Almost every domain includes the use of software development. From small-scale businesses to large brands, most organizations need various software to run their operations. These software systems include finance and task management applications, data storing and processing tools, websites, and mobile apps for customer-business interaction. Therefore, it’s no secret that software development is an in-demand field. Software developers can start their careers at any organization or as a freelancer while making a decent income—so does this mean you can also start your journey in software development?

Yes, why not! If you have good problem-solving skills and a creative mind, a career as a software developer will be a good fit. But where should you start? Here’s your ultimate guide to learning software development.

Learn a Programming Language

The first step to learning software development is learning a programming language. You can learn any programming language and code in it, but we recommend starting with Python, C, C++, Java, and Scala. If you can learn more than one of these, that would be great, but we recommend starting from one for beginners. Most organizations use one or more of these languages to develop software. Even if you have learned one of them, you can learn more while developing software later. Here’s an introduction to the programming languages you should consider learning.

Java

Java is an all-purpose programming language. However, most companies use it to develop server-side applications. You can develop websites and android applications using Java.

Python

Many software developers have termed Python the easiest language to learn, and we agree! Python’s syntax is similar to English, so beginners intimidated by coding can start by learning Python. You can use Python to make applications for data analysis and scripting.

C/C++

These languages are popular amongst software developers who create desktop applications through system programming. C and C++ have similarities in syntax, with C++ being an object-oriented language. These languages are common amongst game developers, as most game development companies use C++ or C. If you have learned either C or C++, you can quickly learn the other with minimal effort.

Scala

Scala is a more recent programming language. Software development companies agree that Java has some shortcomings, including being limited to a few platforms, resulting in slow internet speeds, and having uncertainty in security.

Therefore, software developers designed Scala to overcome the shortcomings of Java. Scala is a high-level programming language; you should only start learning it if you have some idea of Java or another object-oriented programming language.

Pursue a Degree or a Course in Software Development

Even though you can learn these programming languages through various sources, especially the internet, we recommend taking a course or pursuing a degree for better learning. Learning software development in an academic environment will give you hands-on experience. In addition, if you decide to join a degree or course online, your instructor would be of great help.

Stack Overflow is one of the biggest online communities of IT experts worldwide. According to a 2021 survey, around 65% of software developers on Stack Overflow have at least a Bachelor's degree in Software Development. A degree or a course allows you to get industry expertise and a chance to work with other software developers. Therefore, if you can’t get a minor in a software development field, we recommend joining a course to learn software development.

Familiarize Yourself with Common Tools and Platforms in the Industry

As mentioned above, you need to learn programming languages to start your career as a software developer. However, the tools and platforms you use as a software developer can change over time. For instance, in 2022, the most popular software development tools are GitHub, Azure, Buddy, etc.

Therefore, you must familiarize yourself with tools and platforms that are trending currently. You can head over to Stack Overflow and Google to search for the platforms most software development companies use nowadays. Don’t continue coding through outdated tools and platforms, as that will get you nowhere and wouldn’t look good on your resume.

Practice Will Make You Better

Whether you decide to take matters into your own hands and learn on your own or join a degree or course, practicing and building your skills is essential. After understanding the developmental procedure, you can start by developing a small application. You don’t have to put a lot of complex functions and features in the software you develop as a beginner. A simple system with a functional frontend, backend, and database is more than enough.

However, you shouldn’t start designing applications, websites, and desktop systems simultaneously. Instead, pick a domain and stick to it. If you’re interested in app development, practice developing applications and don’t switch to web development without mastering app development tools first.

Build Your Non-Technical Skills

If you want a stellar career in software development, you should build your non-technical skills alongside your technical ones. While working on software development projects, you’ll have other tasks like managing projects, making user manuals, testing interface, etc.

This means that software developers should have project management skills and know the basics of technical writing and quality assurance testing. In addition, you should have good communication skills, helping other people understand your code and software. You should also know how to answer questions about the functionality and complexity of your code.

Get Certifications for Your Skills

Once you have enough software development knowledge and a strong portfolio of the software applications you build during practice, it’s time to apply and start your career! However, you need a fantastic resume to stand out from other software developers. If you already have a degree, that can make your resume attractive to recruiters.

However, if you decide to self-learn, certify your skills to show recruiters that you have the necessary skills to be a software developer. A simple Google search can show you the certifications to boost your software development career.

Join an IT Technician Course Online 

With these steps, you can learn software development, build a portfolio, and start applying for jobs. At Bayise Tutor, we offer IT online courses with certificates, where you can learn different software development tools and skills. In addition, our online IT training programs prepare you for tests of different industry-approved certifications necessary to boost your career.

Reach out to us or sign up on our platform to join online IT training programs.