What do you think this image is saying? How does it relate to or comment on society or current events? Can you relate to it personally? What is your opinion of its message?
Tell us in the comments, then read the related article to learn more.
Learn more about Picture Prompts here and find all of our prompts in this column.
Students 13 and older in the United States and the United Kingdom, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.
On TikTok, young people with glowing skin can be seen sipping magic green potions. After adding a few drops of liquid chlorophyll to glasses of water, they drink, and poof! Their complexions clear, their tummies become less bloated, their body odor improves, all typically within a week.
The claims about the seemingly endless powers of chlorophyll are not new, only the social media platforms for making them are. Yet the messaging is as powerful as ever.
… “We don’t have the evidence behind it being efficacious for any of these indications,” Dr. Gardner said. “It’s not to say that, maybe anecdotally, there are certain people who will benefit because it’s not generally a harmful thing. But I think to portray it as this anticancer, antioxidant, deodorizing, constipation-fixing, pancreatic-curing medicine is not genuine.”
Daily Word Challenge
Can you correctly use the word efficacious in a sentence?
Based on the definition and example provided, write a sentence using today’s Word of the Day and share it as a comment on this article. It is most important that your sentence makes sense and demonstrates that you understand the word’s definition, but we also encourage you to be creative and have fun.
Then, read some of the other sentences students have submitted and use the “Recommend” button to vote for two original sentences that stand out to you.
If you want a better idea of how efficacious can be used in a sentence, read these usage examples on Vocabulary.com.
Thanks to feedback from teachers, this school year we hope to occasionally publish Lessons of the Day that are more streamlined and accessible than usual. This is our second such lesson; you can find the first here. Let us know what you think.
Lesson Overview
Featured Article: “I Found Myself at Band Camp” by Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet, Josephine Sedgwick and Zachary Woolfe
In this lesson, you will learn all about band camps — places where young people go to share and develop their musical talents — and what makes them fun and special. Then you will dream of the perfect camp and share your ideas with your class.
Warm-Up
Have you ever attended a camp of any kind? Did you like it? Hate it? What did you get from the experience?
Make two lists. On one, list at least three things that you liked about camp. On the other, list at least three things that you didn’t like.
If you have never gone to camp, answer these questions instead: Would you ever want to go to a camp? Why or why not?
After you finish writing, share your answers with a partner. If you made lists, are there any similarities?
Vocabulary
Here are 10 words you’ll find in this article that you may not know:
You might also come across several names of musicians and musical instruments while reading the article. Beethoven, Barber, Mendelssohn Mozart and Liszt are all classical music composers, and the clarinet, oboe and trombone are all musical instruments.
Questions for Writing and Discussion
Read the piece (online or as a printable PDF. Please note that as a PDF it is missing a short video GIF.). Then answer the following questions.
1. Before you look at the photographs or read the article, what do you expect to see? What kinds of images do you think an article called “I Found Myself at Band Camp” will have? Why?
3. What do you think makes this band camp a special place? List or describe three things you see in the photos that might answer that question.
4. The article includes many quotes from young people who attend this camp. Which quotes grab your attention most and why?
5. The Times journalists write: “Summer is a time of exploration and self-discovery for all kinds of young people. But for budding musicians, band and orchestra camp can be especially transformative.” Have you ever had a powerful summer experience — in or out of camp — where you grew, changed or “found yourself”?
6. Would you want to go to this band camp? Why, or why not?
Going Further
Option 1. Create a slide show about a summer experience — whether at camp or somewhere else.
The Times journalists created a slide show with photos and text to capture the joys of band camp. Now, it’s your turn! Choose a few photos from one of your camp or summer experiences and write one to three sentences about it. You might use your lists from the warm-up activity to help you brainstorm what to write.
What was fun or special about it? What kinds of activities did you do? What did you learn or get from the experience? What would have made it better?
Option 2. Imagine the perfect camp.
Cartooning? Dance? Video gaming? A week of hiking in the woods? What would your dream camp be?
What kinds of activities or theme would you want at your camp? Where would it be located? Would it be a day camp or sleep-away camp? What kinds of kids would it be best for? Why would it be the perfect camp for you?
Your plans might look like this:
My Perfect Camp:
The theme of my perfect camp would be video games.
It would be held for two weeks in the summer somewhere in the woods — but it would need fast internet so we could play our games online!
