Developer tools refer to any application or programming framework designed to make computer programmers more efficient and productive. This includes tools designed to make aspects of the programming process easier, like Git and Emmet, and programming libraries meant to expand the functionality of coding languages, like Node.js and React for JavaScript or Django for Python. If you’ve always wanted to learn developer tools but can’t figure out how to get started, this guide is for you. Here, you’ll learn more about the various ways to learn developer tools, free resources to take advantage of, and the types of careers that commonly use developer tools.
Becoming a professional computer programmer takes a lot of training and effort. You’ll need to learn a wide range of programming languages that each serve a niche function in the development process. However, those looking to parlay their development skills into a long-term career will also need to learn how to use standard tools and libraries associated with computer programming to optimize their workflow and ensure that their code is easy to read, edit, and compile. Whether you are learning to use Visual Studio Code to compile your code, Git to archive it, or specific programming libraries like React and Node.js to expand the scope of your projects, learning developer tools is vital to be an efficient and effective computer programmer.
“Developer tools” is a broad category of skills that covers efficiency tools like Git, Emmet, and Visual Studio Code, along with programming libraries like React and Django. These categories of tools are designed to help make programming easier and more efficient. Developers are more or less required to know Git since it is a crucial archiving program that is useful for all stages of the development process. Libraries such as the JavaScript framework Node.js serve more specific functions (in the case of Node.js, letting applications read JavaScript code outside of a web browser). Students must decide which set of tools will provide the largest return on investment, but learning a collection of different developer tools will significantly improve your job opportunities and code quality.
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Developer tools are primarily used to make the coding and programming process more efficient and optimized for specific tasks. As a result, most of the things you can do with developer tools are focused on improving the things you can do with programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. For example, Git won’t do much on its own, but when paired with other programming languages, it becomes a powerful tool for documentation and collaboration between multiple developers. Visual Studio Code will help developers compile and debug code far faster than they might otherwise have been able to, allowing them to work on more complex projects by automating basic elements of the process.
On the other hand, learning to use advanced programming frameworks and libraries will vastly expand the things you can do as a programmer. For example, learning Node.js will allow you to develop software applications that read JavaScript code without accessing a web browser. This is a necessary technical skill for building things like streaming-service software. It is a vital component of Internet of Things technologies that make everything from digital assistants to smart cars possible. Similarly, learning the MERN stack will let users build full-stack frameworks for web applications using only their knowledge of JavaScript.
Since developer tools like Git, Visual Studio Code, and Emmet are primarily efficiency tools, they are utilized in virtually every field that employs Developers. This includes fields employing Web Developers, Software Engineers, or dedicated JavaScript or Python Developers. Since virtually every field relies on internet and web connectivity to operate at maximum efficiency, skilled developers can find work in almost every sector, including private and public-sector work. A few of the positions that regularly take advantage of developer tools are:
Web Developer: Web Developers are responsible for building and maintaining webpages and other web applications. They program the client-facing elements of a webpage using languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and they use tools like Emmet and VCS to optimize the development process. Web Developers may also build and maintain the back-end infrastructure on which the webpage runs, using programming languages like Python or specialized JavaScript frameworks like Node.js and Express.js.
JavaScript Developer: Some developers specialize in specific programming languages such as JavaScript. These developers will not only learn how to use efficiency tools like Git and Emmet but also specialized JavaScript frameworks like the MERN stack. This collection of libraries (MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js) allows JavaScript Developers to build full-stack applications that handle front-end, back-end, and database aspects of web applications using only JavaScript and its associated libraries.
Python Developer: Like JavaScript Developers, Python Developers are programmers who specialize in the Python programming language. Python is a back-end language used for organizing, querying, and filtering databases and is a vital component of modern data science practices. Not only will Python Developers learn how to use tools like Git and vs. Code, but they will also learn specialized programming libraries such as Django. The significant difference between Python Developers and JavaScript Developers is that Python is used primarily in data science and machine learning projects, while JavaScript Developers are more likely to work on web development projects.
Learning developer tools is an ideal step for any aspiring computer programmer who wants to make their work either more efficient or more expansive. These tools will help you throughout almost every step of the development process. For example, learning Visual Studio Code makes it easier to build mundane elements with features like intelligent code completion, syntax highlighting, and direct support for debugging. Git helps students document and archive their code in a collaborative working environment, allowing them to keep detailed records of their work and the alterations made to their code. Emmet is a software application designed as a high-speed plug-in for web development projects, making HTML and CSS coding faster and easier. Each tool serves a different purpose and lets users work more efficiently on development projects.
