Beginner’s Guide on How to Develop Software

Software developers, also known as software engineers, use math, computer science, and engineering skills to design and build computer and internet systems for companies. Software development is a hot career choice today with a large talent pool. Software developers can be found in virtually any company across any industry.

Unlike some careers, educational requirements for software engineers tend to be very specific. Here are just a few degrees that they tend to hold:

• Software Engineering
• Computer Science
• Computer Programming and Analysis
• Information Systems
• Mathematics

If you are considering learning how to code software programs and become a software developer yourself, know that there is not an easy path ahead of you. However, with time, diligence, and patience, you’ll find your hard work will be rewarded with a wealth of knowledge, skill, and several career choices. 

Whether you are looking to advance your career or simply take on a new skill for fun, we’re here to help. Here’s a complete and basic guide on how to develop software. By the end of this blog, you’ll have a better idea of the direction of your software development studies. It is important to note that you will not be a pro at software development. Rather, this guide is meant to act as a foundation for your studies by offering basic knowledge of the tools necessary and the steps you should take to further your software development education. 

Know the Basics

The first step in learning software develop is to decide which basic type of software development interests you. There are two types of software development: 

• Applications Development: Focused on creating programs that meet the needs of the user. These can range from mobile phone apps to video games to enterprise-level software.
• Systems Development: Centers around creating and maintaining operating systems and often involves network operability and data security.

Depending on which route you decide to take, there are different tools you can use such as:

• JFrog: Features a helm repository integration that is secure and enterprise-ready
• Atom: Free, open-source desktop and source code editor that is highly updated with the latest features.
• Cloud 9: Used for scripting, running and debugging code in the cloud
• Linx: Build and automate backend applications and web services with low amounts of coding
• Bootstrap: Open-source and free interface for developing responsive websites and mobile app projects.

Learn Programming Language

It is the job of a developer to take an idea and turn it into something tangible. Regardless of what type of software development you are into, even if you only want to work on the design aspects you should have some familiarity with coding and be able to create basic prototypes. 

Programming languages are truly like learning another language. There are several different programming languages out there today that range in difficulty — but, just like any other language, you can teach yourself with practice. 

Some of the more popular and valuable programming languages used today include:

• C: One of the older languages still in use, and is the basis for most of the other programming languages. C is used to develop basic programs and works very closely with the computer's hardware.

• C++: The most popular programming language in the world. Programs such as Chrome, Firefox, Photoshop, and many others are all built with C++. It is also a very popular language for creating video games. If you are looking to pick a single programming language to learn, C++ is a good pick. Developers who know this language are almost always in high demand.

• Java: The offspring of the C++ language, Java is used often because it is very portable. Almost any system can run Java. It is widely used in video games and business software, and many people recommend it.

• C#: This Windows-based language that is part of Microsoft. It is very similar to Java and C++, and if you learn Java you can quickly transition to C#. If you plan to be working with Windows software, this language may be beneficial to learn.

• Objective-C: This is another cousin of the C language that is specifically designed for Apple systems. It sees immense popularity in iPhone and iPad apps. Objective-C is a great language to learn as a freelancer.

• Python: If you are looking to start off easy, Python may be your best best. It is one of the simplest languages to learn and is made for web development.

Practice Daily

They say that practice makes perfect. Do more research using the internet and books, post on forums to ask for real-life advice, and practice your coding daily. Perhaps even consider investing in some classes for a hands-on learning experience. The better grasp you have on the language, the more advanced your software development will be. Good luck!

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• API
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