I'm a fan of learning enough to know how to get going, then just start building. In the process of building you'll get stuck and have to look for answers.
As for are there better tools, I don't know what your needs are. Is this for fun? Do you have a budget? Are you doing this for resume building? It's not a question of what's "best", but rather what's best for your needs.
As for are there better tools, I don't know what your needs are. Is this for fun? Do you have a budget? Are you doing this for resume building? It's not a question of what's "best", but rather what's best for your needs.