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If you have been doing software development for some time and thinking what makes a good programmer? What should a programmer learn in 2024 to become a better developer? What should computer science graduates learn in advance for a career in software development and programming? What are the skills expected of a junior developer are some of the common questions I receive from many students on Facebook and Emails who follow me.
These are mostly college graduates and beginners who now have access to a wealth of information thanks to the internet and are eager to learn skills in advance to prepare for their programming job interviews.
In this article, I'll share 11 skills, which I believe, every programmer should know or learn in 2024. This includes a programming language like C++ or Java, essential computer science concepts like Data Structures, Algorithms and Computer Network basics, crucial tools like Git, Docker, Kubernetes and containers in general, Cloud computing concepts and platforms like AWS, GCP, Microsoft Azure, and evergreen skills like SQL and UNIX, editors like Eclipse or Visual Studio Code, and text editors, like VIM and NotePad++, etc.
This list is by no means complete, but it provides you with a good starting point for skills a programmer should know. If you are aiming for a career in software development and looking for a programming job, then these are things you can learn and improve to stay ahead of your competition.
Top 12 Essentials Skills for Software Developers in 2024
Without further ado, here is a list of skills which I believe, every programmer should know, irrespective of the job he is doing. These are essential skills and will serve you for a long time. Any investment made into this in terms of time, money, and effort will help you to reap the rewards throughout your career.
1. Gen AI and Prompt Engineering
The number 1 skill developers can learn in 2024 is Gen AI and Prompt Engineering. developers can benefit significantly from learning prompt engineering in 2024, especially given the growing importance of generative AI like ChatGPT. Prompt engineering involves crafting specific instructions or queries to guide the responses of large language models, enhancing their usefulness.
Java developers can leverage prompt engineering to interact effectively with ChatGPT for various tasks, such as generating code snippets, solving programming challenges, or obtaining insights into complex problems.
By mastering prompt engineering, Java developers can optimize their interactions with ChatGPT, ensuring more accurate and tailored responses to their queries. To delve into prompt engineering, developers can explore the Coursera course "Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT."
This course provides practical insights into creating effective prompts, understanding the principles of prompting, and employing advanced strategies for improved interactions with generative AI models like ChatGPT. It's a valuable resource for Java developers seeking to enhance their skills in leveraging generative AI technologies for diverse applications.
There is also a Coursera project called ChatGPT Prompt Engineering for Developers by Andrew Ng, one of Coursera founder and AI expert. You can also join this course to learn Prompt Engineer for developer productivity.
By the way, instead of joining these courses and specialization individually, you can also join the Coursera Plus, a subscription plan from Coursera which gives you unlimited access to their most popular courses, specialization, professional certificate, and guided projects.
2. Containers (Docker and Kubernetes)
In 2024, I believe every programmer, software engineer, data scientist, and even project manager should know about containers and tools like Docker and Kubernetes.
It's proven now that containers like Docker not only help developers to test their applications in a unified environment but also simplify the deployment process.
With the help of Docker, you can quickly deploy your application with all of its dependencies in one shot, it also provides you process isolation. Similarly, Kubernetes, which is a container orchestration tool, takes it to the next level and can manage containers for you.
This means you do not need to worry about the Scalability of your application, and Kubernetes or K8s can do that for you automatically. If you want to learn a new skill in 2024, I suggest you learn Docker and Kubernetes, it will not only help in your current job but also in the next post as they are also the most sought-after skills by companies of all sizes.
And, if you have already realized the importance of containers and looking for a resource to learn Docker and Kubernetes, I suggest you join Stephen Grider's best-selling course - Docker and Kubernetes: The Complete Guide, one of the best course to learn these two essential skills.
3. Cloud Platform (AWS, GCP, or Azure)
Apart from containers, the Cloud is another thing that I think every Software developer and Data Scientist should learn in 2024. Companies of all sizes and domains are now shifting their environments into Cloud for cost-saving and better scalability, which means sooner or later, you need to work with cloud-native applications.
They are also essential for all the sunrise development in the field of Data Science, Machine Learning, and Artificial intelligence because the only cloud can provide the computing power needed by those resource-hungry models.
Learning Cloud platforms like Amazon Web Service (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP) or Microsoft Azure will take you one step ahead of your competitors not only in your current job but also in the next post. You don't need to learn all of them, and in fact, learning one means you will have a fair idea about others.
To start with, I suggest you learn AWS as it is the most popular and most mature cloud platform and there is a strong demand for developers and system admins with AWS knowledge if you need a resource then I recommend the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate 2024 course by Stephane Maarek, the AWS Hero. It will not only help you learn AWS in-depth but also prepare you for AWS certification.
4. Data Structure and Algorithm
If you want to become a programmer, then you ought to know Data Structure and Algorithms well; there is no escape. This is one of the important topics of any programming job interview, and without you knowing basic data structures, like an array, linked list, map, set, it's not possible to write a real-world application.
That's why every programmer should put a serious effort into learning the Data structure and Algorithm during their computer science course.