Other major developer tools include programming libraries and frameworks that expand the kinds of work possible with any given programming language. These libraries such as React, Node.js, and Django, can be learned alongside their base language (often JavaScript or Python) to allow developers to build more complex programs. For example, despite JavaScript being primarily a web development language, learning the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js) enables web developers to build full-stack digital applications that can run on almost any device or platform. While programmers won’t necessarily be required to learn these tools to work on projects involving JavaScript, learning any of them is a great way to expand a developer’s career potential.
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Anyone interested in learning web development tools will have several options available. These developer tool training courses vary in their delivery modes, meaning that aspiring developers can choose the right course from the options available. While every student has different learning goals, the classes tend to have consistent pros and cons based on their delivery method, making it simpler to make more informed decisions about which course is right for them.
Some people prefer live instruction training options, which can be delivered in-person at a dedicated training facility or online in a private digital classroom. These courses put students in direct contact with an expert instructor who guides them through their lessons and provides assistance and feedback in real-time. These courses ensure that students have a support structure to help them learn and provide structured, hands-on lessons to keep them on track as they learn real-world applications for their new skills.
In-person training courses provide the benefits of a dedicated learning environment, as students can often take advantage of a service provider's technology labs. In addition, they make it possible to learn alongside a cohort of like-minded colleagues, which many find beneficial to their learning. These courses are geographically restricted and require students to budget the extra time and money for commuting to a training center. Online courses let participants learn from the comfort of their workspace but can feel more distant, which some students find a drawback. Additionally, these classes don’t require a commute, but generally require students to acquire and maintain their hardware and software.
People who need more flexibility in their training may wish to enroll in an on-demand web development course. These classes are asynchronous learning options that allow students to learn development tools like Git and Emmet at their own pace, which can be important for those with work or family commitments preventing them from attending a regular training course. These classes have a wide range of content delivery methods and costs, so students should be careful when picking the right course. However, these courses are also the best way for students to target specific development skills, so a student wanting to learn just GitHub will likely benefit from an on-demand course.
Others who aren’t sure they want to enroll in a professional web development course may wish to explore their options for free online training. These classes are designed to introduce people to the basic concepts of web development and the tools used to streamline the development process. Anyone interested in the available video training options should visit Noble’s web development playlist for a complete collection of videos covering skills such as Visual Studio Code, GitHub, and JavaScript programming libraries. These training courses won’t replace professional development training, but they are an excellent place to start learning the basics of the programs and libraries that a student wants to master.
Read the full guide on how to learn developer tools.
Those who aren’t ready to dive into a paid web development training course may want to consider exploring their options for free online tutorial courses. These classes introduce students to the essential elements of web development and guide them through discovering the many different tools they can learn to use. These courses tend to be cursory, so anyone hoping to learn to use tools like Visual Studio Code or frameworks like React will need additional professional training. Still, these courses are a great way to become more comfortable with the foundational skills required for professional web development.
Noble Desktop offers a wide array of free online web development courses, including an Intro to Web Development class, which provides viewers with an overview of significant aspects of web development, including the most common tools utilized in the web development process. It delivers a high-level look at all the different aspects of web development they can expect to cover in a full course, including programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, tools such as Git and Visual Studio Code, and libraries such as React. These training resources are a great place for future web development students to get their bearings on the field, and since they are taught by experienced Noble instructors, they are an excellent preparation for enrolling in a more immersive training program.
Some may also wish to look at the free training options available through providers such as Coursera or Udemy. These providers, as well as others, offer an array of different introductory training courses. People interested in a specific tool or programming language may also visit the official websites where those tools can be acquired, as many organizations maintaining these tools also provide users with free lessons on how to use them.
Read about more free developer tools videos and online tutorials.
It is challenging to discuss the difficulty associated with developer tools because each tool and library has a different difficulty level. For example, learning a distributed version control tool like Git is relatively easy to learn and use, since its features are lightweight and highly accessible. Learning a full-stack framework like the JavaScript MERN stack will be more difficult, as this is a collection of advanced programming libraries. Aspiring web developers are encouraged to explore their options, though none of the available tools are too complex for intermediate developers, especially those receiving professional skills training.
There are essentially two different types of prerequisites for learning developer tools. There are technically no prerequisites for efficiency-focused tools like Git or Visual Studio Code, but learning them won’t accomplish anything if you don’t already know how to code. It doesn’t really matter what specific languages you learn, since Git is equally helpful for users of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python, but you will need background knowledge in computer programming. For frameworks and libraries such as React and Node.js that are built on top of existing programming languages, those languages are strict prerequisites for learning the framework. For example, those who want to learn Node.js will have to learn JavaScript, which means they must learn HTML and CSS first.
