" - App Name: " + objIni.get("app","name"));

Global Variables Class

package appname;

public class GlobalVariables {

    public int APP_MAJOR = 0;
    public int APP_MINOR = 0;
    public int APP_REVISION = 18;

    //etc
}

Copy the global variables class in a new controller, add the following code to your new controller’s “public class Controller implements Initializable” function

GlobalVariables global = new GlobalVariables();

Read the constants in the global variable class (copy)

DoLog("Started App Disco (v" + global.APP_MAJOR + "." + global.APP_MINOR  + "." + global.APP_REVISION + ") - https://fearby.com");

Log function that writes to the stdout console and physical log file if desired (set in the ini file)

private void DoLog(String logThis) { 
    // Log to std out
    System.out.println(logThis); 

    // Write to log file
    try{
    	// Declare a new Ini object
        objIni = new Ini();

        System.out.println("  - Opening appname.ini" );
        try {
            objIni.load( new FileReader("src/appname/appname.ini"));
            System.out.println("   - Loaded INI (OK)" );
        } catch (IOException ex) {
        	// Error
            System.out.println("   - Error Reading from appname.ini ( " + ex.toString() + ")");
        }

        // Check the ini file and see if the user wants to out output a log file.
        System.out.println("    - Reading [config] section in Ini file" );

        Boolean DO_LOG;
        DO_LOG = objIni.get("config","log",boolean.class);
        System.out.println("     - DO_LOG = " + DO_LOG.toString() );

        // Does the use want the console to be logged to a date stamped file too?
        if (DO_LOG == true) {
            
            // Append To File
            FileWriter fstream = new FileWriter( strLogFileTimeFilename.toString() + ".log", true);
            BufferedWriter out = new BufferedWriter(fstream);

            // Get Latest Time to prefix to the log entry
            Date todaysDateTimeLog = new Date();
            DateFormat datetimeHumanReadableFormat = new SimpleDateFormat("dd/MM/yyyy HH:mm:ss");
            String strLogFileTimeHuman = datetimeHumanReadableFormat.format(todaysDateTimeLog);

            // Log Desired Line
            String strLogThisTS = strLogFileTimeHuman.toString() + " = " +  logThis;
            out.write(strLogThisTS + "\n");

            //Close the output stream
            out.close();

        } else {
            //System.out.println("      - Skipping logging as set in the ini file.." );
        }


    } catch (Exception e){
    	//Catch exception if any
        // todo: Need to write to System.out.printl to prevent loop
        System.out.println ("Error: " + e.getMessage());  
        
    }
}

Get Contents from URL

private static String getContentsFromURL(String theUrl)
{
    StringBuilder content = new StringBuilder();

    try
    {
        // create a url object
        URL url = new URL(theUrl);

        //todo: Add Newwor check code
        
        URLConnection urlConnection = url.openConnection();
        BufferedReader bufferedReader = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(urlConnection.getInputStream()));

        String line;

        while ((line = bufferedReader.readLine()) != null)
        {
            content.append(line + "\n");
        }
        bufferedReader.close();
    }
    catch(Exception e) {
        e.printStackTrace();
    }

    return content.toString();
}

Test the internet connection by downloading the contents of a URL

String isup = getContentsFromURL("https://audit.fearby.com/isup/");
System.out.println( "Is UP: " + isup.trim().toUpperCase().toString());

Get the IPV4 address of the calling client

String isup = getContentsFromURL("https://audit.fearby.com/ip/");
System.out.println( "Is UP: " + isup.trim().toUpperCase().toString());

The IP page contains

<?php
echo htmlspecialchars($_SERVER['REMOTE_ADDR'], ENT_QUOTES, 'UTF-8');
?>

SSH to a server and run a command

This is handy for connecting to a server via SSH (and using an SSH passphrase, not a system username password). This is using the Jsch library from http://www.jcraft.com/jsch/

try {
    JSch jsch = new JSch();

    String user = "sshusername";
    DoLog("User: " + user);

