Top 25 WebStorm IDE Interview Questions and Answers

WebStorm is one of the most popular IDEs for web development. As a developer, having good knowledge of WebStorm can help you stand out in job interviews. In this article, I will share the top 25 WebStorm interview questions that you may encounter during a job interview.

1. What is WebStorm?

WebStorm is a powerful IDE specifically designed for client-side web development. It provides support for JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS, HTML, web frameworks like Angular, React, Vue.js etc. WebStorm comes packed with many features like intelligent code completion, on-the-fly error prevention, powerful navigation and refactoring tools.

2. What are the key features of WebStorm?

Some of the standout features of WebStorm include:

• Smart code completion, inspection and navigation tools
• Built-in debugger for client-side JavaScript
• Integration with version control systems like Git, SVN, Mercurial etc.
• WebStorm comes with a built-in terminal
• Integration with various tools like Node.js, NPM, Yarn, Docker etc.
• Powerful refactoring capabilities
• Support for JavaScript frameworks like React, Angular, Vue.js etc.
• Customizable IDE with plethora of plugins

3. Is WebStorm just for JavaScript development?

No, WebStorm provides support for many other languages and technologies beyond just JavaScript. Although its main strength lies in JavaScript development, it can be used for:

• TypeScript
• HTML/CSS
• SQL
• Python
• PHP
• Node.js
• Databases
• Docker
• Shell scripts

So WebStorm can be used for full stack web development.

4. What are the differences between WebStorm and other JetBrains IDEs?

WebStorm is built on top of the IntelliJ platform like many other JetBrains IDEs. Here are some key differences:

• IntelliJ IDEA – Used for JVM languages like Java and Kotlin
• PyCharm – Used for Python development
• PhpStorm – Used for PHP development
• WebStorm – Specialized for client-side web development

The core functionality across these IDEs remains similar. You get intelligent code completion, debugging, version control etc. But each IDE is tailored and optimized for a specific programming language and tech stack.

5. Is WebStorm free to use?

WebStorm comes in 2 editions

• Community (Free)
• Ultimate (Paid)

The community edition is available for free and contains most of the essential features. But the paid Ultimate edition unlocks additional features like improved JavaScript debugging, TypeScript support, SQL editor, live edit for SASS/LESS/SCSS, React Native and more.

There is also an educational license if you are a student.

6. What are the system requirements for running WebStorm?

WebStorm requires:

• Operating System: Windows, Mac OSX, Linux
• At least 4GB RAM (8GB recommended)
• 2GB hard disk space
• 1024 x 768 minimum screen resolution
• Recent version of JRE (at least JRE 8)

7. How good is WebStorm’s TypeScript support?

WebStorm provides excellent support for TypeScript

• Automatic Type acquisition
• Advanced type checking and error highlighting
• Smart code completion and parameter info
• Powerful navigation and refactoring of TS code
• Integration with tools like TSLint, Jest, Mocha etc.
• Debugging of TypeScript

The TypeScript support is even better in the Ultimate edition with additional features

8. Can WebStorm be used for mobile app development?

Yes, WebStorm provides support for hybrid mobile development using frameworks like React Native, Ionic, Cordova.

You can run and debug your React Native apps directly within WebStorm. It also allows previewing the app on emulators and devices.

9. What file types are supported by WebStorm?

Some of the main file types supported include:

• HTML/CSS
• JavaScript (including ES6)
• TypeScript
• JSX
• SQL
• Markdown
• XML
• YAML

Plus WebStorm provides integration with tools like Node.js, NPM, Docker, Bash that allows working with additional file types.

10. What types of apps can be built using WebStorm?

Here are some examples of apps that can be built using WebStorm:

• Single page web apps using React, Vue, Angular etc.
• Web services/APIs using Node.js, Express
• Hybrid mobile apps using React Native
• Desktop apps using JavaScript frameworks like Electron
• Chrome extensions and browser add-ons
• Dynamic websites using PHP, MySQL etc.

So WebStorm allows you to build highly dynamic and interactive web applications.

11. Does WebStorm integrate with version control systems?

Yes, WebStorm comes with built-in integration for version control systems like:

• Git
• Subversion (SVN)
• Mercurial

It provides support for features like committing changes, push/pull, resolving merge conflicts, comparing versions etc directly within the IDE.

12. How good is WebStorm for web frameworks like React and Vue?

WebStorm provides excellent support for modern JavaScript frameworks like React, Vue, Angular. Some of the key features include:

For React apps:

• JSX syntax support
• React code completion
• Detect errors in components
• Debugging of React apps
• Integration with tools like React DevTools

For Vue.js apps:

• Single file component (.vue) support
• Code completion for Vue directives
• Error checking
• Debugging Vue apps
• Vuex and Vue CLI integration

The React and Vue support is further enhanced in the paid Ultimate edition.

13. What database systems can be used with WebStorm?

Some of the database systems that integrate well with WebStorm include:

• MySQL
• MongoDB
• PostgreSQL
• SQLite
• Oracle

It provides database tools for querying, creating tables/collections, managing connections etc. Database workflow is further simplified using plugins.

14. Does WebStorm support REST API development?

Yes, WebStorm provides good support for building REST APIs using:

• Node.js and Express framework
• Ability to write validation schemas for endpoints
• Smart code completion for popular NPM packages like Express, Mongoose etc.
• Debugging of Node.js apps
• Running API requests within the IDE and viewing responses
• Integration with tools like Postman

So you can easily build and consume REST APIs with WebStorm.

15. How can you debug JavaScript code in WebStorm?

WebStorm comes with a powerful debugger for client-side JavaScript code. Some ways to debug code are:

• Set breakpoints directly in the editor
• Pause code execution on any breakpoint
• See call stacks and variable values in debugger windows
• Debug step-by-step and skip lines
• Evaluate expressions in the debugger console
• Asynchronously debug Node.js code

16. Does WebStorm support TDD (Test Driven Development)?

Yes, WebStorm has good integration with all popular JavaScript testing frameworks like:

• Jest
• Mocha
• Jasmine
• Karma
• Protractor (for E2E testing)

It allows you to:

• Run, debug and view results of tests without leaving the IDE
• Generate stubs for test files
• Navigate between source and test files

So you can easily follow TDD workflow.

17. How can I customize WebStorm as per my workflow?

WebStorm is highly customizable through:

• Plugins – There are tons of plugins for integrations (Jira), themes (Material UI), tools (Prettier) etc.
• Configuration – Options like keymaps, file encodings, proxies etc. can be configured.
• Preferences – Fine tune code completion, error checks, editor settings etc.
• Layouts – Customizable UI with ability to rearrange tool windows.

This allows tailoring WebStorm exactly for your development workflow.

18. Does WebStorm integrate with REST clients like Postman?

Yes, WebStorm allows you to directly import and run collections from Postman. You can also use the built-in HTTP client in WebStorm to:

• Make requests and view responses
• Inspect headers
• Assign authorization
• Group requests in folders
• Export requests as code snippets or collections

This comes in handy when working with REST APIs.

19. How extensible is WebStorm through plugins?

WebStorm provides a rich ecosystem of plugins. Some of the things plugins allow you to do:

• Integrate tools like Docker, Jira, WakaTime
• Add support for frameworks like NestJS, AdonisJS
• Enforce code standards using ESLint, Prettier
• Boost productivity using themes, keymaps, snippets
• Manage databases and add new datasources