Software Developer Qualifications

Eligibility to Become a Software Developer

To become a software developer, there are certain minimum qualifications that must be attained. Software developer qualifications that are ideal are listed below-

• Students should have taken the Science stream in their 10+2 level.
• Students should have qualified for their 10+2 with minimum percentage criteria from a recognized institute.
• Nowadays, just doing 10+2 is not sufficient to get into a college. Various state and national-level entrance exams must be cleared to get admission to a college that offers a software engineering degree. One of the most famous national-level entrances is the JEE exam.
• Should have enrolled in a diploma or bachelor's course aligned with software development which has either a 3-year or 4-year duration respectively.
• Although it is good to have a degree, nowadays numerous companies prioritize individuals with a strong skill set and coding proficiency. It is advisable to enhance your abilities and attain expertise in at least one programming language.

What Does a Software Developer Do?

Now that we know what software developer qualifications should be, this question might arise what exactly a software engineer does? So, we will understand what is included in the daily responsibilities of a software developer.

• Design and create new software which is functional and bug-free. It needs research on user requirements.
• Software development does not only mean creating new software. It also deals with maintaining previous and existing software. The existing software also needs to be monitored and its efficiency needs to be maintained by running various QA tests.
• A software developer also needs to maintain proper documentation by creating flowcharts, diagrams, documentation of code, and writing comments in the code.
• Collect, analyze, and summarize various software issues to provide accurate data.
• To develop software by following the software development standards.
• Collaboration with project managers, testers, UI/UX designers, and database administrators is necessary for software developers to work effectively in a team.
• As a software developer, it is important to monitor user feedback and suggestions and integrate them into the current software infrastructure to ensure ongoing improvements.

Types of Software Developers

There are various categories under software developers. They are as follows-

• Front-end developer- A front-end developer is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing user interface components of a website or web application that are visible to the end users.
• Back-end developer- A back-end developer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the server side of web applications or software. They work closely with front-end developers, database administrators, and others to ensure reliability and security.
• Full stack developer-A full stack developer is responsible to handle both the front-end and back-end of the application. They play a crucial role in ensuring that the web application is functional, user-friendly, secure, and performs well.
• DevOps developer- A `DevOps developer ensures the successful delivery and operation of software applications. By automating the development and deployment process, DevOps developers help to ensure that software is delivered quickly and reliably, with a focus on quality and security.
• Mobile developer- A mobile developer is responsible to create software for mobiles. They develop apps for Android and iOS. Mobile developers help to create high-quality mobile applications that meet the needs and expectations of users.
• Big Data developers- They are responsible to design and maintain large-scale processing systems. To become a Big Data developer, one needs to be proficient in data analytics and programming.
• Game developer- A game developer is responsible to create games, animate characters, design a script and an engine on which the game can run.

Roadmap to Become a Software Developer

There are various steps associated with the process of becoming a software developer. The first and foremost are obtaining a relevant degree and sticking to software developer qualifications, getting some certifications, and getting a hang of the industry working from relevant internships. Although remember, skills are more important than your degree so always upskill yourself. Be proficient in at least one programming language and stay updated about new technologies. To get more information about the same, refer to here .

Software Development Courses

One of the most demanding jobs globally is Software Development. Especially in India, the IT sector is expanding rapidly that's why software development jobs are in high demand.

a. Certificate Programs

Certificate programs are short-term courses to get acquainted with programming. They teach you the important concepts of programming and software development. You can pursue such certification programs after 10, 12, or even graduation. These programs are designed in such a way that you will gain proficiency in at least one important programming language, and you will understand the concepts related to the same. After this is completed, you can earn an average of 2-4 LPA depending on the role you get.

These programs can be pursued in 2 ways- online and offline. Let us understand what they offer.

Online

There are various free as well as paid courses that are certified. There are top industry experts who teach you various concepts. The duration of these courses varies but the average duration is 7 days to 2 months. The price of the course varies according to what the course offers and the duration.