    String host = "yourserver.com";
    DoLog("Host: " + host);

    int port = 22;
    DoLog("Port: " + port);

    String privateKey = System.getProperty("user.dir") + "/" +  "yourserver.rsa";
    DoLog("Private Key: " + System.getProperty("user.dir") + "/" +  "yourserver.rsa");

    String sshPassPhrase = "@dd-y0ur-really-str0ng-ssh-pa$word-h3r3";

    DoLog("Adding ssh key passphrase to session");
    jsch.addIdentity(privateKey, sshPassPhrase);
    DoLog("Private Key added to ssh session");

    Session session = jsch.getSession(user, host, port);
    DoLog("Session Created");

    java.util.Properties config = new java.util.Properties();
// see http://stackoverflow.com/questions/30178936/jsch-sftp-security-with-session-setconfigstricthostkeychecking-no

    DoLog("SSH Config: StrictHostKeyChecking: no");
    config.put("StrictHostKeyChecking", "no");
    session.setConfig(config);

    DoLog("Connecting");
    session.connect();

    DoLog("Preparing Remote Command");
    String command = "uptime";

    Channel channel = session.openChannel("exec");
    ((ChannelExec)channel).setCommand(command);
    channel.setInputStream(null);
    ((ChannelExec)channel).setErrStream(System.err);

    InputStream input = channel.getInputStream();
    channel.connect();

    try {
        InputStreamReader inputReader = new InputStreamReader(input);
        BufferedReader bufferedReader = new BufferedReader(inputReader);
        String line = null;
        while((line = bufferedReader.readLine()) != null){
            System.out.println(line);
        }
        bufferedReader.close();

        inputReader.close(); }
    catch (IOException ex) {
        ex.printStackTrace();
    }
    channel.disconnect();

    session.disconnect();
    DoLog("SSH session disconnected.....");


} catch (Exception e) {
    System.err.println(e);
}

Output:

16:32:06 up 7 days, 14:59, 1 user, load average: 0.08, 0.02, 0.01

Using OWASP ZAP GUI to scan your Applications for security issues

March 17, 2018 by Simon

OWASP is a non-profit that lists the Top Ten Most Critical Web Application Security Risks, they also have a GUI Java tool called OWASP Zap that you can use to check your apps for security issue.

I have a number of guides on moving hosting away form CPanel , Setting up VM’s on AWS, Vultr or Digital Ocean along with installing and managing WordPress from the command line. It is important that you always update your site and software and test your sites and software for vulnerabilities. Zap is free and completely open source.

Disclaimer, I am not an expert (this Zap post and my past Kali Linux guide will be updated as I learn more).

OWASP Top 10

OWASP has a top 10 list of things to review.

Download the OWASP 10 10 Application security risks PDF here form here.

Using the free OWASP Zap Tool

Snip from https://www.owasp.org/index.php/OWASP_Zed_Attack_Proxy_Project

“The OWASP Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP) is one of the world’s most popular free security tools and is actively maintained by hundreds of international volunteers*. It can help you automatically find security vulnerabilities in your web applications while you are developing and testing your applications. It’s also a great tool for experienced pentesters to use for manual security testing.”

Zap Overview

Here is a quick demo of Zap in action.

Do check out the official Zap videos on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/OWASPGLOBAL/videos if you want to learn more.

Installing Zap

Download Zap from here.

Download Options

Download contents

Copy to the app to the OSX Application folder

App Installed

Open OSX’s Privacy and Security screen and click Open Anyway

OWASP Zap is now Installed

Ready for a Scan

But before we do let’s check out the Options

OWASP Zap allows you to label reports to ad from anyone you want.

Now let’s update the program and plugins, Click Manage Add-ons

Click Update All to Update addons

I clicked Update All

Installed some plugins

Zap is Ready

Add a site and right click on the site and you can perform an active scan or port scan.

First Scan (https failed)

I enabled unsafe SSL/TLS Renegotiation.

