Install Your Tools

Proficiency in web and software development requires not just a grasp of programming languages but also familiarity with a wide assortment of tools and technologies designed to help you create software and share it with the world.

This boot camp will introduce you to many such tools, some or all of which might be new to you—but believe it or not, they'll soon be as familiar to you as your email or an app on your phone.

In this module of the pre-start guide, we'll summarize the required tools and technologies for this course, then help you install them before your first day of class.

Ready for Action

Before you continue with the prework, you'll need the following items:

  • A macOS or Windows laptop with 8 GB RAM and 64-bit dual processor

Note: You cannot use Linux in this course.

  • Webcam, microphone, and headphones

  • An external monitor compatible with laptop or desktop (recommended but not required)

  • High-speed internet connection (minimum download speed of 25 Mbps and minimum upload speed of 5 Mbps)

If you don't already have a GitHub account, create one on the GitHub website.

Required Software

You'll need to have these tools set up and ready for use on Day 1 of the boot camp. But first, spend time reviewing each one to better understand its role in the course:

  • Java—A class-based, object-oriented programming language used to create software for multiple platforms.

  • Java Development Kit (JDK)—A set of libraries and tools that you'll use throughout the course to create and run Java applications.

  • IntelliJ IDEA—A Java-specific integrated development environment (IDE). An IDE eases the software development process by offering tools like a code editor, a compiler, and more.

  • Homebrew—A package manager for Mac that will make installations easier.

  • Maven—A build automation tool for building and managing Java projects.

  • MySQL—A relational database management system based on Structured Query Language (SQL).

  • MySQL Workbench—A visual tool that we can use to manage SQL development, design, maintenance, and more in a single IDE.

  • Node.js—An open source, back-end runtime environment that executes JavaScript code outside a web browser and runs on various platforms.

  • Heroku CLI—A CLI used to manage Heroku apps from the command line.

  • Postman—An API platform that we'll use to test HTTP requests, obtaining various responses through a graphical user interface.

Ready, Set, Go

Now that you've gained some key background knowledge about each of your tools, you can move on to installing them! Refer to the installation guide for your operating system: