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How to Become a Software Developer: A Step-by-Step Guide
Software developers play an important role in the tech-driven world. Nearly everything we use today is tech-enabled. Mobile phones, smartwatches, and even refrigerators rely on in-built software applications to perform optimally. Thanks to software developers of the world that make it possible! And for doing so, they are paid handsomely. In 2023, a software developer earned an average of $132, 270 in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
With the increasing use of mobile phones, web, cloud, and other emerging technologies, the demand for software developers is skyrocketing. Between 2023 and 2033, the demand for software developers is expected to increase by 17% on average. If you’re planning to become a software developer or want to transition to software development roles, becoming a software developer will be an excellent opportunity.
Let’s explore the role of software developers, and their skills, and understand how their role is different from software engineers and web developers.
What Do Software Developers Actually Do?
Software developers build software applications. They collaborate with product designers, product managers, quality engineers, and other team members to bring software applications to life. They write code to build features in an application, debug a piece of code to improve the function of the application, test an application, and even mitigate security issues before the application is pushed to the users.
To do all the above tasks, a software developer needs a specific set of skills, including:
1. Programming Skills
Languages like Java, Python, JavaScript, PHP, etc. are frequently used to write code for software applications. The codes enable various features and functions of the application. A software developer spends a major chunk of their time at work writing codes and this requires a strong proficiency in programming skills.
2. Communication Skills
A software developer collaborates with multiple team members including testing engineers, product managers, and engineering managers almost daily. Software developers need to speak clearly about their challenges and objections with their team members. So, having good communication skills is a must-have for software developers.
3. Software Development Process
Software development is a multistep process, which usually starts with identifying the needs of the users of the application, designing the application by creating examples of wireframes, testing the application, and releasing the application. Being familiar with the process helps Being familiar with the process helps, especially when integrating various aspects such as front-end development services to ensure a seamless user experience.
4. Upskill
Software development is an evolving domain. New technologies keep emerging and older technologies keep improving. To stay abreast in software development, a software developer needs to continue learning. Cloud computing, blockchain, cryptocurrency, etc. are the latest skills that you can focus on as a software developer in 2025.
Are Software Developers and Software Engineers the Same?
By the looks of it, the role of a software developer and software engineer may look the same. However, the two roles are different, but not vastly different. Software engineers focus on how an application will be built and software developers focus on building the real application.
Similarly, the skills of software developers and software engineers overlap but are not entirely the same. Software developers’ skills are technology-specific. Software engineers’ skills are overarching, meaning they’re applicable to various technologies.
Are Software Developers and Web Developers the Same?
Software developers build applications that may or may not run on the web. Desktop applications for example run on desktops, but don’t necessarily require access to the web. So, a software developer with skills and experience in building desktop applications will not require any knowledge of web technologies. Web developers on the other hand build applications that are specifically built for the web primarily using web technologies, such as HTML, JavaScript, etc.
Now that we know what software developers do, let’s discover how you can become a software developer.
Steps To Become a Software Developer in 2025
Software development is a technical domain and needs specialized skills.
1. Pursue a degree in computer science or a related domain
A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a software-related field is the conventional way to embark on a career in software development. Most software development roles require at least a bachelor’s degree.
The coursework usually teaches you algorithms, data structures, programming, etc., which are the building blocks of software development. Your proficiency in these skills will help you stand out as a software developer.
2. Build your software development skills
Knowledge of tools and technologies is essential to succeed in software development. Languages such as Java, Python, and JavaScript, and technologies such as Cloud Computing (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, Cloudera, etc.), Docker, Kubernetes, etc. are essential tools for building small to large-scale applications. You should know these technologies well.
3. Work on projects
Working on projects gives you hands-on experience, making you aware of the challenges that come while building software or working on a software-related project.
4. Get a software developer certification
Software developer certifications demonstrate your expertise in software development. As new technologies emerge or evolve, taking a certification also empowers you to upskill and gain experience. Some popular certifications include:
- Amazon Junior Software Developer
- IBM Full Stack Cloud Developer
- Meta Android Developer Professional Certificate
- Meta iOS Developer Certificate
- Oracle Java SE 11 Developer
5. Get your first job
Build a resume that highlights your skills and experience. Start applying for entry-level jobs in software development and prepare for your interviews. You can also use your network to seek referrals at your favorite companies.
Conclusion
Software development is an evolving field. Numerous job opportunities for software developers exist, while new opportunities are being created. To become a software developer, learn the essential skills and work on projects to get the necessary experience for building software applications.
Related: How to Become a Business Analyst in 2025: Complete Career Guide
Related: How To Become a Business Intelligence Analyst: 5 Key Skills to Master
How To Become a Business Intelligence Analyst: 5 Key Skills to Master
Today, businesses are flooded with data. They need people who can translate this data to make decisions for their business. But this is easier said than done; it’s not just creating graphs and presentations, there’s a lot of data crunching involved to make data work.