The camp would be for gamers but also any kid who wanted to learn more about video games.
Camp would end with a big tournament to see who was the best video game player.
It would be the perfect camp because I love video games but most adults say I play too much, so finally I would be in a place where everyone would get it and get me.
Learn more about Lesson of the Day here and find all of our daily lessons in this column.
“Little girl, slow down!” a startled member of the ski patrol yelled after me as I sped past him and sailed down the hill.
“But it feels good!” I yelled back at him over my shoulder as I stuck to my course, according to my parents, who remember the incident.
I was 5 years old. From the time my dad first strapped my little boots on skis, when I was just 18 months old, skiing was my safe haven. Throughout my childhood, it was the thing I truly excelled at and could do effortlessly. Like I told the ski patrol guy that day — it just felt good.
And I was fast. At age 14, I made the United States Telemark Ski Association’s development team, and I went on to join the World Cup team. At 16, on my home mountain, Steamboat Springs in Colorado, in front of my family and friends, I won a World Cup race.
Then I quit.
Skiing almost broke me. And I’m far from the only athlete with a story like this. Elite competitors past and present are starting to speak up about a reality that some coaches, doctors and sports associations have ignored or even intentionally covered up: World-class competitive sports can push children and young adults to the breaking point and sometimes beyond. It’s not just a few bad apples; it’s a culture singularly focused upon winning at all costs, a culture that sometimes disregards the mental and physical health of athletes.
The gymnast Simone Biles reignited this conversation at the Tokyo Olympics by showing the strength and grace to know when to step back and not compete. In doing so, she also showed us a path toward healthier sports. Now we — athletes, viewers, teams and sports associations — need to do our part to stop the shaming and better safeguard young athletes’ safety, health and futures.
I wish someone had gathered the courage to do what Biles did when I was still competing, because I sure didn’t. Skiing made me special. “You’re Zoë, the skier,” people would say. So when thoughts of quitting the sport cropped up, I pushed them down. Take away skiing, and poof — there goes special. I would just be Zoë. And who was Zoë without skiing? An awkward, average girl who was too nerdy to be cool, not seen as smart enough to be a nerd and too weird for everything else. So I skied.
Have you ever felt too much pressure to win, or to be “the best”? If so, when?
Is competition a big part of your life? In what settings — like school, sports and extracurricular activities — do you compete?
Do you think as a society we pose unhealthy pressure around the idea of “winning” — whether on or off the playing field? In what ways can pressure to win be valuable? In what ways can it be limiting?
Ms. Ruhl says that because her sport was a part of her identity, she found it harder to quit. Have you ever felt like your identity was tied to something you excelled at?
What is your reaction to high-profile athletes like Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka choosing to step back from competition, citing the need to prioritize their physical and mental health?
What are some sources of pressure that Biles and Osaka face as elite athletes? What about the pressure that you have experienced? Are there any sources in common?
Have you ever chosen to step back from competition? Why or why not?
Ms. Ruhl suggests changing the “structures, demands and expectations” placed on young athletes. Do you agree? If so, how would you change them? What advice would you give parents and coaches?
How do ants avoid traffic jams? Why do ants go to war? What makes them such good architects?
From 2013 to 2019, The Times regularly published weekly ScienceTake videos, short films that combined cutting-edge research from the world of science with stunning footage of the natural world in action. Over this span, The Times created nearly a dozen films on ants. Choose one film to watch below and then respond to the following prompts:
What new things did you learn about ants? What moments stood out? What did you find most fascinating or surprising? How did the video add to or change your understanding or perspective on the life and behavior of ants? What questions do you still have about the tiny creatures we share our world with?
Option 3: “Let Us Now Praise Other Small Things”— photograph something overlooked because of its size.
What things do you take for granted because of their size or ubiquity — sidewalks and roads, telephone or electrical lines, the blades of grass beneath your feet, the clusters of clouds above you?
Photograph something around you that is overlooked because of its physical size or distance. Just as Mr. Niga does with his photos of ants, consider how you can make the familiar unfamiliar, the strange intimate or the ordinary extraordinary.
Then, add some supporting and explanatory text: What is it about the size or distance of these objects that makes them easy to overlook? What role do they play in your life and in our world? Why should we stop to notice and appreciate them?
