These are the tools I recommend. They are all highly vetted. This means that either I have personally tried these tools, or have seen some of my trusted colleagues use them successfully.
You are at the right website. You will get honest and straightforward advice here 😃.
4 tools you must install
As an aspiring and thriving JavaScript developer, you will need the following tools installed on your computer.
1) Text Editor (Aka Code Editor)
This is the tool you use to actually code in. There are many good tools out there, many of them are free.
Pick one, install it:
- VS Code - I use this and love it
- Atom
- Sublime Text
- Brackets
- Web Storm
2) Google Chrome
For any serious web developer, you must have Google Chrome installed. Here is why. The Google Chrome browser is (a) fast, (b) is kept up to date, and (c) comes pre-installed with a powerful set of Developer Tools. This helps us, developer, troubleshoot and debug the applications we build. It's a must-have.
If you are not using Google Chrome, you are not serious about your skills in web development.
3) Node.js
Node.js is actually a JavaScript runtime. Its just a tool that sits on our computer, and we use it to process our code.
For a crash course on Node.js, click here.
4) Postman
With Postman we can make different HTTP requests and clearly see the response. This tool is very handy when building or integrating with APIs.
Learning References
Coders are builders, problem solvers, and troubleshooters. We are NOT memorizers.
"Do not commit to memory anything that can be looked up in a book"
With that said, it's important that you keep these resources handy to lookup documentation and details about any feature you are trying to learn.
Mozilla documentation
This is the most authentic site for looking up documentation on web technology. References for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are all documented pretty well here.
Important: I never go to the Mozilla documentation directly. I usually google something like this: "javascript array mozilla" and then click on the link from Mozilla's website.
W3Schools.com
Although I don't use this, many of my students find W3 Schools helpful. I must say that they have simple terminology and a helpful demo of code. Its a great reference for newbies.
As you become more proficient, you must start relying on Mozilla more than W3 Schools.
Web Hosting
Netlify
iLoveCoding Front-End is hosted with Netlify. It's free, fast, and integrates with Github and Bitbucket. It's pretty awesome. They have a ton of features and tools that make hosting easy and a peace of mind.
I actually just code my website and push it to Bitbucket and my website changes automatically get live. They have more handy features like that.
SiteGround
Great for WordPress hosting and general purpose website hosting.
Heroku
Heroku is a platform as a service. That means that they take care of the servers, performance logging and all. You simply deploy your app and they simply deploy it live. I love it. iLoveCoding backend is hosted with Heroku.
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
There is all this craze about AWS, but as a beginner and even intermediate developers, you may not have the need for them. They have a vast range of services. For most needs, you can easily use other more user-friendly services. API and Web back-end hosting with Heroku, and static file site hosting with Netlify or SiteGround. There I said it 😲
Domain: Get your own (.com)
If you want your own website domain - like yourname.com (.net .org .co .io ...), you need to buy a domain from a domain registrar. Simply pay a nominal yearly fee, and register your domain.
I have used many services over the years; Below are some that I recommend:
- iWantMyName.com - Simple interface and a ton of domain extensions offered
- Godaddy.com - Has good phone customer service. Good if you are a newbie
- Google Domain - Simple interface
- Amazon Web Services - only recommended for advanced users - they make it a little complicated.
Remember domain registrars are like domain brokers, so they are more or less a commodity. All they do is provide a DNS Server (also known as a Name Server) that has a record of your domain name information. All you care about from a domain registrar is (A) They are reliable and will not go out of business (B) They have a good Domain Name Record editing interface. (C) Price.
Design: Prototyping Ideas
Affinity Photo - I use this
Affinity Photo is like Photoshop but without the monthly fees. Pay once and own forever.
Balsamiq
Balsamiq is an awesome prototyping app. If you have an app idea, you can quickly mock it with Balsamiq. I don't use Balsamiq, I use Affinity Photo to do the same.
If you are not savvy with design and photoshop skills, Balsamiq is a great tool for you.
Organizing Thoughts and Projects
Workflowy - I use this, a lot
Workflowy is a simple note-taking app organized around lists. I use Workflowing for taking notes, journaling, brainstorming, and preparing all iLoveCoding video content and curriculum.
Asana - I use this
Asana is a project management tool. I use it to organize my days, weeks, projects, and even collaborate with my team. Asana keeps track of my tasks, deadlines, and status of those tasks. If I am collaborating on a task with my team, the comments section helps us keep all the conversation about that task in one place.
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