"I am Saqib Jahangir. A passionate vlogger, software engineer, and avid traveler with a deep love for exploring the hidden gems of our beautiful planet. With a strong foundation in Application Development, Application Architecture & Database Design and Product Management, I bring over a decade of hands-on experience building secure, scalable, and resilient web applications for a diverse range of industries."

Tools You’ll Need as a Web Developer

 🔧 Tools You’ll Need as a Web Developer (Code Editor, Browser, Local Server like XAMPP)

Before diving into web development, it’s essential to set up the right tools. These tools help you write, test, and debug your code efficiently. Below are the basic tools every web developer should start with:


📝 1. Code Editor

A code editor is where you'll write your HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and more.

Popular Code Editors:

  • Visual Studio Code (VS Code) – Free, powerful, and widely used.
  • Sublime Text – Lightweight and fast with a smooth interface.
  • Atom – Open-source and beginner-friendly.

Why It Matters:

  • Syntax highlighting
  • Code completion
  • Extensions and plugins to improve workflow

🌐 2. Web Browser

A browser lets you view and test your websites.

Popular Browsers for Developers:

  • Google Chrome – Offers powerful developer tools.
  • Mozilla Firefox – Great performance and dev tools.
  • Microsoft Edge – Chromium-based, compatible with most sites.

Developer Tools:
Right-click any webpage and select "Inspect" or press F12 to open DevTools – use it to debug HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.


⚙️ 3. Local Server (e.g., XAMPP)

For backend development (like PHP and MySQL), you’ll need a local server environment.

What is XAMPP?
XAMPP is a free, open-source local server stack that includes:

  • Apache – The server software.
  • MySQL – The database system.
  • PHP – The scripting language.
  • phpMyAdmin – A GUI to manage your MySQL databases.

Why Use a Local Server?

  • Run dynamic websites (PHP, WordPress)
  • Test locally without uploading files to a web host
  • Simulate real server behavior on your own computer

Other Alternatives:

  • WAMP (Windows only)
  • MAMP (Mac and Windows)
  • Laragon, Local by Flywheel, or Docker for advanced setups

🧰 Bonus Tools You’ll Love

  • Git & GitHub – For version control and collaboration
  • Browser Extensions like:
    • ColorPick Eyedropper (for colors)
    • WhatFont (for fonts)
    • Web Developer Toolbar

Conclusion

To build websites, you don’t need to spend money on expensive tools. Start with:

  • A good code editor (like VS Code)
  • A modern browser (like Chrome)
  • A local server like WAMP or XAMPP for backend work

Once you master these, your development journey will be smoother and more productive!

 

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