English | https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/13-technical-skills-you-should-have-as-a-developer/
Translation | Web Frontend Development
If you are a computer science student or taking courses to become a software engineer or developer, you must possess certain technical skills to be a good programmer. The technology is vast, with too many tools, platforms, and languages in the market.
Whether you are an experienced programmer or a novice, as a modern developer, you should understand how to integrate modern technology and other technical knowledge in your work to deliver a good product or software.
In this article, we will discuss some important technical skills that you should have as a developer or aspire to become a great developer.
1. Data Structures and Algorithms
Data structures and algorithms are essential skills for most company programmers. If you know how to organize data and how to use it to solve real-life problems, you can become an excellent software developer.
As a developer, whether you are a computer science student or a self-taught programmer, you should seriously study data structures and algorithms (such as arrays, linked lists, trees). Data structures and algorithms are the core of programming. Initially, most developers do not realize their importance, but when you start your career in software development, you will find that code either takes too long or occupies too much space. That is when you will recognize the importance of using the right data structures and algorithms to organize data to solve specific problems in less time and space. You can learn from places like: GeeksforGeeks, Hackerrank, Codechef, CareerCup, LeetCode, InterviewBit, HackerEarth, etc.
2. Programming Languages
To become a good programmer, you must have an in-depth understanding of at least one programming language. The choice of which programming language to select depends on the area you are interested in and which language you prefer to use to solve problems. According to Stack Overflow surveys, let’s look at the popularity of programming languages in 2019…
Image source: StackOverflow From the image above, based on market demand and areas of interest, you can choose any programming language.3. Source Code ControlSource code control helps developers manage and store their code. Today, most organizations are looking for developers who are proficient in version control and can collaborate with other team members. Therefore, if you intend to become an excellent software developer, you need to reach a satisfactory level of understanding of version control concepts and tools like Git (preferred by 70-80% of organizations), Mercurial, SVN, etc. You can read about Git and GitHub-related content to learn more.4. Text EditorsWhether you are a beginner, intermediate, or expert programmer, every programmer’s coding journey starts with a text editor. It is an essential tool in a programmer’s daily life. Not only programmers, but even non-programmers use text editors for their purposes. There are many text editors available, such as Notepad++, Sublime Text, Atom, Brackets, Visual Studio Code, etc. Every programmer (especially beginners) should spend some time learning about text editors and using some keyboard shortcuts to become a smart and productive developer.5. IDE (Integrated Development Environment)An IDE allows you to write, modify, compile, run, and debug code. When selecting the best development environment, different programmers have different preferences based on the purposes or languages they are using. Every programmer should know how to use an IDE to write, compile, run, and debug their code. Using an IDE can accelerate their work, and there are many IDEs available for developers. For C, C++, and C# programmers, the most recommended choice is Visual Studio. For Python developers, PyCharm, Spyder, or Jupyter Notebook are also becoming increasingly popular. For Java developers, Eclipse, NetBeans, and IntelliJ IDEA are the best choices.6. DatabasesA fundamental skill for developers is understanding how to work with databases. Developers should know various operations, such as how to store records, create, insert, update, delete, etc. Without databases, no organization can create any type of application or software. When developers work on any significant business project, they also need to pay attention to security issues and manage complete organizational records with proper backups, which is why every organization wants developers to easily use databases and manage complete records securely. Undoubtedly, SQL is the most popular classic database among developers. If you want to be an excellent developer, you need to at least write basic SQL queries. Databases like Oracle, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Cassandra, Redis, etc., are available for use.7. Operating SystemsSoftware developers should have a basic understanding of operating systems and their mechanisms. When developers work on projects, they deal with many issues related to operating systems, such as memory usage, communication with another computer, slow program execution, tool conflict issues, blocking issues, etc. When developers write code on one computer and it doesn’t work on another machine, it can create severe problems in production. Therefore, it is essential to have a good understanding of the processes and mechanisms of the operating system you are using. Most programmers prefer to work on Linux, Windows computers, or Macs. Android and iOS are prime examples of mobile and tablet operating systems.8. Networking Basics70-80% of developers’ work involves making requests over the network to reach servers, allowing clients to access applications from anywhere in the world. Understanding basic networking is crucial for developers.If the architecture is poorly designed, it can create HTTP request issues over the network.In a client-server architecture, the server receives user or client POST requests over the internet and sends responses back to the client after processing the data requests.Today, most applications, such as web-based online games, business automation, or cloud computing client-server architectures, utilize this.9. Basics of TestingBefore releasing software to the market, software or applications must go through numerous test cases. Testing is an essential step to identify all errors and check if the software is ready to be handed over to clients. There are many testing methods, but developers should understand three important testing methods.The first is unit testing, where each individual module or class is tested correctly. There are many unit testing frameworks available, such as NUnit for C#, JUnit for Java, and Embunit for C or C++.The next test is integration testing, where developers must test the interactions between different blocks or modules. This test helps eliminate incorrect handling of data.The final test is system testing, which is performed on the fully integrated software. It belongs to black-box testing techniques and does not require internal technical knowledge.10. Cross-Platform SoftwareWhen designing or developing products, they should run on multiple platforms like Windows, Mac, Linux, etc. In simple terms, cross-platform allows you to write code once and share it across different platforms.For developers, creating a product that can be accepted by the maximum number of systems is crucial, as most users today are switching to mobile devices or smartphones to use that product or service. When software adapts to the maximum number of devices, it can ultimately increase the customer base.If you are a beginner or an experienced programmer, you should have knowledge of using cross-platform software to gain better career opportunities and facilitate software development.11. Encryption and CryptographyWhen creating web applications or software that use sensitive user information, it is crucial for developers to implement secure encryption keys to prevent various attacks. The security of sensitive user information and preventing sites from being hacked is a primary concern for every organization producing products or software.Developers need to understand how encryption algorithms work, how authentication works, and how cryptographic methods work. Data encryption primarily uses two methods: public key and private key. Public key encryption algorithms like RSA or ECDSA can be used to establish keys, and this key depends on the developer who wishes to choose it while keeping the overall security of the network in mind.Cryptography can help developers build secure systems, secure databases, and can assist in securely transmitting outputs over the network after processing requests. It is also used in secure error handling and allows the use of third-party libraries without worrying about security issues.12. SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle)SDLC is a step-by-step system development process used to develop software that ensures its quality and correctness. If you intend to become a software developer, you should understand the entire life cycle of software development from requirement analysis to product maintenance. SDLC is mainly divided into seven phases.
- Requirement Gathering and Analysis
- Feasibility Study
- Design
- Implementation and Coding
- Testing
- Deployment
- Maintenance
When you enter the programming phase, each stage in the development of software or applications is crucial. Developers should think critically at each stage of the SDLC and follow the appropriate processes to produce quality products. It also helps developers take preventive measures early before any issues arise that need to be addressed in the next steps.13. Microsoft ExcelDevelopers do not need to use Microsoft Excel when coding or implementing software, but it is an essential skill for them as it helps track progress, perform data analysis, check data quality, and maintain data, which is very useful for software project development. We cannot underestimate the use of Excel. Its uses go far beyond spreadsheets; it can not only help developers streamline their work but also leverage its features (such as searching, sorting, filtering, or any mathematical operations) to speed up their work.Microsoft Excel is also widely used to insert bulk data into databases. For junior developers, this tool is an essential part of the project. Therefore, it is a good idea to spend some time learning the basic functionalities of Excel.