This did not work and this guide said I needed to install the “Java Cryptography Extension (JCE) Unlimited Strength Jurisdiction Policy Files” from here.

The extract files to /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/%your_jdk%/Contents/Home/jre/lib/security

I restarted OWASP Zap and tried to scan my site buy it appears Cloudflare (that I recently set up) was blocking my scans and reported error 403. I decided to scan another site of mine that was not on Cloudflare but had the same Lets Encrypt style SSL cert.

fyi: I own and set up the site I queried below.

OWASP Zap scan performed over 800 requests and tried traversal exploits and many other checks. Do repair any major failures you find.

Generating a Report

To generate a report click Report then the appropriate generation menu of choice.

FYI: The High Priority Alert is a false positive with an HTML item being mistaken for a CC number.

I hope this guide helps someone. Happy software/server hardening and good luck.

More Reading

Check out my Kali Linux guide.

Ask a question or recommend an article

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Revision History

V1.3 fixed hasting typo.

v1.2 False Positive

v1.1 updated main features

v1.0 Initial post

PHP 7 code to send object oriented sanitised input data via bound parameters to a MYSQL database

November 1, 2017 by Simon

Sanitising user input is a golden rule with web developing (see https://www.owasp.org/index.php/Input_Validation_Cheat_Sheet ), here is my code snippet to sanitise and parameterise MySQL queries in PHP 7.0.

First, watch and follow @jawache (Asim Hussein) demo how common hacks happen and why you should update and patch software often, sanitise user data and set up a firewall.

I have blogged before on how to set up a Vultr server and configure it, How to secure Ubuntu in the Cloud, How to run an Ubuntu System Audit and Beyond SSL with Content Security Policy, Public Key Pinning etc but a 100% secure server is impossible as zero-day exploits and flaws (e.g WPA WiFi) remind us how limited technology lifespans can be. Yes, you can setup firewalls on Ubuntu and WordPress but you are only one exploit away from being hacked. Below is my code snippet (in PHP) to sanitise incoming data, query a MySQL database with object-oriented calls in PHP 7.0 and return data in variables. I have set up a firewall to block access to MySQL and non-essential ports (use https://www.shodan.io/ to test your server’s ports). I was using older deprecated PHP 5 era database calls and I researched newer calls available in PHP 7.0.

When you log in to an Ubuntu server and it says the following you should update

89 packages can be updated.
35 updates are security updates.

Also update software, node, npm etc

This code outputs too much information but will help you setup and get data on your servers (as long as you replace your database, table and field names).

<?php
echo "Last modified: " . date ("F d Y H:i:s.", getlastmod()) . "<br /><br />";
date_default_timezone_set('Australia/Sydney');

$dbhost = '127.0.0.1';
$dbusername = 'themysqlaccount';
$dbpassword = 'themysqlpassword';
$dbname = 'thedatabasename';
$con = mysqli_connect($dbhost, $dbusername, $dbpassword, $dbname);

//Debug stuff
//echo var_dump($con);
//printf(" - Error: %s.\n", $stmt->error);

if($con->connect_errno > 0){
    printf(" - Error: %s.\n", $stmt->error);
    die("Error: Unable to connect to MySQL (E001)");
} else {
 echo "Charset set to utf8<br />";
 mysqli_set_charset($con,"utf8");
}

if (!$con) {
    echo "Error: Unable to connect to MySQL (E002)" . PHP_EOL;
    echo "Debugging errno: " . mysqli_connect_errno() . PHP_EOL;
    echo "Debugging error: " . mysqli_connect_error() . PHP_EOL;
    exit;
} else {
    echo "Database Connection OK<br />";

