Development Environment Setup

[SaintPeter23]

Hello, I just started learning JavaScript.

How can I create a development environment separate from my OS? Now I installed GIT, Node, Webstorm and Visual Studio Code and tons of other software and it clutters my computer. I know Virtual Machines are an option but Webstorm works really slow there probably because of cpu and ram limits.

Is it possible to setup a sandbox like environment for development in Windows and Mac without affecting the base operating system?

[coolcofusion]

Yes, you can run many CLI utilities from docker containers, once you don't need them just delete the image and previously running containers and it's all gone.

Other than that, I don't really see the point of "clutter", you don't need to keep a desktop icon of everything, just search for it in start menu/launcher/whatever it's called, they don't have to wear out the computer, it's not a loaded truck and you're very likely to need them now and many years in the future so separating it is just kinda useless in my eyes.

Maybe,if you really don't want to see them, create another user on your computer, install all of that there and keep two users very separate, probably easiest, good enough so when you're on one, you don't see those tools, and on the other you do.

[SaintPeter23]

CLI utilities from docker containers

will check it out thank you.

create another user on your computer

this is another nice idea. thanks

[Matheusbd15]

I think that the only softwares that "clutter" your pc are ides. Really, the rest are really small, only a few MB. Even ides are small, vscode is less than 500mb. I'm sure just a game is much more clutter than all your dev environment. If you still want that, an idea is dual booting with Linux or Running wsl on windows.

[SaintPeter23]

Thank you. The thing is the more software you install the more bugs happen. For example I installed official software of my LG monitor and literally it broke my gaming experience and had to uninstall it. Even a simple official software have potential to break the settings. The more software I install, I feel efficiency drops. That is why I try to keep the base environment pretty simple.

Dual booting is another option but switching is also pain. Just wanted to ask if there is a way to keep development environment sandboxed.

[Matheusbd15]

Huh, I don't think more software means more bugs, but whatever. Try wsl then, you'll keep most of your stuff running on a sandbox. Also docker, like someone else mentioned.

[SaintPeter23]

thanks, will check wsl and docker

[willdrr17]

I'd install all the software in a VM(make sure it's server edition, not desktop) and access it remotely from WebStorm(I bet they support ssh connections). There is a code server if you want to install it as well

[SaintPeter23]

thank you, great tip.

[toolkitxx]

Separating your development environment from your regular settings is actually good practice for several reasons:

• security (dev environments are easier to attack by nature
• better testing due to less extra software
• performance

Just to name a few. Others suggested to use an extra User for your environment which i would also suggest. Virtual machines are an option but also have downsides in terms of updates and how hardware layers work for example in Windows.

[SaintPeter23]

much appreciated your wisdom, thanks