Develop Cutting Edge Software Development Skills with these Top Courses

The reality today is that for most software developers their job is not just about coding - For example, a commercial online organisation might require you to demonstrate ‘full-stack’ web development skills. This would mean knowing the principles of data design, database development, and server- and client-side interaction.

Software Development

The reality today is that for most software developers, their job is not just about coding, for example, a commercial online organisation might require you to demonstrate ‘full-stack’ web development skills. 

This would mean knowing the principles of data design, database development, and server- and client-side interaction (e.g. JavaScript); HTML5 (Hypertext Mark-up Language version 5) and CSS3 (Cascading Style Sheets version 3); email and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server integration; and much more. 

On the other hand, if you were developing custom hardware, you might need to understand different signal types in Linux and couple this with advanced low-level C skills. Although both examples would require the skills of a software developer, the roles themselves, the underpinning knowledge and the daily challenges would be quite different. 

As you can see, there is no single route, educational background or area of life experience that is mandated for stepping into the role of software developer. Gaining recognised qualifications will almost certainly be helpful, and many different options exist. Training in the workplace is also invaluable and can be combined with vocational qualifications to good effect.

Employers’ Eye 

Often, employers assess eligibility for promotion based on involvement in and delivery of successful projects.

• However, there are some simple steps to follow when opportunities arise: If you are offered training in new technologies or techniques, always do so, especially if it is an industry-recognized certification.
• If you are given the opportunity to stretch into new areas, generally, it is a good idea to accept. Any learning, especially that which is conducted ‘on the job’, can be very rewarding.
• Pair programming techniques are beneficial, particularly when you can work alongside a more experienced developer.
• Keep your programming skills up to date, and embrace new concepts and ideas. Working on a pet project outside work hours is a fun way to hone your skills without extra pressure.

Development of Specific Skills in a Software Developer

• Analysis skills: Good analysis is based on a person’s ability to examine something in detail.
• Programming (language-specific syntax but also a wider understanding of programming constructs, tools and techniques): experience using the language that will be used in a development project is key.
• Structured Query Language (SQL) skills: Most applications use database connections as a source of external data, and as such you should be able to perform the basic data operations using - SQL Data Definition Language (DDL), which is used for creating databases and tables, altering structures, renaming, dropping (removing the table and its data) and truncating (deleting all data from a table); SQL Data Manipulation Language (DML), which is used for inserting, deleting and updating rows; SQL Data Control Language (DCL), which is used for granting and revoking user privileges to database objects; SQL Data Query Language (DQL), which is used for creating queries using the select statement (probably the most important).
• Hardware skills: It is always a good idea to have a basic working knowledge of the technology used by your applications – for example, you should understand how programs use computer memory to enable you to avoid memory errors.
• Networking skills: many applications will be network aware, whether these are traditional desktop applications, mobile applications or commercial web applications.
• Knowledge of an operating system (OS): software developers’ role is not limited to producing program code; they also have to prepare development environments and deployment environments.
• Diagramming skills: a diagram is often much more useful at explaining existing or new systems than extensive text. There are a host of software applications that you can use, such as Lucidchart, SmartDraw and Draw.io.
• Regular expressions: often abbreviated to ‘regex’. Its intricate and elegant pattern-matching metalanguage can be used to match, extract or substitute data in a string without requiring the use of complex and messy combinations of different string functions.
• Design skills: once you understand the problem to be addressed and the requirements, you may well be able to visualise a solution or components that will contribute towards a solution.
• Testing: The program may fail under load (a large number of users) and may become slow. Alternatively, the functionality may not work as expected. Testing is about planning, executing, documenting and resolving issues to make sure that the product is fully functioning.

How to Stay Relevant in this Extremely Competitive Industry? 

• Be active in the software development community – whether you publish a blog, have a LinkedIn profile, lead an open source passion project, contribute magazine articles, or attend conferences and meetings, be visible.
• Invest (time and money) in your skills. Regularly attend workshops, seminars, training courses and so on.
• Be aware of potential vulnerabilities and the best defensive coding practices in order to reduce the likelihood of successful cyberattacks and improve the robustness of your solutions.
• Be prepared to work under pressure and within strict time limits.

Overview of Different Roles 

Web developer: typically front-end, back-end or full-stack. 

• Front-end: focusing on commercial website UIs (user interfaces), for example, using HTML, CSS and JavaScript (vanilla and frameworks).
• Back-end: focusing on server-side scripting, for example, using PHP, Microsoft C# (.NET), Oracle Java, Python, Node.JS and external data sources (such as relational database management systems).
• Full-stack: focusing on the complete technology stack, which means everything from the back-end through to the front-end. This might also include ‘enterprise glue’ (e.g. Bash script, Perl or PowerShell) for linking back-end systems together and any other manner of supporting technologies.
• Mobile app developer: developing native applications often specific to a certain mobile operating system (e.g., Apple iOS or Google Android OS), although hybrid applications are possible.
• Games developer: designing interactive experiences in the PC, online, mobile or games console sectors.
• Software developer: a more generic catch-all descriptor that is often used by a smaller employer with specific needs that don’t neatly fit just one of the above role types.
• Application developer: another generic descriptor

IT now permeates almost every area of business. In an environment where the pace is ever-increasing, it is essential for those aspiring to work as a software developers to gain knowledge, skills and experience in many areas. 

Careervira.com provides industry benchmarked recommendations to its learners to facilitate their journey with the right course/program selection. 

What’s clear is that the role of a software developer is a moving feast, and individuals need to continually improve and adapt their skills over time. At careervira.com, we suggest any coder indulge in these courses.