Web development is a complex process that requires a strong knowledge of coding and computer programming. However, web development tools are constantly evolving and now it is much easier to make websites than ever before.
In fact, even someone with no web development experience is capable of creating and launching a site in a matter of minutes. Web development tools allow professional and beginner web developers to make more complex websites, include more elements in their web pages, and avoid writing several lines of repetitive code.
Below is our guide to the web development tools every developer needs for their workflow.
What is Web Development?
Before getting into web development tools, it is important to cover what web development is and what the duties and responsibilities are of a web developer.
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Web development encompasses all aspects of creating a website. A developer may create a single web page, web apps, or a social network site.
Web developers may take on the responsibility of web engineers, network security, web designers, web content developers, backend, and front end development. At a moment’s notice, a web developer has to complete whatever task they receive, which is why web developer tools are such a vital part of the job.
What Are Web Development Tools?
Web development tools vary in style and type, but their primary function is to aid web developers in the creation and implementation of websites. Using these tools, it is possible to add unique aspects to your website or do a great deal of code much more quickly than if you were to write it manually.
Today, there is no shortage of web development tools. From libraries and software developed by communities to tools made by companies, the number of libraries, apps, and frameworks available to web developers is numerous.
It is difficult to understand and find out what web development tools are the best or most useful to a developer. Below is a list of a few of the best ones available to developers today.
The Best Web Development Tools
Text Editors
Text editors are among some of the best tools for web developers.
Sublime Text
As a text editor, Sublime Text is one of the most popular available for creating and editing code. While Sublime is free to download, there is a fee of $70 for a license.
Some of the features of the Sublime Text editor is that it is available on Windows, Linux, and Mac, and it has navigation functionality and adaptive matching for commands.
Notepad
Notepad is a text editor found only on Windows. Not only is this program free, but it supports dozens of programming languages. It also supports synchronized views and edits, highlights syntax, and has several other features. It is a useful program for those with a Windows computer who want to immediately get into programming and web development.
Web Development Frameworks
Framework software makes the process of web development much easier. Within this software are libraries, which help with creating all aspects of a website.
Some of the most powerful web development frameworks have several features to help with creating, compiling, and debugging web pages and applications.
GitHub
GitHub is a popular development platform. It aids developers with its version control system, which allows users to view changes made to code. It even allows you to restore a project to a previous state.
One of the most significant benefits of GitHub is its large community. Several professionals and hobby developers are frequently on GitHub. If you have a question about a project or run into an error, there is a high chance you’ll find the help you need from someone on GitHub.
GitHub comes in multiple plans. There is a free and paid plan for both teams and individuals.
Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code is a development tool that is usable on Windows, Mac, and Linux. While the base program has several features already, it is possible to add support for more programming languages, debuggers, themes, and more.
One of the biggest features of Visual Studio Code is its IntelliSense, which helps with accurately predicting your code and provides you with several suggestions to speed up the coding process.
If you’re new to programming, this feature helps you overcome difficult coding problems. Experienced programmers can take advantage of this Visual Studio Code feature to better streamline their process.
Angular.JS
AngularJS helps you extend the HTML syntax in your web application. This allows you to make your code more readable, expressive, and easier to develop. It essentially allows you to build your webpage in more complex ways while still using HTML.
Developed by Google, AngularJS is open-source. The JavaScript code the framework handles is suitable for multiple browsers. While it does have its downsides, AngularJS, as a free tool, is very useful for developers, especially those working in front end development.
Django
For Python developers, Django is one of the most popular web application frameworks available. Django has the support of a large Python community that regularly contributes to the software by providing various utilities and packages.
Today, there are thousands of packages for Django developers. Python is known for being one of the easiest programming languages to learn and many people use it for web development.
If you’re new to development and want to get into it immediately, then using Python and Django may serve as the best initial tools for you to create your own web pages.
Chrome Developer Tools
Chrome DevTools allow you to edit your CSS and HTML, as well as debug JavaScript, all in real-time while watching the performance of your website.
Developed by Google, these tools let you edit and modify your code while you watch the way your website operates. Chrome Developer Tools are available in a bundle with both Safari and Chrome.
In addition to its current selection of features, Google updates this toolset every six weeks. They also have a YouTube channel specifically dedicated to the tools to demonstrate some of the Chrome Developer Tools features.
Sass
Sass is a web development tool that helps you save time. This CSS preprocessor helps with writing code that is future-proof and reduces the amount of CSS you write so you don’t have to repeat yourself.
This tool comes with several features, but perhaps the best thing about it is that it allows you to compile and render simple CSS code that leads to more readable stylesheets.
jQuery
When it comes to front end web development, JavaScript is essential. While it does have its problems, it is an important aspect of web development and it’s a necessary part of a developer’s toolkit.
With the help of jQuery, a JavaScript library, writing JavaScript is a much simpler process. jQuery provides developers easier ways to create animations, add plug-ins to their webpage, and navigate documents.
Other core features of jQuery include it being open-source and free, and that it has a useful theme mechanism. It is also friendly toward maintenance, is highly stable, and supports multiple web browsers.
For developers who want to work on more front end aspects of their webpage, this is a toolkit to keep in mind.
Choosing the Right Development Tools
With dozens of development tools out there to help you create your webpage, it is overwhelming to choose the right one for you. Before downloading or utilizing any web development tools, keep your goals in mind and what the requirements for your webpage may be.
Look at the programming languages you plan to use for your website and whether you’ll focus primarily on front end development, backend development, web design, or something else.
Also, keep in mind the type of website you want to build. Today, most webpages are responsive and can work in multiple browsers, as well as on mobile devices. Keep in mind that whatever web development tool you utilize, you’ll need to create a website that is simple to adjust and change based on the way people access it.
Conclusion
In the past, developing a webpage meant creating code tirelessly, without the freedom of debugging or using convenient tools to evaluate and speed up the process. Today, several development tools prevent you from writing the same code repeatedly.
Some tools use software to keep you from rewriting code. Other software makes editing code and organizing it much easier. There are even frameworks that have packages and libraries that completely transform the way the framework works to further increase the software’s features.
If you’re new to web development or you have extensive experience, the right web development tools may help with the process. From familiar favorites that still receive updates to new tools that come out to this day, there’s no limit to what’s available to you.
Take advantage of the tools out there and create your next incredible web page.
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