I'm taking "tool" to mean a piece of hardware. I'd recommend some old laptop with your favorite linux distro less desktop. 

Why? Well the main thing is that it puts them into a position where they're not learning to be a google copy/paste coder given the lack of the desktop, mouse and distractions like email. They can also learn to setup the server environment on their new dev box and eventually do all sorts of cool stuff. 

_______________________________________
Michael Friscia
Manager, Digital Library & Programming Services
Yale University Library
(203) 432-1856
________________________________________
From: Code for Libraries [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Bohyun Kim [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2012 4:24 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [CODE4LIB] one tool and/or resource that you recommend to newbie coders in a library?

Hi all code4lib-bers,

As coders and coding librarians, what is ONE tool and/or resource that you recommend to newbie coders in a library (and why)?  I promise I will create and circulate the list and make it into a Code4Lib wiki page for collective wisdom.  =)

Thanks in advance!
Bohyun

---
Bohyun Kim, MA, MSLIS
Digital Access Librarian
[log in to unmask]
305-348-1471
Medical Library, College of Medicine
Florida International University
http://medlib.fiu.edu
http://medlib.fiu.edu/m (Mobile)