Tools and Software

A detailed guide on essential tools and software for CS majors, including GitHub, Postman, Docker, and more.

Setting Up IntelliJ IDEA

  1. Download IntelliJ IDEA from JetBrains.
  2. Install IntelliJ IDEA using the installer for your operating system.
  3. Open IntelliJ IDEA and configure the settings:
    • Select a theme (Dark or Light).
    • Configure your JDK (Java Development Kit).
    • Install plugins for languages you use, such as Python, JavaScript, or Kotlin.
  4. Create a new project by selecting "New Project" and choosing your preferred language.
  5. Familiarize yourself with IntelliJ features, such as debugging, code refactoring, and version control integration.

Setting Up Visual Studio Code

  1. Download VS Code from Microsoft.
  2. Install VS Code using the installer for your operating system.
  3. Open VS Code and install essential extensions:
    • Prettier (code formatting)
    • ESLint (linting for JavaScript/TypeScript)
    • Python (support for Python development)
    • Live Server (for HTML/CSS/JS projects)
    • GitLens (enhanced Git integration)
  4. Configure settings by navigating to "File > Preferences > Settings" and adjusting preferences like font size, theme, and tab width.
  5. Open a folder or workspace to start coding. Use the integrated terminal for Git commands or running scripts.

GitHub and Git Commands

GitHub is a version control platform that allows you to collaborate on projects and manage code repositories. Below are some common Git commands:

For more advanced Git usage, refer to the Git Documentation.

Postman

Postman is a powerful tool for API development and testing. Here's how to get started:

  1. Download and install Postman from postman.com.
  2. Create a new request by selecting "New" and choosing the type of request (e.g., GET, POST).
  3. Enter the API endpoint URL and any required parameters or headers.
  4. Click "Send" to execute the request and view the response.
  5. Save your requests to collections for reuse and organization.

Learn more by exploring Postman’s Learning Center.

Docker

Docker is a tool for creating, deploying, and running applications using containers. Here’s how to get started:

  1. Download and install Docker from docker.com.
  2. Create a `Dockerfile` to define your container's environment.
  3. Build an image using the command: 
    docker build -t my-app .
  4. Run a container using: 
    docker run -p 8080:8080 my-app
  5. Stop a running container: 
    docker stop [container-id]

Explore more at Docker's Documentation.

Additional Tools