Charles Web Debugging Tool is an HTTP proxy server that serves as a monitor and reverse proxy. It is used for debugging web applications.
Charles can simulate modem speeds by throttling bandwidth and introducing latency so that users can experience websites as a modem user might. The bandwidth simulator feature is particularly useful for developers, especially those working with Macromedia Flash content, as it can help them view the contents of LoadVariables, LoadMovie and XML loads.
Users can benefit from a range of powerful features when using Charles, such as seeing the number of assets loaded by a web page, how big each request was, and even the contents of every file (including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files). The software also allows users to blacklist sites, block requests, and see cached responses.
Other key features include viewing encrypted HTTPS traffic in plain text, exporting captured data to CSV for further analysis, and automatic configuration of Windows Internet Proxy settings. Charles also supports NTLM authentication and external proxy support which can be configured in-app.
The software is a Java application and requires the JRE or JDK from Sun. While version 1.2 or later is sufficient, 1.4 or later is required for full SSL functionality. Overall, Charles is a powerful tool that can help developers troubleshoot and optimize their web pages effectively.
Version 2.4.1: N/A