The answers to the Warm-Up quiz: 1) d; 2) d; 3) b; 4) c; 5) c
Learn more about Lesson of the Day here and find all of our daily lessons in this column.
Most of us would like to save money, whether it’s for a new car, new home, your child’s education, a holiday, or just a rainy day fund. But then life gets in the way. If you think saving money is difficult, you’re not alone! According to a 2017 survey by GoBankingRates, 46% of people have no savings at all!
Yes, savings can be tough, but sometimes, all it takes is that first step in the right direction that will get things moving the way you want it to. These 10 practical tips can help you take control of your finances and save more!
1. Create a budget
Instead of trying to recall where your whole month’s salary went, write it all down before your expenses begin. A budget should tell you where the money needs to go, rather than where it all went. Make a financial action plan for each month and stick to it.
2. Pack lunches for work
Over a weekend, make a meal plan for the next week. By shopping according to your plan, it will cut down those little food expenses that crop up during the week. Cooking your own meals is not only good for your pockets, but your health as well. Commit your cash towards a healthy diet, and save!
3. DIY – Do It Yourself
Be it for beauty treatments, or fixing a broken wall clock at home, the internet is filled with so many DIY tips! DIY is basically things that you can do yourself at home, rather than paying someone else to do it. Gaining new skills + Saving money = A win-win!
4. Grocery shop smart
Shopping smart means knowing the prices of different stores, buying things only when needed, and stocking up for the whole week. By creating an effective shopping list and avoiding psychological traps (like buy one and get another for half price), you will save quite a few bucks. You can even take it a step further by growing your own greens, instead of buying packaged vegetables!
5. Exercise at home
You’re into physical fitness and have a gym membership, great! But there are other ways to exercise and save money. From Yoga to regular fitness routines, you can accomplish your fitness goals from the comfort of your home.
6. Compare insurance
House, car, life – whichever type of insurance you have, don’t just renew it every year. Once in six months or a year, take some time out and shop around to see if you could be getting better rates with a different company.
7. Have a financial goal
One of the best ways to save money is to set a goal. Having a goal like investing in a house, or paying off your debts, can keep you focused towards saving money. Each time you spend you will think of your end goal, which will motivate you to cut down on unnecessary expenses. Each time you save, you will know exactly what you’re saving for, keeping your end goal on track.
8. Pay in cash
Studies show that people tend to spend more when using a credit or a debit card because it doesn’t give them the sense of excessive spending. When you carry cash, you will stick to spending whatever you have in your pockets. When this becomes a habit, you will plan your expenses ahead of time and carry limited cash based on your needs, giving no room for unnecessary expenses.
9. Pick the right tools to save money
Research and choose finance tools that suit your goal, to help you get the highest interest rates from your savings. For example, if it’s a short-term savings goal, a savings deposit account can lock in your money for a specific time period. If it’s a long-term goal, securities such as stocks or mutual funds might work for you.
10. Seasonal smart shop
Buy things when they are least in demand, for the best price. For example, buy cold-weather clothes in Summer, and vice versa. January is the best time to buy Christmas decorations, and November is a great shopping month with Black Friday deals. Avoid buying jewellery during the Christmas season when it’s more expensive than usual.
Software Testers can earn as much as $85,000 a year — in many cases without writing a single line of code. The driver behind the nice paycheck? Like all systems people and companies depend on, software needs to be tested both during development and after its release.
Keep reading to learn what’s involved in software testing, why it’s important, how it fits into the development process, and the languages you can learn to land the best software testing positions.
What is software testing?
Software testing refers to the process of verifying and evaluating the function of a software application or product. It’s used to reduce or eliminate bugs and minimize the amount of money a company must invest in addressing issues and releasing updates.
In some cases, Software Testers are called in to improve a program’s performance — even if it doesn’t have any noticeable bugs. In short, Software Testers are crucial because they help optimize software, profit, and processes.
Why is software testing important?
Software testing is important because the impact of untested or underperforming software can have a trickle-down or domino effect on thousands of users and employees.
For example, if a web application that sells a product works too slowly, customers may get impatient and buy a similar product elsewhere. Or, if a database within an application outputs the wrong information for a search query, people may lose trust in the website or company in general.
Software Testers help prevent these kinds of corporate faux pas. Plus, software testing can help ensure the safety of users or those impacted by its use, particularly if an application is used to run a critical element of a town or city’s infrastructure.