Offline

Many institutes offer offline certification courses. The length of these courses can range, although the typical timeframe is months. The cost of the course is dependent on both its content and duration. You will have to go to the training center to attend their sessions.

b. Diploma and PG Diploma Courses

The courses in Software Engineering, whether a diploma or postgraduate diploma, provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to learn about software development. These courses are particularly beneficial for computer professionals, as they offer the opportunity to enhance their expertise in software design and maintenance. The approximate duration of these courses is about 1-2 years. Upon completion of a diploma course in software engineering, the typical salary is approximately 5 lakh.

Bachelor’s Courses

The Bachelor's course is an offline course that fetches you a degree after completion. The approximate duration of these courses is about 3-4 years. Admission to these courses is based on state or national-level entrance exams. Based on the skill set, a student who has completed the bachelor's course can get a job with a salary ranging from 4-7 lakhs.

Master’s Courses

Students who desire to advance their knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of software development often pursue master's degree programs. Admission to these programs is typically based on either the student's performance in their undergraduate studies or on their score in the university or institute's entrance exam. In most cases, these programs have a duration of two years.

Doctorate Courses

These are Ph.D. courses that are pursued after getting a master's degree. The admission process for the University is solely based on the entrance exams conducted by the institution. Following the completion of a Ph.D. in Software Engineering, graduates can pursue career paths such as Software engineering, or Professor at prestigious institutes and organizations.

Benefits of a Career as a Software Developer

• Salary and perks offered to a software developer are very decent. As your experience increases, the salary also increases exponentially.
• Working as a software developer can have a positive impact on an individual's life, as it is a high-paying profession with opportunities available in both private companies and government organizations.
• Many of the companies sponsor` your higher education if you join them. This is also one of the benefits.
• Great learning curve is provided as you have to constantly learn new tech stacks and keep updated with the current trends in the market.

Skills Required to Become a Software Developer

To become a software developer, you need both soft skills and hard skills. Technical skills are also known as hard skills. As a software engineer, it is expected to have good programming skills, logic developing ability, proper debugging skills, proper code writing, and writing tests. But these alone do not suffice the requirement of a brilliant software programmer. Along with technical skills, it is important that software engineers should also shine in their soft skills. While your technical skills land you an interview or even a job, to sustain it, excel in your field, and maintain a good rapport with your colleagues, you need really good soft skills. They are a part of software developer qualifications.

Soft Skills

Soft skills are not just good to have but they are a vital necessity for software engineers. They not just determine your designation but also determine your personality traits. They make you distinct and stand apart from the crowd. They make you more approachable as you can build your network and eventually plethora of opportunities are open for you.

Hard Skills

Hard skills as mentioned earlier are various technical skills. They are required for your job responsibilities and performance. These skills can be learned through practice and training. Some of the hard skills include programming, data analytics, and much more.

Salary of a Software Developer

The average annual salary for the job of a software developer is given as follows. The data provided is gathered by referring to various sources on the internet. The salary also depends on the software developer's qualifications.`

Average Annual Salary

Specialisation Wise Salary

Gender-Wise Salary

The gender-wise salary can differ according to various factors such as location, role, skills, and experience. In various places, there might be a gender bias between females and males but many companies are trying to bridge the gap between male and female employees.

Experience Wise Salary

Scope of Software Developers

Software development has a vast scope and it is highly versatile. Software developers play a vital role in the design, development, and maintenance of software applications, and other technology-based solutions and their scope is continually growing due to the constantly evolving nature of technology. With the digital transformation of businesses and organizations, there is a high demand for skilled software developers, and they have many career opportunities in various areas, such as web development, mobile development, artificial intelligence and machine learning, cybersecurity, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

It also offers a wide range of career opportunities. Many businesses and industries are opting for digital solutions that need software developers and the demand will continue for a long.

Additional Resources

1. Difference between Software Engineer and Software Developer