When you are a beginner Software Engineer, the abundance of tools at your disposal can be a bit overwhelming at first. There is so much to choose from, and although that is a privilege, it can be hard to know which tools will actually help you in becoming a better programmer. To make things easier for you, I put together a list of the 7 best tools for Software Engineers. These have not only helped me improve my skills, but have also made life easier in numerous aspects! Although the list is numbered, there is really no order as to which one of them is the best, they are all equally helpful in their own way. ## 1. Tailwind CSS [Tailwind CSS](https://tailwindcss.com/docs/) describes themselves as a utility-first CSS framework. What does that mean? Instead of focusing on the functionality of the item you style, Tailwind has its focus on how it should be displayed. With this technique developers can easily test out new styles or change the layout. Tailwind CSS is packed with classes like `flex`, `pt-4`, `text-center` and `rotate-90`, to build any design you like directly in your markup. It is really easy to use and has flex and grid models right out of the box. This really helps limit the amount of CSS Utilities required for your project. For example the following HTML + TailwindCSS: ```html

Box 1

Box 2

Box 3

``` In the above, we are simply applying predefined classes to our HTML. There is no need to create separate CSS files, and you can immediately see what styles are applied to the elements. When looking at a Tailwind CSS powered application, it's easy to see what is going on without looking at several files. Being able to style your components without even touching the CSS file is what makes it so easy to use. A few highlights from TailwindCSS: - Pre-built default color palette - Fully customizable - Mobile-first responsive breakpoints - Utility classes for styling ## 2. GitHub Copilot [GitHub Copilot](https://copilot.github.com/) is like a pair programmer that helps you write better code. It uses an AI system called OpenAI Codex to suggest code and entire functions in real-time, right from your editor. The AI system was trained on billions of lines of code, allowing it to translate natural language descriptions to give you relevant suggestions. The best use case for GitHub Copilot would be to help you with boilerplate or repetitive code. As developers, there are plenty of situations where we find ourselves writing the same code over and over again. Naturally, we use copy and paste to help with that, but GitHub Copilot makes this even easier. All you have to do is write the comments, and it will automatically fill the rest with generated code! For beginners in the field, the suggestions can help you discover ways to code something better, which will ultimately improve your abilities as a Software Engineer. For those that are a little bit more seasoned, GitHub Copilot increases your speed by helping you focus more on business logic rather than the boring boilerplate. ## 3. Visual Studio Code [Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/) is my favorite code editor, and for good reason. It's a lightweight but powerful source code editor that runs on your desktop. It comes with built-in support for JavaScript, TypeScript, and Node.js, and has a rich ecosystem of extensions for other languages and frameworks. Key features of VS Code include: - IntelliSense (code completion) - Built-in debugging - Git commands - Syntax highlighting - Snippets - Extensions The reason why it's great for beginners is that you can install an extension for pretty much any language or framework. It's extremely flexible and easy to use. Paired with themes like "Dracula", VS Code becomes a beautiful editor that's pleasant to look at during those long coding sessions. ## 4. Oh My Zsh [Oh My Zsh](https://ohmyz.sh/) is a delightful, open source, community-driven framework for managing your Zsh configuration. It comes bundled with thousands of helpful functions, helpers, plugins, and themes. Using Oh My Zsh, you can: - Customize your terminal with themes - Use plugins to enhance your development workflow - Leverage autocomplete features for faster command execution For beginners, having a prettier and more functional terminal can help alleviate some of the intimidation that comes with command-line interfaces. ## 5. Postman [Postman](https://www.postman.com/) is an API platform for building and using APIs. It simplifies each step of the API lifecycle and streamlines collaboration so you can create better APIs—faster. With Postman, you can: - Test API endpoints - Create and share API documentation - Design, mock, and debug APIs - Automate API testing This is incredibly useful for beginners who are learning to work with APIs, as it provides a visual interface for what can otherwise be a challenging concept. ## 6. ESLint [ESLint](https://eslint.org/) is a static code analysis tool for identifying problematic patterns found in JavaScript code. It can help you catch bugs and enforce coding standards. For beginners, ESLint helps you: - Learn best practices - Write more consistent code - Identify potential errors before runtime - Adhere to team or community coding standards Integrating ESLint into your development workflow can dramatically improve code quality from the start. ## 7. DevTools Browser DevTools are built into most modern browsers and are essential for front-end development. Whether you use Chrome, Firefox, or Safari, the developer tools provide powerful features for debugging and optimizing your websites. With DevTools, you can: - Inspect and modify HTML and CSS in real-time - Debug JavaScript - Monitor network activity - Analyze performance - Simulate mobile devices For beginners, learning to use DevTools effectively is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. It helps you understand how web pages are constructed and how to troubleshoot issues. ## Conclusion These tools will not only help you become a better Software Engineer but will also make your development process more efficient and enjoyable. Remember that the best tool is the one that works for you and your specific needs, so don't be afraid to try different options until you find your perfect setup. Happy coding!