    echo "&nbsp; Success: A proper connection to MySQL was made! The my_db database is great." . PHP_EOL . "<br />";
    echo "&nbsp; &nbsp;- Host information: " . mysqli_get_host_info($con) . PHP_EOL . "<br />";
    echo "&nbsp; &nbsp;- Server Info: '" . mysqli_get_server_info($con) . "'<br />";
    echo "&nbsp; &nbsp;- Server Protocol Info : ". mysqli_get_proto_info($con) . "<br />";
    echo "&nbsp; &nbsp;- Server Version: " . mysqli_get_server_version($con) . "<br />";
    //echo " - Server Connection Stats: " . print_r(mysqli_get_connection_stats($con)) . "<br />";
    echo "&nbsp; &nbsp;- Client Version: " . mysqli_get_client_version($con) . "<br />";
    echo "&nbsp; &nbsp;- Client Info: '" . mysqli_get_client_info() . "'<br />";

echo "Ready to Query the database '$dbname'.<br />";

// Input Var's that are parameterized/bound into the query statement
// I pre fill three vaiables with known fields in my users table
// Goot article in manual sanitization of strings in PHP http://php.net/manual/en/filter.filters.sanitize.php
    $in_username = mysqli_real_escape_string($con, 'FearTec');
    $in_f_guid = mysqli_real_escape_string($con, '5161a571-4a51-468d-9e96-6a5db5d35b1c');
    $in_mobile = mysqli_real_escape_string($con,'0456629533');

// Output Var's that the query fills after querying the database
// These variables will be filled with data from the current returned row
    $out_id = "";
    $out_f_guid = "";
    $out_username = "";
    $out_mobile = "";

echo "1. About to query the database: '$dbname'<br />";
$stmt = mysqli_stmt_init($con);
if (mysqli_stmt_prepare($stmt,"SELECT id, username, guid, user_mobile FROM thedatabasename WHERE username = ? AND guid = ? AND user_mobile = ?")) {

        echo "2. Query Returned<br />";

        /*
            Type specification chars
            Character   Description
            i   corresponding variable has type integer
            d   corresponding variable has type double
            s   corresponding variable has type string
            b   corresponding variable is a blob and will be sent in packets
        */
        mysqli_stmt_bind_param($stmt, 'sss', $in_username, $in_guid, $in_mobile);

        mysqli_stmt_execute($stmt);

        mysqli_stmt_bind_result($stmt, $out_id, $out_username, $out_guid, $out_mobile);

        mysqli_stmt_fetch($stmt);

        // Do something with the 1st returned row        
        echo " - Row: ID: $out_id, GUID: $out_guid, USR: $out_username, MOB: $out_mobile";//
        // Do we have more rows to process
        while($stmt->fetch()) { 
                // Deal with other rows
                echo " - Row: ID: $out_id, GUID: $out_f_guid, USR: $out_username, MOB: $out_mobile<br />";
        }
        mysqli_stmt_close($stmt);
        
        echo "c<br />";
    }
     else {
        echo "3. Error Querying<br/>";
        printf(" - Error: %s.\n", $stmt->error);
    }

}    

?>

Returned Data

Last modified: November 01 2017 16:43:01.
Charset set to utf8
Database Connection OK
  Success: A proper connection to MySQL was made! The my_db database is great. 
   - Host information: 127.0.0.1 via TCP/IP 
   - Server Info: '5.7.19-0ubuntu0.16.04.1'
   - Server Protocol Info : 10
   - Server Version: 50719
   - Client Version: 50012
   - Client Info: 'mysqlnd 5.0.12-dev - 20150407 - $Id: b5########################

Variable Bind Parameter Types

When you bind an incoming variable you can inform MySQL what the data type is expected to be.

mysqli_stmt_bind_param: Type specification chars
Character   Description
i   corresponding variable has type integer
d   corresponding variable has type double
s   corresponding variable has type string
b   corresponding variable is a blob and will be sent in packets

Debug Options

Errors Enabled: Turn on PHP Debug Errors On

Turning on errors on production servers is bad but on development.

