Tools and Software we need for web dev

Before you start building websites, you need to set up your computer with the right tools. These tools will help you write code, preview your work, track changes, and collaborate efficiently.

As a web developer, you will:

• Write HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code

• Preview your work in a browser

• Track changes using a version control system, like Git.

• Share your code with others for feedback or collaboration.

Writing Code

To create websites, you will write HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code. To do this efficiently, you will need a good code editor.

A code editor lets you write and manage code. Most operating systems come with a basic editor, but they lack useful features like syntax highlighting, extensions, or debugging tools. That’s why we recommend using a more powerful code editor that will make your coding experience easier and more efficient. Visual Studio Code is the code editor we will be using. Download and install it for your operating system.

Preview the output of your code

You will need a browser to preview your web pages and make sure they look and work the way you intend. There are many browsers available for installation, and most operating systems come with a default browser. If you're reading this on your computer, we assume you already have a browser installed.

Track your code

Version control is essential. It helps you track progress, undo mistakes, and collaborate with others. The most famous Version Control System is git, and that’s what we will be using.

But there is a catch. To use git efficiently, you need to learn how to use the Command Line Interface and the Terminal because that’s where we will mostly be using git.

Now let’s install git

Check whether you already have git installed.

For macOS and Linux Users

Open your system terminal (you can also search for the term terminal or console). Type the following command and press Enter

git --version

If Git is installed, you will see a version number like in the image below

Most Unix-like and Unix-based systems, such as macOS and Linux, come with a version of git by default, so in most cases, you will already have it on your operating system. However, if you don't, you can easily install it using your operating system's package manager.

For Windows Users

First, we need to ensure we have a terminal installed. The default CMD or Command Prompt can be used, but git comes with a more powerful command-line tool called Git Bash. Download and install Git Bash. After installing, search for Git Bash on your system and launch it. Git Bash opens a terminal window similar to Linux/macOS. It’s where you will enter Git and Linux Commands.

Now, if you type the following command and press Enter,

git --version

you will see that git returns a version number. That’s because Git Bash includes Git out of the box.

Now we have a powerful terminal and git installed on our computer. In future articles, we will set up most of these tools and start using them in our development workflows.

What Next

In subsequent articles, we will explore

• The Command Line Interface and How to Use the Terminal

• Linux commands we can use in the terminal