Learning a programming language is just one of the many tasks necessary to become a software developer. The companies want to hire a complete developer and assume that you know the entire software development process at your fingertips.
We will describe four fundamental parts, to become a more complete software development and therefore more profitable.
The Questions
Many college graduates, who want to be software developers, excitedly ask me things like: What programming language should I learn? , Where do I start? , or How can I get a job as a software developer?
The answers are simple, but first we must answer these questions:
How is the software consumed? Is it a website or software or application installed on a computer? On the desk, the mobile, the tablet?- What types of software are used most? Business applications? Scientific applications? Or games? Or something else?
Look around and you can intuit or guess easily. There is literally no business without the need for a computer and without the need for the Internet, in most cases.
S/W can be classified in the following 2 categories:
- Business applications
- Scientific applications
And I can say that business applications -millions worldwide- are used much more than scientific applications, which are specific to certain environments. Even in a scientific environment, they will also use business applications, but not the other way around, in most cases.
Therefore, there is more work – and more demand – for business software applications and, therefore, more jobs.
The Global Vision
Understanding the life cycle of a software application, from the requirements to the moment of its use, gives us an overview of the process and the general situation. Now you can decide where you want to focus your energies to learn more.
The software development team
- Solution architect / software
- Business analyst
- User interface / experience developer
- Software developers / software engineers / programmers
- QA
- Systems administrator
- Project manager
- Executives who manage the project ( Stakeholders )
Lifecycle Of A Typical Software Application
- The requirements on how a software should work are given to the software development team by the business teams.
- Based on the requirements, the design and architecture of the software begins. At this stage, not all requirements can have solutions, but teams usually start with what they know. The environment, technology and tools to be used are also decided.
- Project managers will try to identify tasks with estimates and begin assigning tasks to the team.
- Software developers will begin developing and coding the requirements and will work with the UI / UX team as needed.
- As the code is developed, it is compiled and built using tools to generate executables.
- The executables are deployed on a server-development server-for testing.
- If the result is satisfactory (quality control will help validate it), the code is transferred to a test server (preproduction) where project stakeholders and customers can test the application.
- At the same time, the code is usually stored on a server with version control. These systems tag and manage the code that is sent update after update.
- The executables are deployed on the main server (production).
- Steps 4 through 9 are repeated until the project is completed. Sometimes the developers return with the business teams and architects to improve the definition of any requirement that has not been clear.
The Learning Paths
Now, based on the above, choose where you want to be. A software developer needs to know the whole process: how the code and the application are developed, constructed, deployed, tested and managed.
The way
Choose a programming language of your interest and research in the available training centers. There are many online resources ( online programming courses ) nowadays, some of them free, that will allow you to learn any programming language you want.
While you learn this, you should also learn about database examples; to use the Github and Git commands; to use IDE’s ( Velneo , Intellij , Eclipse , Visual Studio ); to build code; to install and deploy executables; already try and test the code.
Development Platforms
Most programming languages have some advanced frameworks that are built on top of core builds . Some work environments are very popular and are widely used by many organizations.
The complete software developer should stand out in:
- At least one programming language
- A database: how it works and how to do CRUD operations
- Construction and implementation of code in local development servers
- Manage the code with a version control system
- Communicate the work done and present demonstrations
And you should have knowledge of:
- The principles of software architecture and design
- The agile development methodology
- How applications are deployed and managed on servers
- Debugging of code, writing and reading records
Certifications, Certifications, Certifications.
Certifications do not guarantee a job, but they will certainly help you gain confidence and improve the chances of your CV being selected.
Do not ignore them. Learn any technology so well that you can pass an industry certification
For example , the Java certifications from Oracle or certifications related to .NET and Azure of Microsoft are extremely popular today.
And Now, What Is Next?
Learning about software development is truly endless. There is no limit to what you can learn and do with the software. It continues to evolve day by day, as software developers constantly need to learn and absorb the changes in their languages and technologies, the evolutions, the new languages, platforms and paradigms that are appearing every day.
Do not get discouraged thinking that you need to know new platforms or add-ons every month, because in general, once you know one or one, new platforms and new development add-ons are learned more quickly. However, this is a fundamental part of the work of a programmer who wants to be more profitable with his work: continuous learning.
Do Not Stop Learning!
I really want the above to be useful to you and help you plan and prepare your career to become a complete software developer.
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