First, find php.ini files

locate php.ini
/php.ini.bak
/.c9/metadata/workspace/etc/php/7.0/fpm/php.ini
/etc/php/7.0/apache2/php.ini
/etc/php/7.0/cli/php.ini
/etc/php/7.0/fpm/php.ini
/etc/php/7.0/phpdbg/php.ini
/usr/lib/php/7.0/php.ini-development
/usr/lib/php/7.0/php.ini-production
/usr/lib/php/7.0/php.ini-production.cli

Edit your appropriate PHP file

sudo nano /etc/php/7.0/fpm/php.ini

And turn on Error reporting.

Restart PHP and NGINX

sudo /etc/init.d/php7.0-fpm restart
sudo /etc/init.d/nginx restart

If you need to view your active php.ini file or see PHP configuration settings, add this to a .php file on your web server and view its contents.

<?php
phpinfo()
?>

It is amazing how clear errors can be

Dump Connection Vars: PHP mysqli_connect: var_dump($con)

echo var_dump($con);

Output:

public 'affected_rows' => int 0
  public 'client_info' => string 'mysqlnd 5.0.12-dev - 20150407 - $Id: b5###############################3

Show Environment Vars: mysqli_get_host_info, mysqli_get_proto_info, mysqli_get_server_version, mysqli_get_client_version and mysqli_get_client_info.

echo "&nbsp; Success: Database connection OK." . PHP_EOL . "<br />";
echo "&nbsp; &nbsp;- Host information: " . mysqli_get_host_info($con) . PHP_EOL . "<br />";
echo "&nbsp; &nbsp;- Server Info: '" . mysqli_get_server_info($con) . "'<br />";
echo "&nbsp; &nbsp;- Server Protocol Info : ". mysqli_get_proto_info($con) . "<br />";
echo "&nbsp; &nbsp;- Server Version: " . mysqli_get_server_version($con) . "<br />";
//echo " - Server Connection Stats: " . print_r(mysqli_get_connection_stats($con)) . "<br />";
echo "&nbsp; &nbsp;- Client Version: " . mysqli_get_client_version($con) . "<br />";
echo "&nbsp; &nbsp;- Client Info: '" . mysqli_get_client_info() . "'<br />";

Output:

Success: Database connection OK. 
   - Host information: 127.0.0.1 via TCP/IP 
   - Server Info: '5.7.19-0ubuntu0.16.04.1'
   - Server Protocol Info : 10
   - Server Version: 50719
   - Client Version: 50012
   - Client Info: 'mysqlnd 5.0.12-dev - 20150407 - $Id: b5########################################

Show errors in failed if statements: mysqli_stmt_prepare else

printf(" - Error: %s.\n", $stmt->error);

Output:

Error: Table 'thedatabasename.invalidtablename' doesn't exist.

Debugging is your friend.

More to come..

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V 1.0 initial post

Short (Article):

Ready to Query the database 'thedatabasename'. 1. About to query the database: 'thedatabasename' 2. Query Returned - Row: ID: 1, GUID: 0000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001, USR: Bob, MOB: 1234567890 - Row: ID: 2, GUID: 0000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000002, USR: Joe, MOB: 1234567891 - Row: ID: 3, GUID: 0000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000003, USR: Jane, MOB: 1234567892

Variable Bind Parameter Types

When you bind an incoming variable you can inform MySQL what the data type is expected to be.

Debug Options

Errors Enabled: Turn on PHP Debug Errors On

Turning on errors on production servers is bad but on on development.

First, find php.ini files

Edit your appropriate PHP file

And turn on Error reporting.

Restart PHP and NGINX

If you need to view your active php.ini file or see php configuration settings, add this to a .php file on your web server and view it’s contents.

It is amazing how clear errors can be

Dump Connection Vars: PHP mysqli_connect: var_dump($con)

Output:

Show Environment Vars: mysqli_get_host_info, mysqli_get_proto_info, mysqli_get_server_version, mysqli_get_client_version and mysqli_get_client_info.

Output:

Show errors in failed if statements: mysqli_stmt_prepare else

Output:

Debugging is your friend.

More to come..