What role does software testing play in software engineering?
In the software engineering process, testing is a key element of the development lifecycle. In a waterfall development system, Software Testers may be called in after an application has been created to see if it has any bugs and how it performs. The Testers’ feedback is critical to the process because it helps engineers fine-tune the end product.
In a DevOps environment, software testing is often done at various stages of development because the DevOps system relies on constant feedback. In this development framework, Testers may assess a certain aspect of the software’s function according to the team’s current phase of development.
For example, if a web app needs to integrate well with mobile devices, one group of Software Testers may focus on the app’s performance on iOS and Android devices, while another group of Testers checks how it performs on macOS or Windows.
Similarly, granular elements of an application can be run through tests. This can include how well it processes information from interactive databases or the flow and feel of the user interface.
The input from Testers can make it easier and faster to fine-tune key elements of an application’s performance, particularly from the perspective of an end-user.
What are the different types of software testing?
There are several types of software testing, each requiring varying degrees of specificity. Here’s a list of some of the most common:
Usability testing
Usability testing involves figuring out how well the system works when a customer uses it for a specific task. A usability test can be performed on one or a combination of tasks to see how the programming functions in different scenarios.
Acceptance testing
Acceptance testing involves checking to make sure the system works as it’s supposed to. While this may involve a general test of several functions, it can also focus on a specific set, especially if one type of user tends to use the software in a particular fashion.
For instance, imagine an app is used by several people working in a factory. It might include a feature that aligns existing inventory with customer orders, pointing out any discrepancies. It also might show an item’s status in the manufacturing process, including its current station or even who’s working on it. One acceptance test can be done for each of these functions.
Regression testing
Regression testing is meant to assess the impact of new features that get added to an application. At times, a new feature may interfere with one that’s already proven effective.
This kind of feedback can help engineers adjust how each feature interacts with the program’s dependencies — or decide which features to alter.
Integration testing
Integration testing aims to figure out how well different components of the app work with each other. Each element of an app requires different resources, and sometimes they can compete with each other in ways that hurt functionality. Integration testing can reveal these kinds of weaknesses.
Unit testing
A unit refers to the smallest component of an application that can be tested. Unit testing attempts to see how different components perform in isolation. This gives engineers a view into how well their code executes from a specific, granular perspective.
Functional testing
Functional testing brings real-world scenarios into the mix. Through functional testing, engineers can see how software accomplishes specific, intended purposes.
For instance, an app may be designed to integrate a customer relationship management (CRM) solution with an email system. In this case, functional testing may be used to see:
If the email application is opened when an employee clicks on someone’s email address in the CRM.
Which app it defaults to.
If the “To” field is automatically populated.
Stress testing
Stress testing is in some ways the opposite of functional testing. During a stress test, your only job is to figure out if and how the app breaks when put under stress. In most situations, a stress test will not imitate a real-world scenario, as is the case with functional testing.
Performance testing
Performance testing is similar to stress testing, but your objective is to see how much load the app can take in a real-world scenario. Like stress testing, if the app were to malfunction, this would provide valuable data to the dev team.
For example, a team may run performance testing on how well a shopping cart functions during a peak buying season, such as during the holidays. They could simulate many user requests for purchases simultaneously and observe how the app handles them.
What are some software testing strategies?
Regardless of the kind of testing performed, the development team will first establish a base set of requirements. Outlining the essential functions the application has to perform in any given situation — as well as the parameters that are considered “acceptable” — provides important benchmarks for evaluation. This is a key element to any testing strategy.
There are also two specific techniques used to assess the stability and performance of software: black-box and white-box testing. Each offers a different perspective into how well the coding holds up.
Black-box testing: This involves testing software without looking at what’s inside — the coding, systems, and dependencies.
White-box testing: With white-box testing, the aim is to examine the structure within the application, looking at the inner workings of the app, as opposed to how it functions overall.
Which programming languages do you need to know to be a Software Tester?
Even if you don’t write any code as a Software Tester, in many cases, you still have to be able to read it. As a Software Tester, your job involves more than clicking buttons and tabs. You have to be able to examine code and look for potential issues or see what may have caused an error or malfunction.
Here are some languages you should learn to maximize your job prospects as a Software Tester:
C#. Using our Learn C# course, you can get familiar with the popular Microsoft language and how it’s used to create sites, apps, and games.
