  As the world of technology advances, so do the tools that software developers
use to create new programs. In recent years, software development tools have
become more popular, allowing developers to work more efficiently and produce
higher-quality software. Still, installing such tools can be challenging for
novice developers at the early stage of their careers, as they may face
challenges, such as compatibility issues (e.g., operating systems). Therefore,
this work aims to investigate the challenges novice developers face in software
development when installing software development tools. To investigate these,
we conducted an analysis of 24 live software installation sessions to observe
challenges and comprehend their actions, the strategies they apply, and the
type of source of information they consult when encountering challenges. Our
findings show that unclear documentation, such as installation instructions,
and inadequate feedback during the installation process are common challenges
faced by novice developers. Moreover, reformulating search queries and relying
on non-official documentation were some of the strategies employed to overcome
challenges. Based on our findings, we provide practical recommendations for
tool vendors, tool users, and researchers.
