Writing code is only part of a software developer’s job. Most of the day is spent working with a small set of tools: one to track changes, one to talk to databases, one to write and debug code, and a few more to package, deploy and report on what you build. Knowing these tools well makes it easier to work on a team, pick up new projects and show employers what you can do.
Below are seven tools that show up again and again in software development work, what each one is used for, and where they connect to Edison College’s Software Development diploma.
1. Git and GitHub
Git is a version control system: it records every change made to a codebase, so you can see who changed what, roll back mistakes and work on new features in separate branches without breaking the main code. GitHub is a hosting platform for Git repositories that adds pull requests, code review and issue tracking.
On almost any development team, your work moves through Git. A public GitHub profile with your own projects is also one of the simplest ways to show a hiring manager what you can build.
2. SQL
SQL (Structured Query Language) is the standard language for working with relational databases such as MySQL, PostgreSQL and Microsoft SQL Server. Developers use it to create tables, store and update records, and pull out exactly the data an application needs.
Even if you mostly write application code, understanding how data is structured and queried helps you build faster, more reliable features and troubleshoot problems when something goes wrong.
3. Python
Python is a general-purpose programming language known for its readable syntax. It is used for web back ends, scripting and automation, data analysis and machine learning, and it has a large library of packages for almost any task.
Because it is approachable, Python is a common first language, but it stays useful long after you learn it, especially for automating repetitive work.
4. Docker and Kubernetes
Docker packages an application and everything it needs to run into a container, so it behaves the same on a developer’s laptop, a test server and in production. Kubernetes manages containers at scale: it starts and restarts them, spreads the load across servers and rolls out updates.
You do not need to be a Kubernetes expert as a new developer, but knowing how containers work makes it much easier to understand how modern applications are deployed in the cloud.
5. A code editor or IDE (VS Code)
Every developer needs a good editor. Visual Studio Code is a free code editor from Microsoft with built-in debugging, an integrated terminal, Git integration and thousands of extensions for different languages. Full IDEs such as Visual Studio or IntelliJ add more project and debugging tools for specific languages.
Learning your editor’s shortcuts, search-and-replace with regular expressions, and debugger will save you time on every project.
6. Cloud platforms (AWS and Microsoft Azure)
Many applications now run in the cloud rather than on a company’s own servers. Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure are two of the largest cloud platforms. They provide virtual servers, storage, databases and services that let a small team launch and scale an application without managing physical hardware.
Knowing the basics of at least one cloud platform, such as how to deploy an app, store files and control access, is increasingly expected of developers.
7. Excel
Excel may not look like a developer tool, but it shows up everywhere: checking data exports, building quick test data, comparing results and sharing numbers with non-technical colleagues. Features such as lookups (VLOOKUP and XLOOKUP), filters and PivotTables let you answer questions about data quickly without writing a script.
How these tools connect to Edison’s Software Development diploma
Edison College’s Software Development diploma runs 52 weeks (1,040 hours) and can be taken in class at our Victoria, BC campus or online. Several of the tools above appear directly in the curriculum, including Python, SQL and Introduction to Databases, Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure. The program also covers programming fundamentals, C, C++ and C#, Java, JavaScript and jQuery, PHP, HTML and CSS, object-oriented software design, web development, UX and UI fundamentals, the .NET Framework and team communications.
Want to learn more about the field first? Read what a junior software developer job involves, how a software development diploma fits into a tech career, or whether an online software development diploma is right for you.
Have questions about the program, start dates or tuition? Contact Edison College to speak with an admissions advisor.
