Professional programmers are among the most sought-after technology professionals in the workforce, with rising demand and talent shortages leading to big salaries for many in the field.
That said, software development is a dynamic field in which new programming languages, frameworks, and technologies can live and die within a few years, and the needs of the job are constantly changing.
To help those interested in the field better understand how to get into a programming career, we've compiled the most important details and resources.
Why is there an increase in demand for programmers?
Every company has become a technology company to some extent, with digital transformation projects underway in most industries to avoid disruptions. This means that the demand for professional programming talent has skyrocketed in recent years as companies look for people who can bring digital projects and applications to life.
Among the 10 most in-demand jobs for 2022 are careers as a programmer, mobile application developer, software developer and DevOps engineer, according to a survey.
Meanwhile, jobs for programmers are believed to grow by 22% between 2019 and 2029 – much faster than the average rate for other professions.
Although technology jobs have fallen since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of e-commerce as companies shifted from in-person shopping to online shopping has caused demand for programmers, who create web applications, to rise. .
What will you do in your programming career?
Programmers are, in a way, digital architects who dedicate their careers to designing the technological features and functionality that we all take for granted. It's a fantastic profession, and if you've ever found yourself thinking about the gears behind the not-so-metaphorical machine of the internet, you've probably wondered how to become a programmer.
Take into account everything you've done online so far today. If you're like most tech-savvy people, you've probably checked your email, scrolled through your social media feed, and browsed some of your favorite websites—maybe even before breakfast. But have you ever thought about the work that went into the virtual platforms you visit every day?
Believe it or not, each of the websites, applications and games that you use in seconds is the result of hours of programming work.
Programmers who specialize in developing or maintaining computer programs may do some or all of the following:
- Discuss customers' computer program requirements;
- Discuss design specifications for programs;
- Create programs;
- Run tests to ensure that computer programs and systems are working properly
- maintain and update programs;
Software developers who specialize in website development may do some or all of the following:
- Develop a technical plan for the website and ways to promote it online;
- Suggest production methods and necessary equipment and investigate site costs;
- Contact designers and other staff to help design and maintain the website;
- Integrate the technical, visual and content aspects of the website to produce the finished product.
What are some aspects of a programming career?
Programmers can pursue several different careers. Here are some roles in the field:
Mobile Developer: builds apps for mobile devices, including iOS and Android. A mobile developer can use Java, Swift and Objective-C.
Full stack developer: It is capable of working on both the front-end and back-end parts of an application or website. A full stack developer has specialized knowledge of all stages of software development, including server, network and hosting environment; relational and non-relational databases; interaction with APIs; user interface and user experience; quality assurance; security; customer and business needs.
Front-end programmer: Builds websites by converting data into a graphical interface for the user to view and interact with, using HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
Backend Programmer: Builds the functionality and interactivity of a website, including the elements that allow users to perform actions such as logging in, creating an account, and liking posts. Depending on what you want your web application to do, you can learn languages including Java, Python, Ruby, and PHP.
What are the best programming languages to learn?
There's a lot of debate about which programming languages are best to learn at any given time, but here are some safe bets:
Java: Java is used by millions of programmers and billions of devices around the world. Java is the official language of Android development, and 90% of Fortune 500 companies use Java as a server-side language for back-end development.
Python: Python is commonly used in scientific computing, data mining, and machine learning. It is the fastest growing programming language. The Python language has also been ranked as the most loved programming language by developers.
JavaScript: JavaScript is the most popular programming language in the world. Sixty-two percent of recruiters look for people with JavaScript skills, followed by Java at 59% and Python at 48%.
Various front-end frameworks for JavaScript, such as React and AngularJS, will be increasingly used as Internet of Things devices become more popular, so the language is unlikely to fall in popularity anytime soon.
What other skills are needed for a programming career?
Outside of technical know-how, employers are increasingly looking for developers with strong interpersonal skills as well as technical skills. These little things can be the difference over uniformly qualified candidates, much more than certifications.
With the spread of agile development methodologies, programmers must show that they can integrate into qualified mixed development teams.
To be a productive member of these types of teams, programmers must be able to communicate clearly, report progress accurately, raise issues promptly, and generally be a good team member.
In today's ultra-competitive environment, soft skills in a programming career are now almost as important as technical skills. IT professionals can also be sought out to purchase electronic equipment such as a computer, notebook, router and even to choose a best 3d printer for your project.
Software developers need to have knowledge of:
- Computer software and systems
- programming languages and techniques;
- The impact of programs on computer hardware (such as monitors, keyboards and printers) and other software (computer programs);
- development processes software;
- Confidentiality, data security and data protection issues.
Decide which industry you are interested in
When considering how to break into a career as a programmer, your first step should be to determine a general direction for your career. Think about why you want to get into programming as a career — where do you want to go? What do you want to do or achieve in your programming career?
Although the average layman may associate more with technology programming, jobs are available in almost every sector. Companies in all sectors need web developers and programmers; a talented programmer can find his start in any field, from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to social services, healthcare, financial services and even agriculture.
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