You do not need an expensive computer to learn to code, but a little preparation saves a lot of frustration. Use this checklist before you start a programme.
1. The computer
- A laptop or desktop, not only a phone. You can read and watch on a phone, but you need a full computer to write and run code.
- 8 GB of RAM or more is recommended for web development tools. 4 GB can work for beginner exercises but will feel slow.
- Windows, macOS or Linux are all fine. On Windows, installing WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) gives you the same command line most developers use.
- Free disk space: aim for at least 20 GB.
2. Internet and power
Live classes need a stable connection. If your power or internet is unreliable, plan a backup: a power bank or UPS for your router, a mobile data plan, and downloading materials ahead of time.
3. Free tools to install
- A modern browser such as Chrome or Firefox, with its developer tools.
- Visual Studio Code, a free code editor used by many professionals.
- Git, for saving versions of your code, plus a free GitHub account.
- Node.js (LTS version) for JavaScript projects, and Python 3 for scripting and data work.
4. Habits that help
- Make one folder, such as
~/code, for all your projects. - Learn a few keyboard shortcuts in your editor. They add up quickly.
- Turn on automatic updates, and back up your work to GitHub.
If you join a Virexa programme, we help you set up your tools in the first week, so do not worry if something does not work first time.
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