If you are a self-taught programmer, then also you must know Data structure and algorithm; in fact, many programming boot camps will teach you Data structure and algorithm as the first thing.
If you want to learn it from yourself, then Data Structures and Algorithms: Deep Dive Using Java is the right place to start with.
5. A Version Control Tool (Git)
Source control is used to store code, and if you want to become a coder or software developer, you must know version control tools like Git and SVN.
Thankfully Git and Github have streamlined the market, and now more than 70% of organization uses Git; hence you can get away by just learning Git.
Btw, you should put some effort into learning Git well, like you should be comfortable with advanced version control concepts like branching and merging as well as the tool itself, e.g. both on the command line and using GUI. For beginners, The GitHub Ultimate: Master Git and GitHub is the right place to start with.
6. Text Editors (VIM)
There is not a single day when I have not used a text editor while working as a programmer. It's one of the essential tools even for non-programmers and anyone who works with computers.
I have mostly used NotePad on Windows and VIM on Linux, but nowadays, you have a lot of choices available in terms of advanced editors like Sublime and NotePad++, which provide IDE-like functionalities.
I suggest you spend some time learning your favorite Editor and keyboard shortcuts, productivity tips are something you can learn. If you like VIM, then VIM MasterClass by Jason Cannon is an excellent course to learn such skills.
7. IDEs (VSCode or IntelliJIDEA)
The modern IDES like Eclipse or Visual Studio Code is the most critical tool for any programmer. For C, C++, and C# programmers, the choice is clear, Visual Studio and for Python developers, Jupiter Notebook is getting better and better every day.
For Java Programmers, there are three primary IDEs to choose from, like Eclipse, NetBeans, and IntelliJ, while Eclipse is my favorite, IntelliJIDEA is not bad at all.
If you happen to be an IntelliJ IDEA fan, then I suggest you go through IntelliJ IDEA Tricks to Boost Productivity for Java Devs to learn your IDE better.
8. Database and SQL
SQL is a classic, it's been around for more than 30 years, and I think it will be around for another 30 years. Given the omnipresence of the database, it's expected from a programmer that he is familiar with essential database concepts like normalization and table design along with SQL.
There are many databases, like Oracle, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, etc. but knowing just one is enough. The critical point is that you should be familiar with the database. You should know how to insert/update/delete data and write SQL queries to retrieve it.
Knowledge of advanced concepts like joining an aggregate function is a big bonus, and if you want to get that, then The Complete SQL BootCamp is a great place to start with.
9. UNIX (Linux)
Like SQL, UNIX also has withstood the test of time. It's also been around for more than 30 years, and I hope it will be there for many more coming years.
Since most of the time, programmers have to work in a UNIX machine, like Linux servers, good knowledge of the Linux command line goes a long way.
It allows you to work effectively. You can search files, know what's going on with the system by checking its CPU and memory usage, and perform basic and advanced tasks.
If you want to learn Linux commands, I suggest going through Learn Linux in 5 Days and Level Up Your Career course on Udemy.
10. An OOP Programming language (C++, Java or Python)
As a programmer, you must know a programming language like C++ or Java or maybe Python or JavaScript. You can choose whatever you want to, but my suggestion is that you should at least know Java.
It's straightforward to start with, and that's why the right choice for beginners. It's also immensely powerful and allows you to do virtually anything.
It has libraries for doing basic stuff, like web development Big Data, and so on. If you decide to learn Java, then The Complete Java MasterClass is probably the best place to start with.
11. Networking basics
Today's world is interconnected, and anywhere you go, you will find computer networks, starting from home where you are using WIFI across many devices to school, college, and offices, which use Local Area Networks (LAN) to the Internet.
Most of the applications you will write will also not be standalone, but the client-server kind of use where the request will go through the network to a server. Clients will access your application from anywhere in the world.
The bottom line is that you must understand the networking basics to understand, develop, and support your application. If you want to learn more, then I suggest you join The Complete Networking Fundamentals course on Udemy. A good starting point for beginners.
12. Scripting language
In point # 8, I have asked you to learn a Programming language, and here I am asking you to learn a scripting language. Why? Can the same programming language not be used as a scripting language?
Well, there is undoubtedly some language that is suitable for both OOP coding and scripting like Python, and that's why I asked you to learn it at least, but if you happen to learn C/C++ or Java, then you can't whip out something as quickly as a Python or Perl developer can do.
If you want to learn Python and need a course, The Complete Python Bootcamp is a great course to start with.
The scripting language makes it easy to create tools and scripts to solve common problems in the programming world. If you have a good command over a scripting language, e.g. Python, then you can automate mundane stuff easily.
Once again, I suggest you learn Python to kill two birds with one stone, and if you need some more resources, this list of free Python courses is also beneficial.
That's all about 11 skills every Programmer should learn. Computer science graduates and people who aspire to become programmers can use this list to find out about things like tools and skills to become successful programmers.
Btw, if you are interested in learning more about things programmers should know, there is a lot of guidance available in terms of essential stuff for programmers, and you can find man great advice on the internet like 97 Things Programmer should know, a must-read for every serious programmer.
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