Python. Using our Learn Python 3 course, you can see how many of the world’s most popular apps run, making it easier to bring value to the table as a Tester.
Regardless of the kind of Software Tester you want to be, we can provide you with the foundational knowledge you’ll need to help dev teams meet their goals. In this way, you’ll play a crucial role in the development process, helping create useable, effective products for end-users.
If you’ve been considering front-end engineering as a career option, then you’ve likely heard about Bootstrap and its multiple versions. Initially released in 2011 by Twitter developers Mark Otto and Jacob Thornton, Bootstrap has become one of the most popular CSS frameworks.
But what is Bootstrap, and why should you learn to use it? In this article, we’ll go through a brief overview of Bootstrap along with its strengths and weaknesses.
What is Bootstrap?
Bootstrap is an open-source framework used for creating responsive, mobile-first sites. We know that’s a mouthful, so let’s go through the parts of that definition one by one.
Bootstrap is open source
Bootstrap was initially created as an internal tool used by Twitter but quickly became open source (free and publicly available to use). Anyone can get Bootstrap for personal or commercial use.
Bootstrap is a framework
Part of designing a website is designing how different frames and menus are positioned on the page and in relation to each other. Take a look at the menu and panel layouts on this webpage. All of this is programmed using Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).
But what if you want to use the same basic website structure multiple times? After all, many company websites have the same basic layout: a sleek homepage with the main menu showing you products and services, more about the company, and some contact information. That’s where Bootstrap comes in.
As a framework, Bootstrap is a collection of pre-written code chunks in CSS, HTML, and JavaScript that allows developers to create websites more quickly than if they had to create every bit of code from scratch. Bootstrap saves developers time so that they can focus on other things rather than coding CSS.
Bootstrap helps you create responsive websites
Responsive websites are pages that easily adapt to different devices, platforms, and screen sizes. Whether you’re visiting a website on Chrome from your Android phone or your 27-inch iMac at home, you should see a version of the page with dimensions, buttons, and fonts that don’t look too big or too small.
This can be tricky to get right when you’re designing a website from scratch, and Bootstrap does a lot of the work here so that you don’t have to (more on this below).
What is Bootstrap 4?
Since its initial version in 2011, Bootstrap’s had several updates that added major features (such as navigation options). They’ve also added more browser support and changed some fundamental parts of the framework (such as switching from LESS to SASS for styling).
Bootstrap 4, which was finalized in 2018, is widely used today, and it’s the version we recommend learning to get started with Bootstrap.
The good news: advantages of Bootstrap
Now that you know what Bootstrap is and what it’s used for, let’s explore its major advantages.
Responsive grid
This is probably the biggest advantage of Bootstrap. A well-designed grid system is what makes web pages responsive across a variety of screen sizes.
As mentioned above, Bootstrap does all the work here by providing a mobile grid system that can adapt to any device and screen resolution. And, with Bootstrap, it’s easy to mark elements of your web page that are only visible to desktop, tablet, or mobile viewers.
Compatibility
Websites created with Bootstrap are compatible with all major browsers, including:
Chrome
Firefox
Safari
Edge
IE10
Opera
Bootstrap’s platform compatibility includes:
Android
iOS
Windows 10 Mobile
Mac
Windows
This takes a lot of stress out of testing. If you don’t have access to a Windows phone, no more having to worry that there’ll be a compatibility problem with that one platform or browser.
Documentation
Open-source products are great, but what happens when you have a problem? Luckily, Bootstrap comes with comprehensive documentation, so it’s easy to look up how each bit of code works in detail. The documentation even includes samples of code, making it easier for beginners to pick up Bootstrap.
The bad news: disadvantages of Bootstrap
Now that you know about the power of Bootstrap, you might be wondering why more people and companies aren’t using it. Like all good things, you need to consider a couple of trade-offs before creating a website with Bootstrap.
Repetitive style
You might call Bootstrap a victim of its own success here. People everywhere are using Bootstrap to build their websites, which means that a lot of sites are built off the same template.
While it’s possible to customize your Bootstrap site, most people stick with the basic design layout. So, unless you’re willing to put in the extra time and effort to customize Bootstrap, keep in mind that your website will look just like a lot of existing websites.