Data is unstructured, unprocessed, and sometimes even unreliable. An analyst’s role is to take data and make the bigger picture clear for the stakeholders. That’s what makes a Business Intelligence Analyst’s role a coveted one. But what does it take to become a BI (Business Intelligence) Analyst? We will delve deeper into it, but let’s understand the role of a BI Analyst first.
What Does a Business Intelligence Analyst Do?
Simply put, a Business Intelligence Analyst helps businesses make decisions. They employ tools like SQL to extract necessary data and implement statistical methods like regression, ANOVA, etc., and tools like R and Python to uncover insights. On a typical day, an analyst can be found –
1. Collecting and analyzing data
Data resides in large databases, both inside and outside the organization. Collecting the data is a primary task for an analyst. The data could be sales data residing in the company’s CRM, market data available in market research reports, or a repository like public research. Analysts often use Serp API to extract valuable information from online sources. Analysts often use Python web scraping to extract valuable information from online sources. Collecting and cleaning data takes a huge chunk of an analyst’s time.
2. Interpreting data
A BI analyst uses statistical methods and other tools to find patterns within the data. The interpretation is conveyed to stakeholders as a graph or a presentation using visualization tools such as Power BI, Tableau, etc.
3. Collaboration and communication
A BI analyst spends time collaborating with people across the organization, including senior managers, executives, and other teams, using an instant messenger for business to understand business requirements and translate them into insights and business recommendations.
4. Monitoring and optimization
If you’ve built a data solution, monitoring and optimizing the performance of the solution becomes a part of the role, too.
5. Ensuring data security and compliance
There’s an increasing focus on data security. A BI analyst plays a critical role in ensuring data security by implementing protocols and taking measures that safeguard information.
Now that we know what a day in the life of a business intelligence analyst looks like. Let’s understand what it takes to become one.
Becoming a Business Intelligence Analyst: 5 Key Skills to Master
From soft skills like communication to hard skills like SQL, becoming a sought-after business analyst requires these five skills –
1. SQL
SQL (Structured Query Language) allows an analyst to access data stored in relational databases. Retrieving the data from the databases for further processing requires knowledge of SQL. Writing SQL queries, performing functions to group and manipulate data, joining tables, etc., are some of your actions.
2. Data Exploration
Gathering large amounts of data and seeing patterns within it is a critical skill for a BI analyst. Techniques like clustering, classification, etc., help with data exploration and prepare for further analysis.
3. Statistics
Retrieved data is processed using statistical methods like regression to help uncover insights. This is usually the second last step in the analyst’s workflow. Depending on how unstructured the data is, an analyst employs data cleaning techniques like data normalization or manages missing values from the data. This process is essential before analyzing the data.
4. R and Python
It’s excellent to know both R and Python; knowledge of one of the languages often suffices. These languages help analysts implement statistical techniques to decipher the gathered data.
5. Predictive Analytics
Based on historical data, techniques like forecasting using machine learning methods such as linear regression, time series, etc., help predict future outcomes. Understanding predictive analytics and knowing how to predict future outcomes for a business is a key skill to master for a BI analyst.
6. Collaboration and Communication
Communicating your ideas to key stakeholders and team members is crucial for BI analysts to excel in their careers. More often than not, you will collaborate with people across the organization, including developers, engineers, etc., it is essential to put forward your objections clearly so a problem can be solved. It is equally important to explain your ideas clearly, so every stakeholder can be on the same page as you.
Conclusion
Business Intelligence Analyst is a coveted role in the industry. If you’re looking to become one; get started today by learning the essential skills mentioned above. Remember to top up your learning with hands-on experience with industry projects – and fast forward your career as a BI Analyst.
Related: The Future of IT: Predictions and Trends for Businesses
Related: Best Leadership Assessment Tools To Improve Performance
Exploring The Best Leadership Assessment Tools To Improve Performance
Leadership is an essential quality for everyone, be it the CEO of an organization or a mere employee. This is because all tasks require someone to step up and be in charge. But how would you determine which person is suitable for such a job? This article discusses some leadership assessment tools that would help you identify your strengths and traits and those of your workers.
Leadership is an easy word but a huge responsibility. Not everyone is a born leader; thus, individuals must understand their strengths and weaknesses to hold such power. Mapping out the areas of development will help you deal with several challenges at a time without any hindrance. Becoming a leader is common, but becoming an inspiration is something to be very proud of; thus, the need for self-awareness arises. To learn about some of the best leadership assessment tools, keep reading.
What is a leadership assessment?