Most development tools are open-source, allowing students to use them without paying. This also means they tend to have vibrant communities that are constantly expanding what the tools can do in terms of optimizing programmers’ efficiency. Some of these tools may have slight fees for certain premium features (for instance, users hosting massive amounts of data on GitHub may have to pay a small fee, though individuals are unlikely ever to come close to this). Still, for most users, developer tools are entirely free to use.
Read about how difficult it is to learn developer tools.
Since people who want to use developer tools will necessarily need to learn programming languages, the most common alternative path is to learn additional programming languages such as JavaScript or Python. Learning programming languages will be more time-consuming than learning developer tools, but they allow you to work on significantly more expansive projects. Students who learn additional programming languages can also learn more specialized programming tools.
For starters, learning programming languages is a hard requirement for learning any developer tools. However, for many tools such as Git and Emmet, the language you learn won’t really matter, so you may opt instead to expand your programming knowledge before picking up efficiency-focused skills. Students who begin by learning HTML and CSS may opt to learn JavaScript or Python. Students who start with Python may want to learn SQL or another database-driven language. Ultimately, it’s a good idea to learn the programming skills you want to use professionally before learning an efficiency tool, even if learning the programming language will be more time-consuming.
Some may also wish to consider learning tools that simplify the design process of building webpages such as Figma or Adobe XD. These are tools for creating the visual design of a web application, and learning to use them is a vital part of the design and development process. However, in professional settings, most projects employ separate designers and developers. These skills are invaluable for developers working on personal projects or who hope to handle all elements of web development projects at a small firm, but are less valuable for students who hope to specialize in the development side of the web design industry.
You can learn more about coding or web design with Noble’s learning resources.
Future developers interested in learning developer tools need to carefully select the kind of course they want to enroll in. While each student's learning goals are different, the best way to learn developer tools generally depends on how many other skills you hope to learn and how much prior programming experience you have.
Students who only want to learn a single tool—either because they are pressed for time or have a specific professional reason to quickly learn something like Git—should consider enrolling in an on-demand training course or taking advantage of free training resources. These classes can help students focus on specific skills and ensure they aren’t spending too much time on skills that aren’t immediately necessary to their work.
Anyone who wants comprehensive coverage of developer tools should enroll in a focused training bootcamp such as Noble’s Front-end Tools and Portfolio course. These classes are designed with experienced programmers in mind, emphasizing how students can utilize essential development tools to improve their workflow and efficiency. These classes assume prior knowledge of programming and aim to build upon that knowledge with focused training in a wide range of skills such as Git, GitHub, Emmet, and Visual Studio Code.
Those who aren’t yet comfortable with their programming knowledge but still want to become professional software and web developers should consider enrolling in a career-focused training program such as Noble’s Front-end Web Development Certificate program. These classes teach how to program web applications using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and then build on those skills by teaching commonly used tools and frameworks that professional developers use daily. They are ideal for anyone hoping to pursue a new career path.
Those who want to optimize their web development skills may consider enrolling in a web development training program offered through Noble Desktop. These classes teach students how to use these tools to become more efficient and productive programmers. Enrolling in a course through Noble Desktop means you receive expert instruction in real-time, regardless of whether you take a course online or in-person at Noble’s Manhattan campus. In either case, class sizes are kept small and students can interact directly with their instructors, making it easy to ensure they don’t fall behind in their lessons. All students can retake their courses within one calendar year, giving them extra opportunities to train with these development tools. Plus, students who attend in-person can take advantage of Noble’s state-of-the-art computer lab.
For those looking to master the crucial tools that web developers use to streamline their work, Noble offers a Front-end Tools and Portfolio course that covers all the most common web development tools professionals utilize daily. This includes Git and GitHub for documenting and sharing code, Emmet for programming efficiency and shortcutting, and Visual Studio Code for compiling and editing code. These tools significantly accelerate a student’s ability to complete projects and are invaluable professional resources. This class assumes knowledge of HTML and CSS, so students should seek other training if they need to cover those skills first.
If you want a more complete web development training regimen that includes many of these tools and frameworks, you may enroll in Noble’s Front-end Web Development Certificate program or its Full Stack Web Development Certificate program. These career-focused courses provide training in every step of the development process, from basic coding skills with HTML and CSS to advanced JavaScript training. Along the way, you will learn the tools, techniques, and specific programming libraries needed to start a new career in professional web development. These courses provide practical training in tools like Git and Visual Studio Code, along with professionalization training such as one-on-one career mentorship and dedicated portfolio-building seminars. They provide an ideal opportunity to learn every element of web development and embark on a new career path in this ever-changing industry.
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