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Ask a question or recommend an article
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V 1.0 initial post

Short (Article):

(length=79) public 'client_version' => int 50012 public 'connect_errno' => int 0 public 'connect_error' => null public 'errno' => int 0 public 'error' => string '' (length=0) public 'error_list' => array (size=0) empty public 'field_count' => int 0 public 'host_info' => string '127.0.0.1 via TCP/IP' (length=20) public 'info' => null public 'insert_id' => int 0 public 'server_info' => string '5.7.19-0ubuntu0.16.04.1' (length=23) public 'server_version' => int 50719 public 'stat' => string 'Uptime: 1828089 Threads: 1 Questions: 15702 Slow queries: 0 Opens: 1529 Flush tables: 1 Open tables: 1461 Queries per second avg: 0.008' (length=142) public 'sqlstate' => string '00000' (length=5) public 'protocol_version' => int 10 public 'thread_id' => int 7367 public 'warning_count' => int 0

Show Environment Vars: mysqli_get_host_info, mysqli_get_proto_info, mysqli_get_server_version, mysqli_get_client_version and mysqli_get_client_info.

Output:

Show errors in failed if statements: mysqli_stmt_prepare else

Output:

Debugging is your friend.

More to come..

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Ask a question or recommend an article
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V 1.0 initial post

Short (Article):

Ready to Query the database 'thedatabasename'. 1. About to query the database: 'thedatabasename' 2. Query Returned - Row: ID: 1, GUID: 0000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001, USR: Bob, MOB: 1234567890 - Row: ID: 2, GUID: 0000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000002, USR: Joe, MOB: 1234567891 - Row: ID: 3, GUID: 0000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000003, USR: Jane, MOB: 1234567892

Variable Bind Parameter Types

When you bind an incoming variable you can inform MySQL what the data type is expected to be.

Debug Options

Errors Enabled: Turn on PHP Debug Errors On

Turning on errors on production servers is bad but on on development.

First, find php.ini files

Edit your appropriate PHP file

And turn on Error reporting.

Restart PHP and NGINX

If you need to view your active php.ini file or see php configuration settings, add this to a .php file on your web server and view it’s contents.

It is amazing how clear errors can be

Dump Connection Vars: PHP mysqli_connect: var_dump($con)

Output:

Show Environment Vars: mysqli_get_host_info, mysqli_get_proto_info, mysqli_get_server_version, mysqli_get_client_version and mysqli_get_client_info.

Output:

Show errors in failed if statements: mysqli_stmt_prepare else

Output:

Debugging is your friend.

More to come..

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Ask a question or recommend an article
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V 1.0 initial post

Short (Article):

Show errors in failed if statements: mysqli_stmt_prepare else

Output:

Debugging is your friend.

More to come..

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Ask a question or recommend an article
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V 1.0 initial post

Short (Article):

Ready to Query the database ‘thedatabasename’. 1. About to query the database: ‘thedatabasename’ 2. Query Returned – Row: ID: 1, GUID: 0000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001, USR: Bob, MOB: 1234567890 – Row: ID: 2, GUID: 0000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000002, USR: Joe, MOB: 1234567891 – Row: ID: 3, GUID: 0000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000003, USR: Jane, MOB: 1234567892

Variable Bind Parameter Types

When you bind an incoming variable you can inform MySQL what the data type is expected to be.

Debug Options

Errors Enabled: Turn on PHP Debug Errors On

Turning on errors on production servers is bad but on on development.

First, find php.ini files

Edit your appropriate PHP file

And turn on Error reporting.

Restart PHP and NGINX

If you need to view your active php.ini file or see php configuration settings, add this to a .php file on your web server and view it’s contents.

It is amazing how clear errors can be

Dump Connection Vars: PHP mysqli_connect: var_dump($con)

Output:

Show Environment Vars: mysqli_get_host_info, mysqli_get_proto_info, mysqli_get_server_version, mysqli_get_client_version and mysqli_get_client_info.

Output:

Show errors in failed if statements: mysqli_stmt_prepare else

Output:

Debugging is your friend.

