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Violet Alexander
Violet Alexander

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Mac Programmers — Tips for Improving Productivity

As a backend developer, choosing the right tools can significantly improve our work efficiency. In this article, I will share my accumulated experience of using Mac for development over the years, and introduce some Mac software and plugins that I believe are particularly helpful for backend programmers.

software classification
1) Mac Tools for Improving Efficiency
1.Servbay
In remote work, deploying and managing the development environment is a crucial aspect. Choosing an efficient and reliable development environment management tool not only improves the team’s work efficiency but also ensures a smooth development process. Here, I want to particularly introduce a tool that has been immensely helpful to me — Servbay.

Servbay is a development environment management tool designed specifically for remote teams. It provides a range of features aimed at simplifying deployment processes, supporting multiple environment switching, and real-time monitoring to help development teams work more efficiently.

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2.Trello

Project management is particularly important in remote teams. Trello is the primary tool our team uses to track task progress and assign work. Through Trello’s board view, we can visually see the status of each task, from to-do, in progress, to done. Each task card can have detailed descriptions, deadlines, and related files attached, ensuring that every team member is clear about their responsibilities and progress. Trello’s flexibility allows us to adjust workflows according to project needs, maintaining high operational efficiency.

In a tense project cycle, Trello helped us maintain clear task assignments and progress tracking. Every time I completed a task, I felt a sense of accomplishment, seeing the task card move from “in progress” to the “done” column. This visual feedback greatly motivated me and my team.

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*3.Zoom
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I remember once when our team encountered technical challenges in the final stage of a key project. Through Zoom’s multi-party video meetings and real-time collaboration, we quickly identified the root of the problem and proposed solutions. Zoom’s stability and high-quality audio and video effects allow us to communicate and collaborate efficiently even when in different locations.

These tools perform excellently in different work environments, making remote work more efficient and convenient. Whether at home or in a corner of the world, these tools help me maintain a high level of work efficiency and smooth team collaboration.

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4.Smartsheet

Smartsheet is a powerful project management and automation tool designed for professional teams that require complex project views and robust reporting capabilities. Utilizing a spreadsheet-style interface, Smartsheet allows users to manage projects, automate processes, and integrate multiple tools seamlessly. Its high flexibility and powerful integration features enable teams to customize their project views and generate detailed reports, enhancing overall project management efficiency. However, it may require some additional configuration work to fully leverage its capabilities. Smartsheet is a valuable asset for any professional team.

These tools perform excellently in different work environments, making remote work more efficient and convenient. Whether at home or in a corner of the world, these tools help maintain a high level of work efficiency and smooth team collaboration.

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5.TablePlus

TP is a database management tool, although it is written here, I would recommend NaviCat for better usability. Navicat is chargeable, but you can still choose the “Learning Edition”. The reason why I used TP is because Navicat sent a letter to the company, and they asked us to uninstall all of it. So I found this alternative, which is also very good.
Support multiple database connections

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I hope this article can provide valuable insights for you in choosing and using Mac development tools. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced veteran, these tools will become your indispensable assistants.

Top comments (1)

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Ben Sinclair

It sounds very much like you were breaking the license agreement with Navicat, stopped when you got called out, and switched to breaking the license agreement of a different piece of software instead.

Most of these are web-based and will work on any OS. I think the only one that's Mac-specific is Servbay and to be honest, that's a bit of a red flag for me anyway. It's 2024, and there are loads of free software alternatives which work on multiple platforms.