Programming is a fun field for those who have an interest in the field of computer science and enjoy problem-solving. If you are about to take this field as a career, make sure that you love programming. If you don’t love it – and I really mean love it – it will make your life miserable.
There are times when you are stuck with one problem for hours and want to pull off your hair. But it makes you feel like you have served the purpose of your life once you have solved that problem.
If you are still here reading this article, then you are probably ready to take on this challenge.
This article is written for young programmers who have decided to make a career in this field and need some guidance. Here are some tech-related things that every programmer should know if he wants to be successful.
Beginning is the Most Difficult
You won’t hear any good stories about the time someone entered the field of programming. It’s the most difficult and challenging phase of the life of a programmer. You don’t really know much about the programming or the technology you are working on, so you hit a problem at every little stage and get stuck for hours.
When you ask a senior to help you out, you will hear the words “Google it”. They will say that it’s better if you search for it on the internet. You will learn more this way, and that’s how it should be done. Only after you are done searching and admitted defeat should you go to them. They are not wrong; this is how programmers are trained.
This is why you will be spending a lot of time doing research on the internet about how to solve little problems, which will take hours. This means you will be missing a lot of deadlines, and there will be a lot of pressure on you.
You will also be worried about your performance based on which you will get your increment. All of this is a part of learning and every programmer goes through this phase. In the end, everything will be alright and you will be skilled enough to be training others within a year.
There are Too Many Options
You can be a developer for one of or all three platforms.
- Mobile applications
- Web applications
- Desktop applications
Even after choosing one platform, you have to decide what language you are going to use. There are just too many programming languages. If you have learned the C language, which is the mother of all languages, you won’t have much problem learning any other programming language. There are now shorter and smarter versions of the programming languages that make the process of software development way shorter than before. Some of the most popular languages are:
- Java
- C#
- Python
- Swift
- Different variants of PHP
If you don’t want to go into much technical field of programming, you can choose WordPress development. It doesn’t take too long to learn and it’s a lot easier to master.
Even after a platform and programming language, you need to know what framework to choose. You have to consider which framework offers a better career and has the diversity to offer. You also shouldn’t ignore your own interest. Some popular frameworks are:
- Laravel for PHP
- .NET for C#
- Ruby on Rails
The Use of Emulators
Programming is only done on a computer like desktop or laptop, but you have to create applications for all sorts of devices. For example, if you are building an app for an android device, the programming will still be done on a computer, which is not something you already don’t know. However, what you might not know are emulators that make this possible.
In addition to using the specific framework, you have to install emulators that allow you to see how the app will work and look on its native device. As a programmer, you must familiarize yourself with different emulators, especially ones related to your field.
It’s easier if you are developing simple management for a desktop or a web application. However, you always need an emulator for mobile applications.
Likewise, as you progress in your field and take on advanced projects, you will also feel the need for terminal emulators that support multiple platforms such as IBM 3270, IBM 5250, DEC VT terminals, and Televideo. If you choose the .NET Framework to work with C# language, you should know what emulators professionals use. One of the popular tools for the job is TTerm by Turbosoft; you can click here to learn more about it.
Database and SQL
No matter what programming field you choose, you can’t run away from the use of databases. You might be building an application that deals with the front end or connects two applications; there will still be data involved. Every IT student knows where there is data; there is a database to store it.
You have to learn about databases, how they operate, and how you can handle them. If you are studying Computer Sciences, you must have already studied SQL (Structured Query Language).
It’s necessary to store and fetch data to and from the databases. Some of the most popular database management systems are offered by Oracle, Microsoft, and IBM. At some point in your career, you will have to deal with all of them.
Scrum Could Lead to Better Career
It’s not something you need to learn right away. However, you should consider learning if you are ambitious about your career. Remember, you won’t always be a programmer. Eventually, you will become a team lead and then manager.
If you want to climb the ladders faster than others, you should prepare for your goals. Scrum is an agile framework that deals with the management of IT projects. Becoming a scrum master will open many new opportunities for you and increase your market value. It’s also crucial if you want to become your own boss one day.