Basic Preparation of Development Environment

Setting up your development environment is the first step to becoming a developer! In this guide, I’ll walk you through the basic tools you need to get started: VSCode, Node.js, and Git. Whether you’re new to programming or have no background in web development, this guide will make sure you’re all set up in no time!

1. Install Visual Studio Code (VSCode)

VSCode is a powerful and lightweight text editor, perfect for writing code. It’s one of the most popular editors out there and is used by developers of all levels.

Steps to Install VSCode

1. Go to the VSCode Website:

   Visit https://code.visualstudio.com/ and click on the “Download for Windows/Mac/Linux” button depending on your operating system.

2. Install the Application:

   Once downloaded, open the installer and follow the instructions. For most users, the default installation settings are just fine.

3. Open VSCode:

   After installation, open the application. You’ll be greeted with a simple interface that you’ll use for writing code.

4. Install Extensions (Optional but Recommended):

   • Prettier: Automatically formats your code, making it more readable.
   • ESLint: Helps you catch common code issues.

   To install an extension, click on the Extensions icon on the left sidebar in VSCode and search for the extension name.

2. Install Node.js

Node.js allows you to run JavaScript on your computer and is essential for building web applications. It also includes npm (Node Package Manager), which helps you install and manage libraries and packages.

Steps to Install Node.js

1. Go to the Node.js Website:

   Visit https://nodejs.org/en/ and download the LTS (Long Term Support) version, as it’s more stable for beginners.

2. Install Node.js:

   Open the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. Make sure to check the option that says “Automatically install the necessary tools” during installation.

3. Verify the Installation:

   Open Command Prompt (on Windows) or Terminal (on Mac/Linux) and type:

   node -v

   You should see the Node.js version printed out. This confirms that Node.js is installed.

   Then, check if npm is installed by typing:

   npm -v

   This will show the version of npm installed, indicating that everything is set up properly.

3. Install Git

Git is a version control system that helps you manage your code changes. It’s essential when working on projects, especially when collaborating with others.

Steps to Install Git

1. Go to the Git Website: Visit https://git-scm.com/ and download the latest version for your operating system.

2. Install Git: Open the installer and follow the instructions. On Windows, you’ll be asked to choose settings; for beginners, the default options are fine.

3. Verify the Installation: Open Command Prompt or Terminal and type:

   git --version

   You should see the installed version of Git.

4. Set Up Git (Optional): To set up Git with your name and email (which will appear in your project history), use the following commands in your terminal:

   git config --global user.name "Your Name"
   git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"

   Replace Your Name and your.email@example.com with your actual name and email.

Summary

Congratulations! You’ve just set up the basic tools you need for web development. Here’s a quick recap of what you’ve installed:

• VSCode: Your code editor, where you’ll write your programs.
• Node.js: To run JavaScript outside the browser and manage packages.
• Git: For version control, helping you manage code and collaborate with others.

Now you’re ready to start learning programming and building projects. Happy coding! 😊