How to Become a Software Developer: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Eligibility, Colleges, Jobs, Scope, Salary 2023

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Eligibility to Become a Software Developer

The minimum required eligibility criteria to become a Software Developer are listed below for your reference,

• Students must have to qualify for the 10+2 standard with a minimum percentage from a recognized institute to pursue a software developer.
• Students must have science as a stream in the 10+2 level.
• Some colleges and universities conduct entrance exams for enrollment. The entrance exams are BITSAT, JEE Main, JEE Advanced, SRMJEE etc. in which students have to score at least 50% marks to get admission.
• For diploma courses and bachelor’s courses, the duration is 3 years to 4 years.

What does a Software Developer do

The primary responsibilities of a Software Developer are listed below for your reference,

1. Designing and Creating Software: The main responsibility of a software development job is to develop functional software after performing extensive research on the specific requirements of the user.

2. Evaluating Both New and Existing Software: Software developers run tests on the software to ensure it is completely functional and free from bugs after coding and encrypting. They have to perform quality assurance (QA) tests and diagnostic programs on newly designed software prior to their launch as well as the existing projects so as to test their efficacy and reliability quotient.

3. Enhancing Existing Software Systems: The job of a Software developer is to monitor user feedback and suggestions and incorporate those suggestions into the existing software infrastructure to continually improve it. Software developers must be able to identify the core functionality of software programs and enhance their performance and security level.  

4. Maintenance Of Existing Systems: Software developers have to continually monitor and maintain the efficacy of both the new and existing software systems by running QA tests from time to time. Software developers have to find solutions to the problems arising and eliminate them in due time.

5. Collaborating With Other Teams: Software developers have to collaborate with other developers in his/her team like project managers, computer programmers, graphic designers, and database administrators. They have to regularly consult with clients and project managers to learn about the progress of their software projects.

Types of Software Developers

Listed below are the various types of Software Developers based on their area of work and specialisation,

1. Full Stack Developer: The role of a full stack developer is to design user interactions on the website. They work or are expected in both front and back-end coding. Their role is to develop servers, databases, and coding for mobile.
2. Web Developer: Web developers work in the design, coding, and layout of the website according to the requirements of the company. They should have two mandatory skills that are graphic design and computer programming.
3. Desktop Developer: They write software application codes. They develop software solutions according to the client's needs. They evaluate and perform updates in existing applications.
4. Mobile Developer: They develop Androids, IOS, and Microsoft Windows app. They develop programming interfaces for mobile function support. They keep updated with the terminology. They update the mobile app's concepts also.
5. Graphics Developer: They oversee the budget, prepare rough ideas and present them to the team. They develop logos and designs with the help of digital software or by hand.
6. Game Developer: They develop and determine milestones. They animate characters and generate scripts, and stories for the game. They produce gameplay ideas and an engine on which the game can run. 
7. Big Data Developer: The role of a Big Data developer is to work on trillions of bytes of data every day. They use languages like Ruby, C++, Java, etc. they are related to software developers.
8. Security Developers: They are the ones who develop security applications or software for companies. They overlook the code and improve the security of the software. They test new technologies and strategies.
9. DevOps Developer: Their role is to understand the needs of stakeholders and develop tools according to them. They update the production.

Steps to Become Software Developer

Some of the key steps that must be taken up in order to become a Software Developer are listed below for your reference,

• Get Relevant Degrees: The primary step in the process of becoming a Software Developer is to get a relevant degree. Students aspiring to become Software Developers must pursue an Undergraduate degree in Software Engineering Courses or Computer Science Courses. One does not need to have a background in technology to be able to pursue the course, however, a head starts in some of the course module. Apart from an Undergraduate degree, one can also choose to pursue an Associate Degree in Software Engineering to be able to join any organisation as a full-time Software Developer.
• Choose Specialization: A Software Developer typically specializes in Computer Applications Software or Computer Systems Software. Applications Softwares allow users to perform a specific task on the other hand Systems Software deals with tasks such as File Management, operating systems etc. 
• Get an Internship: Apart from the educational qualifications, one must upscale themselves by inculcating or inducing various skill sets that are crucial for becoming a Software Developer. Through internships, one can get a hands-on experience as well as put your knowledge and ideas into practice. Internships also help build a strong resume which eventually helps you land your first break in the software developing industry. Also having internships across more than one organization, helps you take a clear call on which particular organizations you would like to work.
• Pursue Certifications: There are a number of certifications such as Oracle Certified Java Programmer, Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer etc which prove to be excptionally useful not only in building a rack solid foundation but also when it comes to differentiate candidates while interviewing them at entry level. 
• Get a Masters Degree: With gradual experience, a Software Developer can scale up the lader to Information Technology Managers who are mainly responsible for overseeing various Software Development projects. For an advanced role like these, it is essential to have a Masters degree in relevant subject. One can also pursue MBA in Technology Management in order to be able to get across the role along with an exceptional skill of multi tasking. 

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How to Become Software Developer in India

In order to become a Software Developer, there are a listy of steps that needs to be followed for an effective and hassle free journey, Listed below are the steps for your reference.

• School Level Preparation: Students who want to pursue software development or engineering courses after 10+2, then have to take the science stream in higher secondary school with physics, chemistry, maths (PCM) or physics, chemistry. Mathematics, Biology (PCMB) as main subjects.

How to Become a Software Developer After 12th

Students should prepare for JEE main from the 10+1 level to get a good score and admission on the first attempt.

• UG Preparation: Students have to qualify for 10+2 and entrance exams to pursue UG level entrance exams taken by colleges and universities for software engineering courses. There is no age limit to pursue the course. You can start preparing for the entrance exam after 10+2. You should score at least 50% to 55% marks in 10+2 to get admission to a good UG course.
• PG Preparation: Students have to score at least 50% marks in graduation to pursue the post-graduate course. You should do an internship for a good experience in fieldwork. M. Tech software engineering can be pursued after B. Tech in software engineering.

Benefits of Becoming a Software Developer 

The key benefits of becoming a Software Developer are listed below for your reference,

• Salary: This professional gives a good package for an annum. Most people have a dream to be a software developer whereas some want a good salary package. It is a respectable profession with hard work. You can get an attractive salary in India and Abroad with this profession.
• Job Security: It is a long term job, you can be employed in a company or you can start your own business or company for more security. The rate of employment is very high in India.
• Positive Impact of the Career: This profession has a positive impact on an individual's life. The pay rate of software developers is high. You can work in any private company or government. You will have a comfortable working environment.
• Higher Studies: You have various courses available after the 10+2. You have bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level courses. There is no end to learning new things with others.
• Unique Experience: Students will have a unique and positive experience while pursuing the course as you make the software according to you. You learn new skills, new designs, new experience.

Skills Required to Become Software Developer

The skills required in a candidate to become a Software Developer are tabulated below for your reference,