My current development environment

My work environment changed in the last year, consequently my development environment too. Daily I alternate between a MacBook and a Windows desktop, but still use Linux on servers. I spent years on Linux desktop; Slackware, Debian, then Ubuntu, I still like the flexibility, but found in macOS a good balance between Unix and an interface that is plug and play. Windows enters by client requirement and because of Oracle tools and corporate VPNs.

I mainly program in PHP, Java and PL/SQL on the back-end, with JavaScript, HTML and CSS on the front. On Mac, NetBeans covers Java and PHP with debugging and integration with Git and SVN; TextMate stays for quick edits and Flex Builder still has space when ActionScript appears. On Windows, I usually use Notepad++, JDeveloper and SQL Developer in Oracle world and, when needed, Flex Builder for RIAs.

I work a lot via SSH so the terminal is always in use. On Mac, keys configured and everything flows. For graphical SFTP I use Fugu. On Windows, PuTTY with Pageant solves connections and WinSCP helps with transfers. For versioning, I continue with SVN on some clients, using TortoiseSVN works well in Explorer and command line on the rest. When I need something more visual on Mac, I turn to Cornerstone.

In support and workflow organization, I maintain a simple help desk for clients to register requests, use Bugzilla for bug tracking with history, and ClockingIT for deadlines, priorities and times. In communication the constant use here is GTalk and Skype for calls, corporate email we use Exchange and personal I use GAPPS. Browsers I use as needed: Firefox for development, Chrome for performance, Safari for testing in Apple ecosystem and Internet Explorer for compatibility.

On the physical side, two screens make a real difference, comfortable keyboard and mouse that doesn’t tire the arm. In the background, the rule I most respect is simplicity. Tools are means, not ends. The less distraction and more predictability, the better the result will be.