CLI package managers

Installing software through a Graphical User Interface (GUI) is slow and difficult to automate. As a full-stack developer, whether you're a Windows or a Mac user, you must rely on Command-Line Interface (CLI) package managers to efficiently install and configure the software you will be depending on. Remember, anything that can be expressed as a CLI command can also be automated.

Install Chocolatey for Windows

Chocolatey is a CLI-based package manager for Windows, which can be used for automated software installation. To install Chocolatey on Windows, you will need to run an elevated command shell:

1. Launch the Start menu
2. Start typing in PowerShell
3. You should see Windows PowerShell Desktop App as a search result
4. Right-click on Windows PowerShell and select Run as Administrator
5. This will trigger a User Account Control (UAC) warning; select Yes to continue
6. Execute the following command in PowerShell to install the Chocolatey package manager:

PS> Set-ExecutionPolicy AllSigned; iex ((New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://chocolatey.org/install.ps1'))

7. Verify your Chocolatey installation by executing choco
8. You should see a similar output, as shown in the following screenshot:

Successful installation of Chocolatey

All subsequent Chocolatey commands must also be executed from an elevated command shell. Alternatively, it is possible to install Chocolatey in a non-administrator setting that doesn't require an elevated command shell. However, this will result in a non-standard and less secure development environment, and certain applications installed through the tool may still require elevation.

For more information, refer to: https://chocolatey.org/install.

Installing Homebrew for macOS

Homebrew is a CLI-based package manager for macOS, which can be used for automated software installation. To install Homebrew on macOS, you will need to run a command shell.

1. Launch Spotlight Search with ⌘ + Space
2. Type in terminal
3. Execute the following command in the Terminal to install the Homebrew package manager:

$ /usr/bin/ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)"

4. Verify your Homebrew installation by executing brew
5. You should see a similar output, as follows:

Successful installation of Homebrew

6. To enable access to additional software, execute the following command:

$ brew tap caskroom/cask

For more information, check out: https://brew.sh/.