My Daily Toolbox: A Peek Into My Workspace 🛠️

See how I’ve developed big data and web-based solutions over the past year.

Introduction

Technology is at the heart of modern work, and the tools we use daily can significantly impact our productivity and the quality of our work.

In this blog post, I’m excited to share a glimpse of the technologies I rely on regularly to develop data and web solutions.

Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting your journey, I hope this list provides some valuable insights into the tools that power my daily workflow.

TLDR:

Top IDE: Cursor

Top Project Management: Jira

Top Framework / Language: TypeScript + React

Top Data Viz Tool: PowerBI

IDE / Code Editor

1. Visual Studio Code: Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is my go-to choice for web development. With its extensive ecosystem of extensions, I can customize my development environment to suit my needs. I particularly appreciate extensions like Prettier for code formatting and Live Server for quick previews.

2. ‘Cursor’ IDE: Cursor, as the first native AI code editor, is a standout tool that I’ve been using. It’s conceptually similar to VS Code but comes with a unique twist. Cursor seamlessly integrates with AI models like ChatGPT and GPT-4, allowing for code-related queries and even generative coding via prompts. The frequent updates and innovative features make Cursor an exceptional addition to my toolkit.

3. SQL Server: For database work, SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is my preferred choice. It’s renowned as the gold standard for SQL, offering a straightforward interface for querying and building data warehouses. While I’ve explored MySQL, I found that my productivity is highest when working with SQL Server.

Workflow / Project Management

1. Jira Service Management: Jira is a comprehensive enterprise-level project management tool that plays a pivotal role in my daily work. It enables seamless collaboration within my team, allowing us to work together on projects, leave comments, track progress, and more.

Frameworks / Languages

1. TypeScript: TypeScript, an extension of vanilla JavaScript, has proven to be a game-changer for me. Its robust error-handling capabilities and static typing system make complex JavaScript code more scalable and collaborative. Transitioning from JavaScript to TypeScript significantly expedited my workflow, making it a language I use daily.

2. MongoDB: For smaller web-based projects requiring agility, I’ve incorporated MongoDB into my database toolkit. Unlike the traditional, time-consuming process of configuring and navigating SQL Server, MongoDB’s user-friendly interface and flexible, structure-less approach provide greater flexibility. This has allowed me to reach the minimum viable product (MVP) stage more quickly.

3. React: In the world of front-end frameworks, React has consistently been my top choice. While I’ve explored other solutions like Vue and Svelte, React’s strong community support, Meta backing, and rich feature set always draw me back, especially when I’m working on projects that require scalability.

Data Visualization

1. Chart.js: When it comes to web-based data visualization, Chart.js is a go-to library. It simplifies the process of creating visually appealing charts and graphs. Getting started is incredibly easy thanks to their Content Delivery Network (CDN).

2. Qlik: Qlik Enterprise is a low-code business intelligence tool that empowers me to create data dashboards, schedule automated reports, gain valuable user insights, and enable in-depth data analysis using Qlik’s cutting-edge associative engine. This engine thoroughly examines data models and provides insights into where users should focus their analysis.

3. PowerBI: As a leader in low-code business intelligence solutions from Microsoft, PowerBI offers an extensive feature set, straightforward data modeling, and a user-friendly interface. Its layout is familiar to end-users, resembling the layout of Microsoft Excel.

Conclusion

In the dynamic world of technology, the tools we choose to work with can significantly impact our productivity and the quality of our work.

As I continue my journey in data and web development, these technologies have become invaluable parts of my daily routine. I hope this overview of my tech toolbox proves valuable to you, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your journey.

Embrace the tools that make your work more efficient and enjoyable, and never stop exploring new ones to stay at the forefront of the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Nick

Remarks