Weight
While Bootstrap lets you easily build responsive sites, it’s not necessarily the most efficient option. In fact, Bootstrap websites are known to be resource-intensive, which means longer loading times and battery drain for anyone visiting your site.
It’s possible to use Bootstrap’s customization tools to eliminate code and functions that you don’t need, but this will take some time and Bootstrap expertise.
The takeaway: when to use Bootstrap
Bootstrap is a powerful tool that lets you quickly build attractive websites that look great on desktops, phones, and tablets. While there are some definite disadvantages to Bootstrap, in many cases, the benefits of website responsiveness, wide compatibility, and saved time will outweigh the cons. You can even eliminate the biggest drawbacks with a bit of extra time and effort.
If you’re considering a career as a Front-End Developer, you’ll definitely want to be familiar with Bootstrap. Because it’s so popular in web development, there’s a good chance it’ll be included in your future employer’s tech stack.
How to start learning Bootstrap
Bootstrap is a valuable skill to have as a Front-End Engineer. The best part about Bootstrap is that it builds on other front-end development skills such as CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. In fact, you can learn Bootstrap with our courses in just a few hours and start building your first Bootstrap website in no time at all.
When you take courses with us online, you use the text editor built into our platform. But once you move on to applying your programming skills to personal projects and work, you’ll need a text editor on your own computer. That’s where IDEs and code editors come into play.
In this article, we’ll explain what IDEs and code editors are and how they’re different. We’ll also help you get started with selecting the best option for your needs.
Below, we’ve listed some of the most popular IDEs and code editors that developers use and what makes each of them unique.
What are IDEs and code editors?
An IDE is an Integrated Development Environment. It’s a piece of software that allows developers to create, modify, and debug code easily. While some may require library extensions for certain programming languages, most of the common IDEs are ready to go, making it easy to catch potential syntax errors and bugs before you compile or run your code.
A code editor is a type of text editor with a few features that make it easy to write code. For example, code editors will automatically highlight words based on syntax and will automatically indent lines of code correctly. But, a code editor doesn’t have the debugging and autocomplete features that an IDE has.
Some developers prefer to start a program from scratch in a code editor. But others prefer an IDE when reviewing or modifying someone else’s code because it’s easier to debug.
4 common IDEs that developers use
If you’re looking to start with an IDE, you’ll have a little more help with debugging, syntax highlighting, and autocompletion features. If you’re starting on your own, without a large team of colleagues around you, an IDE can be a great way to increase the support you might need at the beginning. As you get more comfortable, IDEs will also help you increase your code creation and modification efficiency.
Here are four popular IDEs to consider:
1. Visual Studio Code
Microsoft’s Visual Studio Code is a text editor that can run on many different operating systems, including Windows, MacOSX, and Linux. Its interface is simple, with a panel on the left listing code versions and one in the middle where you type the code. It includes debugging features for many different programming languages.
This editor is a popular choice among developers, as an overwhelming 70% named it their favorite in Stack Overflow’s 2021 survey. It’s also free to download, making it an attractive option for new programmers to try.
2. IntelliJ IDEA
IntelliJ IDEA is a compact and “intelligent” IDE that provides suggestions to developers on how to improve their programs and makes it much faster for them to develop and debug. Features include version control, code analysis, and suggested code completion. Plus, you don’t need new plug-ins for additional languages.
IntelliJ isn’t free, like Visual Studio Code. Depending on the billing frequency you choose, it costs $499 per year or $49.90 per month. The price is steep, but many developers swear by this IDE as the key to their productivity. It’s most popular among developers who frequently use Java, even though it does support other languages.
3. Android Studio
If you’re interested in developing apps for Android devices, then the IDE you may want to focus on is Android Studio. Not only is it the recommended IDE for Android, but it also has some pretty neat features. You can lay out your app visually using Android Studio, and you can analyze APK files and view what your app will look like with an emulator feature.
The Android Studio is free to download, making it an obvious choice for Android developers. While this IDE also has an excellent code editor, it only provides code completion suggestions on the languages that Android requires (Java, C/C++, and Kotlin).
4. PyCharm
PyCharm is the IDE designed by developers for developers using Python. The IDE was created to keep Python code neat and tidy while boosting efficiency. It includes intelligent code completion and support for a few other languages, including JavaScript, CoffeeScript, TypeScript, and SQL, to name a few.
