Top Essentials that every Software Developer should own

Shobhit Srivastava
3 min readJan 28, 2023

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“Good code is its own best documentation. As you’re about to add a comment, ask yourself, ‘How can I improve the code so that this comment isn’t needed?’” — Steve McConnell

Pexel image by cottonbro studio

As a software developer, having the right tools in your toolbox is essential for success. From code editors like Sublime Text and VS Code, to productivity tools like Notion and Trello, these tools can help streamline your workflow and improve efficiency. In this article, we will discuss the essential tools every developer should have in their toolbox and how to use them effectively.

  1. A reliable computer: A good developer needs a fast and reliable computer to run their development tools and software.
  2. A code editor: A good code editor is essential for writing and editing code efficiently. Some popular options include Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, and Atom.
  3. A version control system: A version control system allows developers to track changes to their code and collaborate with others on projects. Git is a popular choice among developers.
  4. A debugging tool: Debugging tools help developers identify and fix bugs in their code. Some popular options include GDB and LLDB for C/C++ and JavaScript, respectively.
  5. A task management tool: A task management tool helps developers stay organized and track their progress on projects. Some popular options include Trello and Asana.
  6. A documentation tool: A documentation tool helps developers organize and share information about their code. Some popular options include Doxygen and JSDoc.
  7. A testing tool: A testing tool helps developers verify that their code is working as intended. Some popular options include JUnit and Mocha.
  8. A performance monitoring tool: A performance monitoring tool helps developers identify and fix performance issues in their code. Some popular options include New Relic and AppDynamics.
  9. A collaboration tool: A collaboration tool helps developers communicate and work together on projects. Some popular options include Slack and Microsoft Teams.
  10. A knowledge management tool: A knowledge management tool helps developers organize and share information about their work. Some popular options include Confluence and Notion.
  11. A cloud computing platform: Cloud computing platforms allow developers to easily deploy and scale their applications. Some popular options include Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform.
  12. A backup solution: A backup solution helps developers protect their work in case of data loss. Some popular options include Time Machine and Carbonite.

In conclusion, software development is constantly evolving and staying on top of the latest tools and technologies is essential to be successful in the industry. A solid foundation in computer science, familiarity with development tools and technologies, and the ability to work well in a team are essential skills for a software developer. From code editors to productivity tools, having the right tools in your toolbox can help streamline your workflow and improve efficiency. Investing time to learn and master these tools can make a big difference in your development career.

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Shobhit Srivastava

Software Developer | My areas of interest are: Software Development, OpenSource, Startups, Innovation