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CS grad to software developer

E

eon

2[H]4U
Joined
Oct 11, 2003
Messages
2,218
I'm about a year and half into working as a software dev after getting my BS in CS. So far I've learned alot about different technologies but I'm not getting much actual development/engineering skills. The times I do get to develop stuff, I just dont feel I'm learning enough on translating my ability to hack up an app quickly to being able to properly develop it with "maintainable" code. The most I'm getting is from looking at the source code of a senior developer and asking questions as why he did something a way he did, but that only goes so far.
Also this is an IT department where I'm working with various things, so I'm getting exposure to lots of stuff which definitely isnt a bad thing but at the same time I'm not given much opportunity to get very good in one area (besides Sql Server Reporting Services, which I dont think gives much career value)
So basically I'm looking for some software development books and hopefully some online material that can help enhance my skills. Also I'm looking into tips as to career specialization. I'm pretty confident I want my career to stay in development but I'm still on the fence on what technology I should focus on such as java web development vs .net applications. Honestly job security and salary outlook are the major factors that may sway my decision.
Thanks
 
Practicing through projects is very important. There is an art to software development that is developed through practice. It might not seem like you are learning very much but you do learn. It is a slow process and that is why it seems as though you are not learning much. Do not get to distracted learning all the technologies, the ability to pick them up quickly is a far greater skill. Books will never replace the hours of practice it takes to become an efficient competent software engineer.

Just wanted to emphasize that point. Technologies will always change and you will be constantly learning new ones. Its sounds like your getting exposure to lots at this point so that should help you narrow down ones you like and ones that are marketable through cross referencing.

Specializing will narrow your options. However being particularly skilled at something has some merit. This high level of skill usually comes from working somewhere for a long time using the same technologies, i.e. lots of practical experience.

Good luck, have fun!
 
Reporting Services.. users live and die on their reports.. so yes.. that's important to know.. and usually the first line of offense use by them against us... (and yes some days it is an "us vs them" environment).
 
go learn ruby on rails.. pragmatic programmer books and a couple of the o'reilly books are great.

agile web development with rails is another good title.
 
I would suggest getting the following books: Code Complete and Design Patterns. They are a must know in your line of work and are far more important than learning another language.
 
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Programming Pearls by Ross Bentley. The Practice of Programming by Brian Kernighan.

It's interesting that you're focused mainly on salary rather than any particular interest in technology. If money is what motivates you, then you should be doing work on your own to try and find a project that will be successful. It's really not hard to write code; what's hard is to know what code to write. Most of the wildly successful ideas around today aren't based on any incredible technology -- they're based around solving a gaping need.

Similar analysis should be applied to your choice of field. You're not going to get rich being a Java or .NET programmer because those markets are completely saturated.
 
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salary is not everything, if it was I would have never jumped off the "become a doctor" train
its just that right now I have no significant interest in one technology over another in software development. As long as I'm doing development at a good job I'll be happy, what language and technology doesnt wont matter much, so I might as well try look into something that will pay more and/or be more likely to find a stable job
 
What is your current development process? You do any unit testing? Continuous integration? Maybe your job isn't a good place to work. My group practices XP so when I joined the paired programming was great for learning a lot very quickly.
 
OP, one thing I learn from personal experience is that working in a big corporate environment will not allow you to learn different things. You will eventually become specialize in a particular role. I learn this the hard way and I have join mostly large company during my "after-college" career. It's only in my current job that I work in a very small company do I feel i have learn much more in depth topics in software development. I know it's frustrating when recruiter/headhunter are looking for a particularly latest technology, but like a lot of previous poster says... don't get too hung up on the latest fads.
 
modi123 said:
Reporting Services.. users live and die on their reports.. so yes.. that's important to know.. and usually the first line of offense use by them against us... (and yes some days it is an "us vs them" environment).
Click to expand...

This... you will never guess how far someone can go with just SQL and reporting skills.
Don't worry about specializing, try to be the guy who can do everything in the project's SDLC.
 
eon said:
salary is not everything, if it was I would have never jumped off the "become a doctor" train
its just that right now I have no significant interest in one technology over another in software development. As long as I'm doing development at a good job I'll be happy, what language and technology doesnt wont matter much, so I might as well try look into something that will pay more and/or be more likely to find a stable job
Click to expand...

Anyone can code a module, but it takes an engineer to piece together a solution.
Focus on SDLC methodologies and client-server solutions, next step is management (manage an IT development group).
 
Stupendous said:
What is your current development process? You do any unit testing? Continuous integration? Maybe your job isn't a good place to work. My group practices XP so when I joined the paired programming was great for learning a lot very quickly.
Click to expand...

its pretty informal, when working together its mostly extreme programming some web app where we plan out the domain objects and run from there
the few times I'm given a project to do alone, there's not really anyone looking under the hood
 
BillNutz said:
This... you will never guess how far someone can go with just SQL and reporting skills.
Don't worry about specializing, try to be the guy who can do everything in the project's SDLC.
Click to expand...
Well, there are two sides to that coin.

It's hard to be a good developer without being a generalist of sorts, but to make yourself even more valuable to your team you should try to find a niche. From my observation, becoming a "go-to" guy for any piece of technology or specific component of your team's project is a good way to secure your position as you try to move up the ladder.
 
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