These are the ways in which one can analyze the level of their management skills. Some people in top positions aim to find out about themselves, whereas others utilize it to check the status of candidates applying for leadership roles. It is never harmful to check someone’s strengths and weaknesses before putting them in a position of responsibility.
Why is a leadership assessment important?
Defining an organization’s mission and vision is easy, but it is not so easy to live up to those goals. This test becomes crucial to ensuring your skills align with the goals. It will also give you an idea of individual issues and help you strive to become a better leader.
Top 5 leadership assessment tools to use in 2024
Clearly, there are many leadership tools out there that claim to be the best in the market. However, it is neither wise nor affordable to take all these assessments. Therefore, we have compiled a list of some of the best tools for you to leverage.
1. DISC Assessment
This type of assessment is widely popular because of its strategic approach. You can analyze various areas based on individuals’ behaviour. It gives employers a better understanding of someone’s way of reacting to situations. Interestingly, DISC stands for Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness.
2. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
The MBTI test is mainly used to assess the personalities of individuals. Moreover, it differentiates the nature of test takers easily by judging their character. It can largely help in checking whether a person is suitable for a specific job. The character traits on the basis of which we can differentiate are extroverted vs. introverted, thinking vs. feeling, judging vs. perceiving, and sensing vs. intuition.
3. Saville Assessment
This leadership assessment example is one of the most preferred among inspirational leaders. The test involves two domains: aptitude and personality tests. In the personality test, your behavior and likes are judged. That includes empathy, compassion, and flexibility. Meanwhile, in the aptitude test, a person’s verbal, numerical, spatial, error-checking, and reasoning abilities are checked. Not only this, the way of conducting this test varies depending on the sole reason behind it. In addition, it is also used when hiring someone new to the company.
4. Gallup Strengths Finder
This assessment was founded by the late chairman of Gallup, Inc., Don Clifton. Also known as CliftonStrengths, this test gives results on someone’s strengths. Interestingly, it motivates individuals to excel in their strengths rather than focusing on their weaknesses. The CliftonStrengths test is used for individuals looking to train themselves and identify their strongest traits.
5. Enneagram
It is a unique type of test that categorizes individuals based on their traits. Notably, it not only gives a brief on the personality that is visible from the outside but also explains a lot about the actions and reactions to several situations. However, the results vary with each individual because the reason behind the action is considered crucial in this type. Nevertheless, some people find this highly complicated; thus, do not attempt this test.
Conclusion
In essence, these are the various types of leadership assessment tools that would help you analyze your qualities. Meanwhile, if the results are unfavorable, you do not need to be disappointed. Detailed insights will help you evolve over time, as success is not achieved in one day.
‘Sons of The Forest’ Game Review: Offers News Survival But Familiar Challenges
With an interesting experience, the comeback of Sons of the Forest 1.0 had an exciting release following the debut of its original early access. Although, while playing the game, you will realize that the early access version and the original have similarities. However, in places, you will feel the Sons of the Forest’s original version to be more focused and interesting. Besides, despite the early access version being reviewed satisfactorily, the 1.0 had more exciting features in terms of world and experience.
With the ability to build an endless number of accessible shelters as you go through the spooky caves, the game is somewhat challenging. However, it’s easy to position yourself with accurate shelter, water, and food; hence, you don’t need to worry about the additional things. Despite the Sons of The Forest 1.0 release adding up challenges by making water sources tainted until you boil it, it’s not much to worry about. Since to make up for the problem you will be finding enough hydrating berries and energy drinks for energising yourself while you look for a pot that is needed to sterilise things.
Not only the energy drinks, but for building a shelter you can take help of the guide book that features a plethora of building recipes. Additionally, you can also take the assistance of Kevin for food gathering; Kevin is one of the two NPC characters that is designed to join your journey on the island.
The improvements you will feel in the Sons of The Forest 1.0 is in its island settings that is bound to recite its tales. Additionally, you will be receiving paper trails, notes, and new cutscenes that flesh out characters and past events. Hence, these transformations add more edges to the outlining while building depth to characters and events. With the series of caves giving way to bunkers, bunkers to somewhere else, and so on, there are clues and bodies everywhere that fill the gaps as you flash the story. Besides, in comparison to the Sons of The Forest 1.0 has more clarity and you will find it while expanding your reach in the island and finding key items. With it, you will be feeling much clearer in terms of what you are looking for, what is the location of the required things, and what are the requirements.
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Hence, with the useful guide, you can ease the frustration of working out where to go next and how you find tools and the need to go. In addition to it, tools like golf carts and hand gliders also speed up the process, and also works as a catalyst in the process of finding out the stuff. With undergrowth in tiny electric cars as you reach in between the locations adds joy in the overall process.
