Top 9 Essential Tools Every Software Developer Needs to Know

The software market is growing rapidly. Developers need more than skills to build efficient software. Many software development tools are available on the online market that help a software developer efficiently carry out all the required tasks. This blog will explore 9 essential tools useful for software developers and software development teams.

Need for Software Development Tools

Software developers use computer programs to create software, which is also called software development tools. These tools help create, debug, manage, and support applications, frameworks, systems, and other programs.

Following are some examples of software development tools:

• Code editors

• GUI designers

• Performance analysis tools

• Assemblers

• Compilers

• Linkers

These tools are also known as programming tools and web development tools. Sometimes, a single tool can perform multiple tasks. For instance, a single tool can act as a code editor, a performance analysis tool, and a compiler. But at times, you might have to purchase multiple tools to cover each function.

9 Essential Software Development Tools List

Here is a list of the best software development platforms to check out. We will look at their key features and benefits.

1. VSCode

About this tool

VS Code, or Visual Studio Code, is an open-source code editor popular among developers. It was developed by Microsoft and is less complex. It is designed to create and debug web and cloud applications.

Features

• Code editing allows you to build code.

• IntelliSense lets a developer debug while editing.

• It has built-in Git extensions.

• Other extensions to add new language, themes, and debuggers.

Benefits

• Open source

• Simple

• Multi-language support

• Customisable

2. Postman

About this tool

Postman is a development tool for API (application programming interface) development. It helps build, test, and modify APIs. This tool compiles all the functionalities required by a developer. It can make various HTTP requests like GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, etc. This helps save environments for later use. It can also convert the API to code for various languages (like JavaScript and Python).

Features

• Easily accessible to use from anywhere by simply logging in on a device.

• It allows the building of collections for API where every set can create multiple requests.

• Verification of HTTP response status can be added to test development.

• It can debug the test and track what data is being retrieved.

Benefits

• Easy-to-use

• Workflow control

• Monitors for regression testing

• Built-in libraries

• Collaboration features

3. GitKraken

About this tool

GitKraken is a cross-platform Git client (also known as a Git GUI). It provides a simplified experience for developers working with GitHub repositories. GitKraken combines Git’s control capabilities with a visually appealing user interface, making complex Git operations more accessible and efficient.

Features

• User-friendly experience to understand the easy-to-use interface.

• Collaboration features to track, manage, and squish bugs without leaving the interface.

• Improved branch management and visualisation.

• Integration and extensions to ensure switching between the apps is easy.

Benefits

• Visual commit graph to provide an interactive way to watch commit history.

• The built-in text editor allows you to edit the files directly from the app.

• Predictive merge conflict alerts to help you avoid conflicts before they happen.

• You can connect your repositories to various project management tools such as Jira, Trello, GitKraken Boards, and GitLab Issues.

• Cross-platform compatibility to ensure consistent experience across all platforms and operating systems.

4. DBeaver

About this tool

DBeaver is an open-source, graphical database management tool for developers. It can create and manage databases across a wide range of database management systems. It works on almost all databases and various platforms, such as Windows, Mac, Linux, and Solaris.

Features

• Graphical User Interface (GUI) to see a list of databases and their objects and select from the menu.

• Data editing directly within the table.

• The SQL editor enables you to create ad hoc SQL queries.

• Database-specific features that can be used on specific databases only.

Benefits

• Free of cost

• Easy-to-use

• Various appearance themes

• Data editing on the go

• Cloud data source support

• Can work with various extensions for integration with Excel and Git

5. Excalidraw

About this tool

Excalidraw is an open-source whiteboard tool that enables developers to create drawings, diagrams, and mind maps. It simplifies the drawing process and does not have complicated toolbars or menus.

Features

• Multiple people can draw simultaneously with the help of a real-time collaboration feature.

• It does not have complicated toolbars and menus, making it simple for the users.

• It provides various drawing tools, including lines, rectangles, circles, arrows, etc.

• It allows developers to export drawings in PNG, SVG, and PDF formats.

• Excalidraw’s open-source project feature allows developers to use, modify, and distribute it.

