Setting Up Dev Environment

Hey Everyone,

As a software developer, I need my computer to be always ready for one thing and one thing alone - Coding!

So setting up a dev environment to fit to my need is one of my basic requirement. In this post i will share with you what tools i used to set up mine.

First - My requirements

1. Efficient: I need tools for coding

2. Focused: I need tools for Planning, Note Taking

3. Durable: I need tools for backup

4. Should Look Good: I need good ui

My Tools:

1. Tools for Coding:

I’ve experimented with various coding tools, and here’s a review for each:

Notepad++: My initial coding environment, favoured for writing HTML and C code. It offers basic syntax highlighting and is lightweight, but not suitable for major projects.
Visual Studio: My first comprehensive IDE for coding, used primarily for C++ projects. It delivers an excellent debugging experience but demands significant installation space and supports a limited set of languages.
Vim: Ideal for those who aim for fast coding. Vim’s key bindings and shortcuts are valuable for quick coding tasks and were my go-to for competitive programming.
Visual Studio Code: Currently, my preferred IDE, combining the features of Visual Studio with the lightness of Notepad. It supports a wide range of languages, and if there’s a specific feature you desire, chances are there’s an extension for it.
NeoVim: Often referred to as “Vim on steroids,” but I found using Visual Studio Code with Vim keybindings extension offers a similar experience without the setup complexities of NeoVim.

My preference is using Visual Studio Code

2. Tools for Note Taking:

Planning can be a hurdle for many developers, and I’ve had my struggles as well.

Notepad++: Suitable for simple note-taking but lacks advanced features.
Google Keep: Used for years, with cloud-saving capabilities, but essentially a text app.
Obsidian: An open-source note-taking gem. While Jira and Confluence excel in collaboration, Obsidian shines for individual use.

Currently, I stick with Obsidian for its versatility and features.

3. Tools for Backup:

Every developer should have an automatic backup system on their PC to avoid the pain of losing data.

Git: My primary tool for software projects, coupled with GitHub. Always remember to push your changes regularly.
GDrive: Google’s 15GB free space is handy for file clutter. Set up GDrive for auto-sync to keep your files safe.
Mega and OneDrive: Secondary options for files I prefer not to store in GDrive, managed through some automation.

GDrive sync and GitHub are indispensable lifesavers to me

4. Tools for UI:

Dependent on your software choice, here are some recommendations:

For VSCode users, enable Material Icon and Material Theme for an enhanced visual experience.
For shell, consider trying Oh My Zsh, offering cool prebuilt themes.
A personal favourite for shell customisation is Powerlevel10k.

Final Note:

Your environment is a reflection of your unique style and preferences. Feel free to explore and customise to make it truly yours!