While Sons of The Forest early access version, realised it had the potential to be a horror game. With endless crafting and alone survival, it’s undeniable. With survival and craft to be played, the island is full of weird and mutated; hence, you will never feel safe. Besides, the caves have particularly horrific experiences.
Additionally, the late game pushes the survival aspect without any decent gear or the struggle to stay alive with darker and deeper caves that seek attention. Although the caves will give you a dungeon vibes as you risk your supplies and resources, the reward makes the danger worthy.
How to Buy Sons of The Forest?
While the game, Sons of The Forest, was released for Microsoft Windows on Steam, you can buy Sons of the Forest from the same platform. Sons of The Forest, on steam, features more than 16 languages that includes Italian, German, French, and Spanish, among others. Although the prices might vary from region to region, you can explore through its website to buy a copy for yourself.
Final Words
In the essence, the Sons of The Forest 1.0 has the best version of the game. Although the early access titles have some of the beginner’s vibes, the original version has been there from the start. An enthusiastic game, the updates have brought a recent framework. Hence, if you are a gaming enthusiast who was eagerly anticipating to play Sons of The Forest 1.0 has a plethora of surprises for you. Additionally, the gamers who have already experienced its original easy access, its updated and recently released version has come with more features, added bonus, and additional surprises for you.
Microsoft To Separate Office And Teams Amid EU Antitrust Concerns
Software giant Microsoft announced the sale of its app Microsoft Teams, used for chat and video connections, separately from its Office products across the globe. The American company announced this on Monday, just a few months after it segregated two of its products in Europe to avoid a potential European Union antitrust penalty.
Notably, the EU is probing Microsoft’s connection between Office and Teams after a rival workplace communication platform, Slack, filed a complaint in 2020.
Microsoft Teams was added to Office 365 in 2017 and has been free for users since then. It had become significantly popular after the need arose for a video conferencing app during the pandemic. The app’s competitors, however, have said that the bundling of Teams with Office is unfair to the competition. Due to the accusations, Microsoft had already segregated Office and Teams in the EU and Switzerland in August last year.
Reuters reported a spokesperson from the company saying,
To ensure clarity for our customers, we are extending the steps we took last year to unbundle Teams from M365 and O365 in the European Economic Area and Switzerland to customers globally.
Doing so also addresses feedback from the European Commission by providing multinational companies more flexibility when they want to standardise their purchasing across geographies,
With this implemented on April 1, 2024, users can either continue with their current license plans, which will include Office without Teams or choose to update or change the offer.
Also Read – OpenAI Announces New Voice Engine That Generates Human Voices
From now on, Microsoft Office without Teams will cost between $7.75 and $54.75, while the license for Teams will cost $5.25.
However, this move might not be adequate to avert the EU antitrust fine, as Microsoft has been facing constant criticism from its competitors. If and when it is found to violate the EU guidelines, it could be penalized with about 10% of its annual revenue.
Neuralink Shares Paralyzed Man Plays Chess After Brain Implant
Elon Musk’s neurotechnology company, Neuralink Corp., has attained yet another milestone. On Wednesday, the startup streamed a video in which a patient who had gone through a brain implant was seen moving a mouse and playing video games and chess on a computer using his mind.
29-year-old Noland Arbaugh is the first human to get the brain implantation of Neuralink’s device. Notably, Musk’s venture is building the brain-computer interface, which seeks to help paralyzed patients use neural signals to manage external technologies.
The first human received an implant from @Neuralink yesterday and is recovering well.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 29, 2024
Initial results show promising neuron spike detection.
Meanwhile, the billionaire announced Neuralink’s first product, Telepathy, through the self-owned social media platform X in January. His company has set a goal to allow individuals to use computers with the help of their thoughts. This groundbreaking idea could bring a significant change in the lives of individuals suffering from cervical spinal cord impairment or quadriplegia.
Musk reposted the video shared by Neuralink on his account. He wrote,
Livestream of @Neuralink demonstrating “Telepathy” – controlling a computer and playing video games just by thinking https://t.co/0kHJdayfYy
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 20, 2024
Nevertheless, the video has millions of views and is being shared extensively on the platform. An X user called the innovation
Simply incredible. The future of humanity.
Another user said,
Another Elon Musk company that improves the condition of humans! Elon loves humanity! His results speak for themselves!
The video features a Neuralink engineer along with Arbaugh, who shares that he was paralyzed from below the shoulder eight years ago in an accident. Later, he shares his joy of being able to play chess with the help of his mind. He says,
It’s crazy, so cool. I am lucky to be a part of this. It seems every day I am learning something new. I can’t describe how cool it is to be able to do this.
Although technology is not yet perfect and requires a lot of development, according to Arbaugh, it is groundbreaking, and no one should fear trying the process as it is “nothing to be afraid of.”