More to come..

Donate and make this blog better

Ask a question or recommend an article
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V 1.0 initial post

Short (Article):

(length=79) public ‘client_version’ => int 50012 public ‘connect_errno’ => int 0 public ‘connect_error’ => null public ‘errno’ => int 0 public ‘error’ => string ” (length=0) public ‘error_list’ => array (size=0) empty public ‘field_count’ => int 0 public ‘host_info’ => string ‘127.0.0.1 via TCP/IP’ (length=20) public ‘info’ => null public ‘insert_id’ => int 0 public ‘server_info’ => string ‘5.7.19-0ubuntu0.16.04.1’ (length=23) public ‘server_version’ => int 50719 public ‘stat’ => string ‘Uptime: 1828089 Threads: 1 Questions: 15702 Slow queries: 0 Opens: 1529 Flush tables: 1 Open tables: 1461 Queries per second avg: 0.008’ (length=142) public ‘sqlstate’ => string ‘00000’ (length=5) public ‘protocol_version’ => int 10 public ‘thread_id’ => int 7367 public ‘warning_count’ => int 0

Show Environment Vars: mysqli_get_host_info, mysqli_get_proto_info, mysqli_get_server_version, mysqli_get_client_version and mysqli_get_client_info.

Output:

Show errors in failed if statements: mysqli_stmt_prepare else

Output:

Debugging is your friend.

More to come..

Donate and make this blog better

Ask a question or recommend an article
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V 1.0 initial post

Short (Article):

Variable Bind Parameter Types

When you bind an incoming variable you can inform MySQL what the data type is expected to be.

Debug Options

Errors Enabled: Turn on PHP Debug Errors On

Turning on errors on production servers is bad but on on development.

First, find php.ini files

Edit your appropriate PHP file

And turn on Error reporting.

Restart PHP and NGINX

If you need to view your active php.ini file or see php configuration settings, add this to a .php file on your web server and view it’s contents.

It is amazing how clear errors can be

Dump Connection Vars: PHP mysqli_connect: var_dump($con)

Output:

Show Environment Vars: mysqli_get_host_info, mysqli_get_proto_info, mysqli_get_server_version, mysqli_get_client_version and mysqli_get_client_info.

Output:

Show errors in failed if statements: mysqli_stmt_prepare else

Output:

Debugging is your friend.

More to come..

Donate and make this blog better

Ask a question or recommend an article
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V 1.0 initial post

Short (Article):

Code

Creating a GitHub Account

Creating RSA Keys

Setup Git Locally

Install Tortoise GIt

Folder for Code Repositories

Clone a GitHub Repository via git and Tortoise GIT

Convert an RSA Key to a Putty PPK with PuuttyGen

Clone (with a PPK Private Key)

Creating a Quick Visual Studio Project

Setup on Multiple Machines

Why?

Sing Bowl Sound

Parts

Pre Assembled v Soldering

Installing the Arduino IDE Software

Installing the Adafruit SiLabs CP2104 Driver

Installing the Adafruit ESP Feather in the Arduino IDE Boards Manager

Updating Libraries

Selecting the Adafruit Feather in the Arduino IDE

Writing your first sketch to the ESP32

Adding the DS3231 Precision RTC Library to the Arduino IDE

Connecting the DS3231 Precision RTC Library to the ESP32

Adding the QUAD Alphanumeric Feather Wing Display to the Arduino IDE

Testing the QUAD Alphanumeric Feather Wing Display to the ESP32

Combining the Blink + Clock+ Alphanumeric Display into Ome Sketch

Triggering a Solenoid Every Hour and making a sound

Power Usage

Safety Features

Where I purchased Parts from in Australia

Links

Pre-Requisites/Assumptions

Background

PHPStorm IDE?

Install PHPStorm

System requirements

Pricing

Creating a Project

Creating your first PHP file

Creating a Deploy Target

Deploying code to the cloud

Sourc Control

Shell Command

Linux Client

Troubleshooting

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