Zero to Hero in software development

The gears of life are constantly shifting and software development has become the next big thing since oil wells.

According to Evans Data Corporation, there were 26,4 million software developers in the world in 2019, a number that is expected to grow to 27,7 million in 2023 and 28.7 million in 2024. This means if there is a perfect time to become a software developer, it is now. But what exactly is software development? What does a software developer do? How can I be a good software developer? These are all questions that will be answered in this short read.

Wikipedia defines software as a set of programmed instructions stored in the memory of stored-program digital computers for execution by the processor. Basically, it is a set of codes awaiting execution. The use of software started around the 1950s and has rapidly grown since then.

A software developer is one who creates these codes and ensures that the software performs as it should. There are several specializations for developers, examples are front-end, back-end, full-stack, mobile, game developers, and the list goes on

Getting that out of the way, the next thing is, what does it take to be a software developer? and more importantly a good one. In all honesty, there are various ways to achieve this singular goal of becoming a great software developer but I’ll select just a few important methods to discuss. Be rest assured that if these methods are diligently followed, the desired result will be achieved.

Declare your goal

Without focus, you will most likely end up wandering about without achieving anything substantial. You have to clearly declare your goal and define your objectives. Select the field of software development you want to focus on and gather related materials for learning. This will involve you doing a detailed study and survey on different types of programmers and how they operate.

Select a language to learn

Ever heard of the saying “Rome was not built in a day”? Becoming a great software developer is not an instant occurrence, it takes a lot of time and experience. There are several programming languages in existence, for example, C++, Java, Python and the list goes on. You have to start at a point and move further from there. Select a language to learn and begin learning to code using that language.

Certifications

Certifications go a long way to teach you, boost your portfolio and push you up the ranks as a software developer. There are several certification courses that will be useful to you, some are paid while others are free, so all you have to do is sign up and start up on one.

Read up

I do not think I have ever met a programmer that never read up. As it is nearly impossible to graduate from school without reading a book, likewise, the same theory applies to programming. Look for works by more experienced developers and read through them, study their patterns and their codes this will broaden your mind and give you exposure to content.

Practice

This goes without saying, “Practice makes perfect”. The more you practice, the more experience you gain and the more you improve your speed and accuracy. I don’t think I need to emphasize the importance of speed and accuracy to a developer.

Problem-solving

In the world of software development, with enough practice, anyone can achieve speed and accuracy, but what will set you apart from others is your ability to use that speed and accuracy to fix problems. The whole point of creating software is to fix certain problems or achieve certain aims. You need to expose yourself to several problem types and gain a lot of insight into fixing divergent problem types.

Master more languages

The saying goes “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” but they never spoke about a master of all trades. The more languages you master, the higher your adaptability rate. This means you can work in almost any field as long as you have mastery over the used language. This skill also makes you a desired developer.

Open Source Projects

The last point I have for you is to participate in open source projects. This will help you test your skill level, foster team spirit and boost your portfolio.

In conclusion, the journey from zero to hero in any field is not an easy one, and software development isn’t any different. There will be obstacles, it will be challenging, but the end result is worth it. Start now and before you know it, you’ll be up there among the distinguished.