5. Developer tools that I use
Tags: beginners, productivity, opensource, linux
Published: 2020-10-08 15:02:56

Every developer has their own routines and of course their own tool set.,This depends also which programming language do you work with and which computer operating system.

In my case I use mostly open source related programs and Linux 🐧. I try different Linux distributions from Ubuntu up to Slackware over Arch Linux. But my favorite Linux distribution is openSUSE.

The tools next to IDE´s sometimes are very limited on Linux machines, especially if you want only use open source or free tools. But the community is still growing, also through **Hacktober Fest 2020**. And more and more great tools are released every month. So big thanks to all the developers: 

Let's start with my Tool Set 2020:

1.  [Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/)

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/3zkb61ze6036vj5soilf.jpg)

When it comes to **Python** programming I use the IDE  Visual Studio Code. I tried a lot of different IDEs like [Atom](https://atom.io/) , [Brackets](http://brackets.io/) or [Eclipse](https://www.eclipse.org/). But i love customization and with VS Code you can change mostly everything on this IDE. 

Visual Studio Code can be customized with different extensions and packages, very similar to Atom. Also you can change the whole IDE if you want. Its written in **JavaScript** and **Typescript**. Visual Studio Code is Published unter the [MIT-License](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIT_License).

2. [Eclipse](https://www.eclipse.org/)

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/si0fkvyzcnwmrlnidml3.PNG)

As i mentioned it before and in other Articles, next to **R, Python** I code **C++**. I'm currently on a certification progress for C++.  Eclipse can also be used for **Java** programming too. With some extensions you get a proper C++ IDE with Eclipse and its also open source. 

Eclipse is written in **Java** and published under the [EPL License](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclipse_Public_License). 


3. [QOwnNotes](https://www.qownnotes.org/)

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/y0c6a30w4e09n25kh6ds.png)

Documentation next to programming is also important. To find a good Tool on Linux with native **Markdown** support and open source is als not very easy. In the past the choice was very limited. But over time, better and better tools will appear, especially for Linux users. QOwnNotes has an build in **OwnCloud** and **NextCloud** Support. I use it with **Dropbox**.

I also tried most of them, from [Joplin](https://joplinapp.org/), [Standard Notes](https://standardnotes.org/), [Noteable](https://github.com/notable/notable), [Inkdrop](https://www.inkdrop.app/), [Simple Note](https://simplenote.com/), [Laverna](https://laverna.cc/), [Boost Note](https://boostnote.io/), [Obsidian](https://obsidian.md/) up to [Dynalist](https://dynalist.io/) etc. But most doesn't had the features i wanted.  


4. [GitKraken](https://gitahead.github.io/gitahead.com/)

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/uudba4cpfrk96r7aqs2f.png)

**GitKraken** is the only program which one is not open source . Its an GitHub Desktop Client like **GitHub Desktop**.I also tried other applications like [GitAhead](https://gitahead.github.io/gitahead.com/), [GitHub Desktop](https://desktop.github.com/), [Tower](https://www.git-tower.com/mac), [Fork](https://git-fork.com/) and [SourceTree](https://www.sourcetreeapp.com/). Most of them have a Free License or works only on macOS or Windows. I choose **GitKraken** over **GitAhead** because the User Interface is better and the commits and branches are represented better. 
 
 As a Linux user its also possible to use Git via Command line. I goes this also very often, but when it comes to large projects with a lot of colleagues than its not very practical in my opinion.  
 
 5. [NeoVim](https://neovim.io/)

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/ptz614ls1kvfutn9mxxn.png)

I use **NeoVim** as my main editor on Linux. I started with the "normal" **Vim** but after a time i wanted more like syntax highlighting. NeoVim support this and its retains a full backward compatibility to Vim.  I use **openSUSE** and the editor **Kate** doensn't have the same Features than NeoVim. I also tried **Emacs**, yes if you can beat the steep learning curve and when you like a Not User Friendly UI, than its perfect for you :D

And yes, i love the [Dracula-Theme](https://draculatheme.com/)🧛‍♂️