user-1: Every tutorial I have gone through to download bitcoind, I haven't been able to complete because my computer can't handle the full node download.
These are my specs:
2017
Processor - 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5
Memory - 8 GB
Storage: 50.8 GB available.
What's the lightest way I can run testnet so I can develop applications / hardware with the protocol but not buy new hardware (can't afford it)?
Many thanks for any suggestions.

user89798: I develop on regtest, and only later test on testnet; my regtest folder is 18Mb in size. Regtest also has on-demand mining meaning I don't have to wait on the miners among other advantages.
My testnet3 folder is now 27Gb in size suggesting you should be able to accommodate it without problem. The full blockchain for mainnet is almost 250Gb. A second-hand 300Gb disk is less than $20 however if you're out of cash I suggest you get in contact with Bitcoin groups local to you, and local computer fixing stores - if they're anything like me, they'll have an old, small disk you can take for free.

-1: <p>Every tutorial I have gone through to download bitcoind, I haven't been able to complete because my computer can't handle the full node download.</p>

<p>These are my specs:
2017
Processor - 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5
Memory - 8 GB
Storage: 50.8 GB available.</p>

<p>What's the lightest way I can run testnet so I can develop applications / hardware with the protocol but not buy new hardware (can't afford it)?</p>

<p>Many thanks for any suggestions.</p>
 89798: <p>I develop on <a href="https://bitcoin.org/en/developer-examples#regtest-mode" rel="nofollow noreferrer">regtest</a>, and only later test on testnet; my regtest folder is 18Mb in size. Regtest also has on-demand mining meaning I don't have to wait on the miners among other advantages.</p>

<p>My testnet3 folder is now 27Gb in size suggesting you should be able to accommodate it without problem. The full blockchain for mainnet is almost 250Gb. A second-hand 300Gb disk is less than $20 however if you're out of cash I suggest you get in contact with Bitcoin groups local to you, and local computer fixing stores - if they're anything like me, they'll have an old, small disk you can take for free.</p>
