Getting Started with Web Development: Choosing the Right Editor
What is web development?
Web development is the process of building websites and applications for the internet, or for a private network known as an intranet.
It can be broken down into three layers: client-side (front end), server-side (back end) and database technology.
Frontend refers to the interface the client sees and interacts with. The layout and design of the website is essentially what front end constitutes of.
Meanwhile, the backend refers to the developer side of the code i.e. the actual functionality of the website. Databases, of course, store any and all information may it be user data or other files and content necessary for a website to function. They are created and stored in a software (RDBMS- Relational Database Management System) such that they are easy to retrieve, organise, edit and save.
The frontend, backend and database technology all interact and work together to run a fully functional website or application.
Software Requirements
Now that you know what Web development is- comes the question how do you get started with making an actual website?
The very first ( and only ) thing you need is a code editor installed on your laptop! HTML editors make your life way easier as they have features like auto-fill, automatic indentation, syntax highlighting and so much more for your convenience.
There are a variety of options available out there, each having their own set of useful features. It is difficult to call one the “best” simply because you have to play around with different ones for yourself to figure out your preferences. However, I can help you out a little by listing the most popular editors with the best features, as of 2020:
1) Atom
Atom is a free, open-source code editor, and it was developed by the GitHub team. It supports multiple panes i.e. it can split the interface into many windows so you can compare and write code side by side. Due to a vibrant community of developers, atom also boasts of smart autocompletion and rich syntax highlighting. Moreover, it supports Teletype- which makes collaborating with other developers in real time easy. We can also work with Git and GitHub directly from Atom with the GitHub package.
However, the major reason why developers love atom is because it is editable- developers can customise the software itself. You can create your own packages to improve Atom or edit it according to your preference.
To install atom just go to this link https://atom.io/
2) Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code is a free source-code editor made by Microsoft. With it you can debug your code right from the editor. Git commands are built-in so developers can work with Git and other SCM providers while reviewing diffs, staging files, etc. from the editor.
Moreover, Live Server extension gives you a live preview of your web application which is extremely handy.
To install follow this link https://code.visualstudio.com/download
3) Sublime Text
Sublime text is another good editor that's available for free though some of its features are limited and available only with subscription.
Sublime features a powerful API and package ecosystem. It provides thousands of packages that are available and built by the community. These packages are open-source. Two excellent features in Sublime are split editing and Goto. Developers can use multiple monitors and edit different types of code simultaneously. Additionally, users can open files with a few keystrokes, by searching for symbols, lines, or words.
To download click on this link: https://www.sublimetext.com/3
Stay tuned to our page for more in web development.
Wish you happy coding!