Benefits

• Simple interface with no complicated toolbars and menus.

• The hand-drawn feature enables developers to add a personal touch.

• Range of drawing tools to create visually appealing diagrams.

• A vast library of shapes and icons.

6. GitHub

About this tool

GitHub is one of the most popular interface tools among developers. It is a web-based interface that allows real-time collaborations. With its collaboration feature, a team can work together on the same project to develop codes, build web pages, and update content. It enables one to track changes and navigate revisions easily.

Features

• It allows you to create, store, merge, and collaborate on files and projects.

• Any member can access the repository.

• Make edits or changes that other collaborators can see.

• Enables others to coordinate, share, and collaborate codes on different platforms.

Benefits

• Easy to use

• Encourages collaboration

• Documentation and support

7. Selenium

About this tool

Selenium is an open-source automation tool for testing applications. It works across various browsers and platforms. Selenium enables the creation of automated test cases and supports multiple programming languages like Java, Python, and C#. Selenium IDE records user interactions, and WebDriver performs tests.

Features

• Cross-platform compatibility ensures consistency across all platforms and environments.

• It supports multiple programming languages like Java, C#, Python, Ruby, etc.

• Its web element interaction feature allows you to perform actions like clicking buttons, filling out forms, selecting dropdowns, etc.

• Automation testing allows you to record and playback the interactions and generate scripts.

Benefits

• Speed: Automation can speed up the testing process.

• Accuracy: It provides consistent test execution.

• Scalability: It allows test cases to be modified and reused, making it scalable.

• Cost-effective: There is no need for expensive manual testing.

• Reliability: It removes inconsistencies to make it reliable.

8. PyCharm

About this tool

PyCharm is developed by JetBrains and is Python IDE. It offers a range of tools to help developers write better Python codes faster. PyCharm supports a variety of Python frameworks with its clean and intuitive interface. It also supports various Python tools and libraries.

Features

• It provides code completion, syntax highlighting, and code formatting features.

• PyCharm can analyse code and suggest improvements.

• It has a built-in debugger that allows inspecting quickly.

• It can integrate with various version control systems like Git, GitHub, SVN, and Mercurial.

• It helps to manage your projects and deploy them to various platforms.

Benefits

• Productivity: It helps save time by automating many tasks and providing intelligent tools and shortcuts.

• Quality: PyCharm improves the quality of your code by detecting bugs and fixing errors.

• Versatility: It supports all the Python applications and frameworks.

9. Google App Script

About this tool

Google Apps Script is a cloud-based scripting language for Google Apps. It is one of the most popular programming languages among the developers. The Apps Script written on the browser gets executed on Google’s servers.

Features

• Familiar interface like Google’s other apps.

• Setup and configuration are not required as they can be done on a web browser.

• It helps you build valuable tools immediately.

• It is based on the earlier version of JavaScript.

Benefits

• Good documentation and resources

• Good for beginners who want to learn coding

• Free to use

Also read our researched article: A look into the future of web development – trends to keep an eye on this year

Conclusion

Software developers need to tackle many issues with their programming. Having the tools mentioned above at hand can make their lives easier. Knowing which tool to use when a part of a skill can be learned over time. Software developers can save more time wasted on debugging and proofing their codes from errors. The tools have built-in testing and debugging features, allowing developers to save time and manage projects.

Help from the experts at GrowthJockey can ensure a smooth coding process. Growth Jockey can provide solutions on how to ensure efficient programming with various tools and craft a strategy to grow your business.

FAQs

1. Why is it important to use AI tools in software development?

AI tools help in software development by providing templates, automating repetitive tasks, and saving time by debugging the code while editing. These tools are cost-effective and can eliminate the risk of errors in a code.

2. How can a developer save time while writing a program?

Many software development tools allow developers to edit code while writing. These tools can save time by suggesting edits and testing the code in real time. This makes it easier for developers, as they do not have to run the code after writing.

3. Can startups use software development tools?

Yes, startups and established organisations can invest in software development tools to facilitate coding.