Everyone can write “Hello world”.
Just programming is not enough
In 2023, researchers expect to estimate the number of programmers or software developers had reached approximately 27.7 million. Due to the constant rise of software engineers, the number is expected to keep growing. This year it is expected there will be around 28.7 million developers in the world.
And you are part of this statistic.
The statistics I have laid out show that just knowing or being good at the skill of programming is not enough.
In this article, I will be covering some extra things that a programmer or software engineer should have to set themselves apart from the masses.
- Git / Version control
I know this sounds like a given, but we need to master this. I am a victim of this laziness but it’s a must-have.
Git is a distributed version control system widely used in software development to manage and track changes in source code and other project files. Unlike centralized version control systems, Git allows each developer to have their local repository, complete with the entire project history. This decentralization enables developers to work independently on their copies of the codebase and merge their changes seamlessly. Git’s core functionality revolves around creating a series of snapshots of the project at different points in time, capturing the state of the files in the repository at each commit.
One key feature of Git is its ability to handle branching and merging effectively. Branches in Git allow developers to create separate lines of development for new features, bug fixes, or experimental changes. This allows multiple developers to work on different aspects of a project simultaneously without interfering with each other’s work. Merging is the process of combining changes from different branches, and Git’s merge algorithms ensure a smooth integration of changes, automatically resolving conflicts when possible.
Git also facilitates collaboration among developers by providing a robust system for sharing changes between repositories. Remote repositories, often hosted on platforms like GitHub or GitLab, serve as centralized hubs where developers can push and pull changes. This makes it easy to collaborate with team members, contribute to open-source projects, and track the evolution of a project over time. In summary, Git is a powerful version control system that enhances collaboration, preserves project history, and streamlines the development process by allowing developers to work on projects efficiently and collaboratively.
- Basic database knowledge
Basic database knowledge encompasses understanding fundamental concepts and components that constitute the foundation of data management systems. Databases are organized collections of data that can be easily accessed, managed, and updated. The data in a database is structured in tables, where each table contains rows and columns. Rows represent individual records, while columns define the attributes or fields of those records. This tabular structure provides a systematic way to store and organize information, promoting efficient data retrieval and manipulation.
Relational databases are a prevalent type of database system, and they use a relational model to establish connections between tables. Primary keys uniquely identify each record in a table, while foreign keys create relationships between tables. The Structured Query Language (SQL) is the standard language for interacting with relational databases, enabling users to perform tasks such as querying data, updating records, and defining database structures. SQL statements like SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE are fundamental for managing data within a relational database.
Normalization is a crucial concept in database design, aimed at minimizing redundancy and dependency in data. It involves organizing tables to reduce data duplication and improve data integrity. Another essential aspect is indexing, which enhances query performance by creating a data structure that allows for faster retrieval of records. Basic database knowledge also extends to understanding transactions, which ensures the atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability (ACID) properties of database operations. This ensures that database transactions are reliable and maintain data integrity even in the event of system failures. In summary, basic database knowledge includes understanding the structure of databases, relational models, SQL, normalization, indexing, and the principles of transactions, all of which are foundational for effective data management.
- Basic API knowledge
Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are essential components in software development that facilitate communication and interaction between different software systems. An API defines a set of rules and protocols that allow one software application to interact with another, enabling developers to access specific features or data without needing to understand the internal workings of the system they are interacting with. There are various types of APIs, but one common category is web APIs, which use standard web protocols like HTTP to enable communication over the Internet.
REST (Representational State Transfer) and SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) are two widely used architectural styles for designing APIs. RESTful APIs are known for their simplicity and scalability, utilizing standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) to perform operations on resources. RESTful APIs often return data in formats like JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) or XML (eXtensible Markup Language). SOAP, on the other hand, is a protocol that uses XML for message formatting and relies on a set of well-defined standards. While REST is more lightweight and suitable for simple interactions, SOAP is known for its robustness and is often used in enterprise-level applications.
API documentation is a critical aspect of API usage and development. Well-documented APIs provide developers with the information they need to understand how to make requests, what data to expect in responses, and any specific requirements or limitations. Swagger/OpenAPI and RAML (RESTful API Modeling Language) are examples of tools used for documenting APIs. Additionally, authentication and authorization are crucial considerations when working with APIs to ensure that only authorized users or applications can access the protected resources. Overall, having a solid understanding of API basics, including types, architectural styles, documentation, and security considerations, is fundamental for building and integrating software systems in modern development environments.
- Understanding pipelines/familiarity
In software development and various other fields, a pipeline refers to a set of automated processes that code, data, or any other set of changes goes through during its development lifecycle. A pipeline typically consists of several stages, each responsible for a specific task such as code compilation, testing, deployment, and more. The primary goal of a pipeline is to streamline and automate the process of delivering software or changes to a system, ensuring consistency, reliability, and efficiency in the development workflow.
Understanding pipelines involves familiarity with concepts like Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD). Continuous Integration is the practice of automatically integrating code changes from multiple contributors into a shared repository multiple times a day. This helps identify and address integration issues early in the development process. Continuous Deployment, on the other hand, takes automation a step further by automatically deploying code changes to production environments after passing automated tests and other quality checks. These practices are crucial for achieving a rapid and reliable software delivery cycle.
Familiarity with pipeline tools and platforms is also essential. Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, Travis CI, and GitHub Actions are examples of tools that facilitate the creation and management of pipelines. These tools enable developers to define the stages and tasks in the pipeline, set up automated tests, and deploy changes to different environments seamlessly. By understanding and utilizing pipelines effectively, development teams can improve collaboration, reduce manual errors, and accelerate the delivery of high-quality software.
Conclusion
The journey of becoming a proficient developer extends beyond mastering programming languages. Embracing additional skills like Git/version control, basic database knowledge, basic API understanding, and familiarity with pipelines is essential for setting yourself apart in a competitive landscape. While the wealth of information may seem overwhelming, taking it one step at a time and breaking it into manageable chunks can make the learning process more digestible.
Remember, you’re building upon existing knowledge, and each small step contributes to your growth as a well-informed and skilled developer. So, embrace the journey, stay curious, and strive to become a knowledgeable contributor to the ever-evolving world of software development.