You can download a free community-level of PyCharm that will let you program in Python. But, if you want access to both Scientific and Web Python development, as well as support for HTML, SQL, and JavaScript, then you’ll have to pay for a license. Created by the same company that releases IntelliJ IDEA, the full version of PyCharm is slightly more affordable at $199 per year, or $19.90 per month.
4 common code editors for development
If you choose to go the route of code editor instead of IDE, below are four popular options with developers.
Keep in mind that there are more than four options out there, but this list will give you great, robust options with varying price points for you to choose from.
1. Sublime Text
Created by a former employee of Google, Sublime Text is a streamlined editor without many menus and windows. It can run on Windows, MacOSX, and Linux operating systems. Developers love Sublime Text’s syntax highlighting, fast load times, and updated autocomplete engine, which helps improve their efficiency.
Though there is a free trial version, you need to spend $99 on a licensing fee to unlock all Sublime Text’s power. If you don’t have much of a budget for a code editor, though, don’t worry. There are some great free options below.
2. Notepad++
The Notepad++ code editor works with a variety of programming languages, but it was designed using C++ and is often preferred when developing in the same language.
While it’s free to download, its use is limited to the Windows operating system.
3. Vim
Vim is a very popular code editor too. It’s included by default on UNIX and macOS operating systems as “vi.” So, if you program on a Mac or Linux, check to see if Vim is already installed. You’ll save yourself some time.
Developers use Vim because of its multi-level undo tree, fast loading times, and plenty of plug-ins for programming languages. Vim is also a free code editor, making it a great choice for anyone just getting started.
4. Atom
Last but not least is the Atom text editor. It’s an open-source option, which the company calls “hackable.” But what that also means is that it’s free for you to download and use.
On top of being cross-platform (macOS, Windows, and Linux), there are customization options and themes for developers along with the expected features, like autocompletion, find and replace, and multiple panes to compare code.
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Before this pandemic, waking up and sitting through boring classes was dreadful and felt like there was nothing I would want to do less. However, now I come to my classes excited. I am excited that teachers see me in person and can connect my name to my face. I am excited that I get to see my friends everyday. I am excited that I am picking up the material a lot easier than last year. I am excited that I get to go to football games. Most importantly, I am excited that I get one last “normal” year before I go to college and start a brand new chapter of my life.
For me, the most profound differences of last year were being in classes where the teacher was the only one who talked. Even though we always had the ability to unmute ourselves to answer a question or make a comment, let’s face it: it was a lot easier to avoid talking when cameras were turned off and microphones were muted. This year — although we are still wearing masks—a valuable part of education is back.
It took me a couple of weeks of “normal” school to realize how much I missed out on in my sophomore year. However, last week, a seemingly insignificant moment in my math class made me thankful to be back. When my teacher asked if we could see a “pattern” when looking at trig functions, I answered yes, before looking at the board and taking back my answer and saying no. This made everybody laugh, which my teacher said she really missed, as it had been probably 18 months since the last time something like that happened. It made me realize the thing that makes school tolerable, for the most part: being social, and simply being able to talk to my peers in my classes.
The first day of school was eventful. The hassle of trying to figure out what to wear, the rush as my family runs around trying to get ready and out the door before we are too late. The busy hallways are full of returning and new faces. The packed classrooms of students figuring out their seating arrangements. The teachers are as happy as can be to see their classrooms full of students not black screens. The confused faces of students as there is a problem on their math test that they don’t know. The football games with the screaming crowds. All in a normal day of school, the first in a very long time.
Being back at school has been a beautiful mess. Seeing all my friends again was great and I really missed playing in an actual physical band (crazy, I know). I definitely missed complaining about the lunch I packed with my friends and doing nothing about it the next day, and complaining about my next class, and homework, and that amazing feeling when the final dismissal bell rings.
So, based on that, you’d assume I don’t really like school all that much. However, I assure you, taxpayers of America, that is not the case …There’s just something about getting up extra early and driving to school and watching the sunrise, listening to my favorite music, feeling terrible yet amazing, constricted to my educational prison yet free, enjoying the wind on my arm that I lazily hang out the window. I even missed the drama, the stupid pointless relationships, the gossip, and everything that comes with that …
I can’t help but feeling like there’s not much hope for the world sometimes, but with my friends at my side and the crisp six AM breeze at my back, I am confident in my future.
