Irrespective of whether you are a newbie to the world of programming or have immense experience in the development sphere, there are some technical skills that you should undoubtedly possess; skills that facilitate you to integrate the functionalities of modern-day technologies into your work so that the end-product/software comes out flawless. If you are planning on becoming a professional developer, here are some skills which you should consider honing:
Data Structure & Algorithm
This skill is undoubtedly the most important for improving problem-solving skills and coding. The first step to becoming a good developer is to have an acute idea about organizing data and determining how you can use it to solve a real-life problem. Whether you are a self-taught programmer, developer, or even a student, you should emphasize learning about data structures and algorithms because they are the building blocks of programming.
Programming Languages
Having good command over at least one mainstream programming language is crucial if you want to become a good programmer or developer. Locking in on a particular programming language depends solely on which area interests you and in which language you are comfortable solving problems. As per a survey conducted by StackOverflow in 2019, the majority of the people chose to go for JavaScript, followed by HTML/CSS, SQL, Python, and Java. Therefore, choose a particular language as per your preference and start learning all its ins and outs.
Text Editor
Every programmer commences their journey into the world of programming and development by using text editors. If you are a novice programmer, you should invest some time in learning how a specific editor works and a few of its keyboard shortcuts. Some introductory text editors include Notepad++, Atom, Brackets, etc. An intelligent alternative to edit and run code is CodeRunner. It allows its users to write, run and debug quickly and effectively. Moreover, it also offers a clean interface and numerous other customization options.
Cloud Computing
The majority of the companies, irrespective of their size and domain, are shifting their environment to the cloud, primarily for cutting costs and attaining better scalability. Therefore, as an aspiring developer, you will need to work on cloud-based applications sooner or later. Therefore, you should learn about the various aspects of the cloud. Platforms like AWS (Amazon Web Service), GCP (Google Cloud Platform), and Microsoft Azure will give you a head start in your career. Learning a single one will help you acquire a fair idea about the other ones.
Integrated Development Environment (IDEs)
IDEs facilitate writing, modifying, compiling, running, and debugging your code. Choosing the right development environment depends primarily on the developer’s language and preference. Every aspiring developer should know how to use an IDE efficiently. An IDE significantly increases the pace of work and allows the developer to check out their code. There are different IDEs available for different programming languages. C, C++, and C# programmers opt for either Visual Studio or Code::Blocks, whereas Python developers choose PyCharm or Spyder as their IDE. Java developers prefer Eclipse, IntelliJ, or NetBeans.
Databases
Developers should know how databases function. Some famous databases are Oracle, MySQL, Microsoft’s SQL Server, and PostgreSQL. IF you are an aspiring developer, you should be familiar with the functionalities of a database, such as inserting, updating, or deleting data. Moreover, it would help if you learned to write basic SQL commands and queries. Every organization requires a developer to be familiar with databases because creating software or an application is not possible without a database.
Operating System
Proper knowledge about the fundamentals and functionalities of an operating system is a must for every developer. Sometimes, a code works on one machine and doesn’t on the other. Therefore, to avoid facing severe issues at the production level, a developer should have a precise idea about the processes and the mechanism of the operating system they are working with. The majority of the programmers and developers prefer working on Linux, Windows, or macOS. When it comes to mobile or tablet operating systems, Android and iOS stand at the top.
Networking Fundamentals
In the majority of the cases, developers work on apps that follow the client-server model, i.e., where the requests travel through a specific server. No matter where he is located, the client can conveniently access the application. Therefore, having a basic understanding of networking is crucial for developers to create and support an app. Most of the applications nowadays are client-server-based, and thus, we cannot deny that networking basics are not essential for a developer. Before you foray into the world of programming and development, make sure that you know the ABC of networking.\
Every phase of a software or application’s development requires a specific technical skill. Therefore, a good developer is expected to pull the right strings and follow a streamlined flow to create an outstanding product. If you wish to become a distinguished developer, developing the right skills and mastering them will seal the deal for you.
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