# Resources and Softwares for Second Year ECE Students

Hello Juniors! Hope ECE is treating you well 😉

Now, to make your life easy, I'll will be covering most of the important **Resources** and **Software Installation Procedures and Packages** in this blog post so you dont have to wander here and there.

## Resources

So, first and foremost, we maintained a **Telegram Channel** to send all the resources in, like Books, Prof Notes, Softwares, etc.

Join the **channel**, if you haven't already: https://t.me/ECE2ndYearNotes

Next, we have the **Google Drive**, where all the notes and books have been uploaded: [Link](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1W86S74DvWLxl38DgNU-1kI7Dolz_iu_n?usp=sharing)

You can always refer to **Your Google Drive** being maintained by your batchmates: https://bit.ly/2TJCsFC

## Softwares

Let's be honest, this is the reason why you are reading this post, so, here are the softwares and packages:

### WINRAR

This is the most basic software you NEED to have installed on your PC.

[Download From Here](https://www.win-rar.com/fileadmin/winrar-versions/winrar/winrar-x64-602.exe)

Before trying to install anything, make sure to right click on the .zip or .rar files and the "Extract Here"/"Extract to ..."

Failing to do so might result in dumb questions and then your friends laughing at you 🙂

### Free Download Manager

You will be downloading a lot of stuff this year onwards, and you dont want your 10GB Download at 9.5GB, Do you?

To avoid such things, you need to install a download manager.

I have been using this one for two years now, and this is the [Best Version](https://dn3.freedownloadmanager.org/5/5.1-latest/fdm5_x64_setup.exe)

You have to give all the necessary permissions to the client, and then install the [Chrome Extension](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/free-download-manager/ahmpjcflkgiildlgicmcieglgoilbfdp?hl=en)

Now, once you properly complete the setup, whenever you try to download any file, it will download through this client, giving you better speed and stability.

### NI Multisim

This software is used to emulate electronic circuits.

Here are the packages you need to download:
[The Main Installer (.rar)](https://t.me/ECE2ndYearNotes/146)
[The Activator Application (.exe)](https://t.me/ECE2ndYearNotes/145)

Now, once downloaded, extract the installer using WINRAR.

Then, follow these instructions carefully, and prefer them over what your installer wizard suggests you to do
https://youtu.be/LTzF1oHlnp0

### Python

Here, I will suggest you install the Anaconda Distibution

[Download Here](https://repo.anaconda.com/archive/Anaconda3-2021.05-Windows-x86_64.exe)

**You NEED TO follow these steps to get Python working**
Add the BIN folder to the Windows Path.

**Step 1: Search in Console**

**Step 2: Go to Environment Variables**

**Step 3: Go to System Variables, double click on path**

**Step 4: Edit Environment Variables**

**Step 5: Click on the "New" button, and then browse to the "bin" folder of Anaconda Distribution.**
You can see how the console looks here.

### Visual Studio Code

This is by far the best editor for Windows.
[Click Here to Download VS Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/Download)

Since you have already added python to the Path, you can directly start using this with the extensions it suggests you.

### MySQL

This will be needed later in the OOP Course. The MSI Installer file is attached as follows, and you only have to follow the procedure as it asks; no need to crack/activate.

[MySQL Installation File](https://t.me/ECE2ndYearNotes/147)

### MATLAB

This is the real crux. Installing this can be the trickiest part and also where most of us get stuck.
Not only is this a heavy application, the activation is also complex.

I made a video and edited it, so that you can install it easily. Watch till end, as I have covered one probable error as well.

[Installation Video](https://t.me/ECE2ndYearNotes/162)

Now, Download MATLAB R2018a from this link

[Software Download](https://drive.google.com/file/d/11LLecsK9SIFPqSEJHg67iHgAnigov7Nd/view?usp=drivesdk)

There is a readme file in the zip that you'll be downloading, you can refer to that for the installation procedure.


You have to copy these 4 files from the crack folder into the installed folder

But, for clarity, I again recommend to refer to the [video](https://t.me/ECE2ndYearNotes/162).

## Websites you need to know:

1) https://circuitverse.org/
This will be used as a Basic Alternative to Circuitverse for Logic Circuits
2) https://www.overleaf.com/
This is used as an Online LaTeX Text Editor, for your Lab Journals
3) https://octave-online.net/
This can be used as an Online and Open-Source Alternative to MATLAB
4) https://colab.research.google.com/
If you are don't want to set up Anaconda and Python on your laptop because of hassle or low processing power, use this Online IDE by Google.
You will need to do some minor tweaks, but it is highly recommended to have local Python Setup.