Software Development

Learn more about the skills and certifications you need for a career as software or DevOps engineer, mainframe developer, QA tester, and more.

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[Featured Image] A programmer using go programming language works at his desk, with multiple computers filled with code in front of him.

What Is Go Programming Language and What Is It Used For?

The Google programming language, commonly known as Go, is popular among developers. Explore the Go programming language’s unique strengths and its pros and cons before discovering a few tips on how to become proficient in coding with it.

October 14, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A software engineer sits at a desk and uses the rubber duck debugging method to help her company's software

How to Solve Coding Problems with Rubber Duck Debugging

Make finding the errors in your code a little more fun with rubber duck debugging. Learn more about the rubber duck debugging approach, how it started, why programmers use it, and how to follow it.

October 11, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] After earning game development degrees, two game designers work on a video game featuring virtual reality.

Game Development Degrees and Alternatives in 2025

Explore the options you will have with a game development degree, such as video game development and design, by reviewing the educational requirements to start a career in the field.

October 7, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A programmer using go programming language works at his desk, with multiple computers filled with code in front of him.

What Is Go Programming Language and What Is It Used For?

The Google programming language, commonly known as Go, is popular among developers. Explore the Go programming language’s unique strengths and its pros and cons before discovering a few tips on how to become proficient in coding with it.

October 14, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A software engineer sits at a desk and uses the rubber duck debugging method to help her company's software

How to Solve Coding Problems with Rubber Duck Debugging

Make finding the errors in your code a little more fun with rubber duck debugging. Learn more about the rubber duck debugging approach, how it started, why programmers use it, and how to follow it.

October 11, 2024

Article

Explore popular software development courses

Status: Free Trial

IBM

Skills you'll gain: Software Development Life Cycle, Software Architecture, Software Design, Software Development Methodologies, Software Design Patterns, Development Environment, Unified Modeling Language, Software Engineering, Web Applications, Software Development Tools, Software Development, Application Deployment, Programming Principles, Front-End Web Development, Back-End Web Development, Python Programming

4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.2K reviews

Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills

IBM

Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Software Development Life Cycle, Cloud-Native Computing, Istio, Software Architecture, Kubernetes, CI/CD, Cloud Computing Architecture, Application Deployment, React Redux, Node.JS, Responsive Web Design, Restful API, Django (Web Framework), Git (Version Control System), Server Side, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Cloud Computing, Data Import/Export, Engineering Software

Build toward a degree

4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
58K reviews

Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Status: Free Trial

University of Minnesota

Skills you'll gain: User Story, Agile Software Development, Software Design Patterns, Design Thinking, Software Development Methodologies, Software Design, Agile Methodology, Agile Project Management, Process Mapping, Software Engineering, Kanban Principles, Software Development Life Cycle, Software Quality Assurance, Application Security, Scrum (Software Development), Object Oriented Design, Software Architecture, User Experience Design, Software Quality (SQA/SQC), Requirements Analysis

4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
9.8K reviews

Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

[Featured Image] A professional sits at her desk and uses software as a service to have a video conference with colleagues on one computer screen while consulting data on her second computer screen.

What Is Software as a Service? Definition and Examples

Software as a service refers to accessing cloud-based software through the internet, such as Netflix, Zoom, and Google Docs, instead of via a local download. Keep reading to discover the benefits of SaaS to both users and software vendors.

October 4, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A smiling automation engineer sits at their desktop computer and looks at a colleague off-camera.

Automation Engineer Career Guide

Automation engineers help streamline processes to make the workplace more efficient. Explore more about an automation engineer career and what you’ll need to start one.

October 4, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Young software programmers discuss the merits of GitLab vs. GitHub while looking at a computer screen in a workspace with plenty of windows.

GitLab vs. GitHub: Which to Choose?

While GitLab and GitHub offer similar capabilities for your development project, the two programs have unique features and use cases. Discover which version control program is right for your project below.

October 2, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Two software programmers engage in test-driven development as they sit in front of computer screens.

What Is Test-Driven Development?

Learn what test-driven development is, what the development cycle looks like, and how you can start learning this exciting skill.

October 2, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Four members of a DevOps team discuss their CI/CD pipeline and how to refine the team’s overall strategy.

What Is CI/CD?

CI/CD stands for continuous integration and continuous delivery or deployment. Discover why CI/CD is important for DevOps teams and how to start a career in this growing field.

October 1, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] After learning what is javascript used for, a young woman programmer sits at her desk in casual clothing, working on code on a computer in an office.

What Is JavaScript Used For?

JavaScript is a versatile tool that adds interactivity to web pages and creates animations, among other uses. Explore JavaScript in more detail, including how the programming language works and what you can do with it below.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Before working in video game development, two designers standing over their desks discussing character creation need to know what unity is.

What Is Unity?

Unity is a popular development platform for creating video games, animations, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) content. Discover how to use Unity to create video games and other content for gaming platforms and the internet.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] After learning about Unreal Engine, three video game designers used the game engine to build VR gaming software, which they are now testing in their offices.

What Is Unreal Engine?

Unreal Engine is a popular game engine used by game designers. Discover what Unreal Engine is and how to learn it, popular use cases, its pros and cons as a design program, and similar design programs that serve as alternatives.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] In an empty office, a woman programmer in a gray jacket sits at a desktop computer with two screens and works on code using Objective-C.

What Is the Objective-C Language?

If you’re interested in app design and development, one of the key languages you might choose to work in is Objective-C. Learn more about Objective-C, its benefits as a programming language, and some jobs requiring this expertise.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] After earning game development degrees, two game designers work on a video game featuring virtual reality.

Game Development Degrees and Alternatives in 2025

Explore the options you will have with a game development degree, such as video game development and design, by reviewing the educational requirements to start a career in the field.

October 7, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A professional sits at her desk and uses software as a service to have a video conference with colleagues on one computer screen while consulting data on her second computer screen.

What Is Software as a Service? Definition and Examples

Software as a service refers to accessing cloud-based software through the internet, such as Netflix, Zoom, and Google Docs, instead of via a local download. Keep reading to discover the benefits of SaaS to both users and software vendors.

October 4, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A smiling automation engineer sits at their desktop computer and looks at a colleague off-camera.

Automation Engineer Career Guide

Automation engineers help streamline processes to make the workplace more efficient. Explore more about an automation engineer career and what you’ll need to start one.

October 4, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Young software programmers discuss the merits of GitLab vs. GitHub while looking at a computer screen in a workspace with plenty of windows.

GitLab vs. GitHub: Which to Choose?

While GitLab and GitHub offer similar capabilities for your development project, the two programs have unique features and use cases. Discover which version control program is right for your project below.

October 2, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Two software programmers engage in test-driven development as they sit in front of computer screens.

What Is Test-Driven Development?

Learn what test-driven development is, what the development cycle looks like, and how you can start learning this exciting skill.

October 2, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Four members of a DevOps team discuss their CI/CD pipeline and how to refine the team’s overall strategy.

What Is CI/CD?

CI/CD stands for continuous integration and continuous delivery or deployment. Discover why CI/CD is important for DevOps teams and how to start a career in this growing field.

October 1, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] After learning what is javascript used for, a young woman programmer sits at her desk in casual clothing, working on code on a computer in an office.

What Is JavaScript Used For?

JavaScript is a versatile tool that adds interactivity to web pages and creates animations, among other uses. Explore JavaScript in more detail, including how the programming language works and what you can do with it below.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Before working in video game development, two designers standing over their desks discussing character creation need to know what unity is.

What Is Unity?

Unity is a popular development platform for creating video games, animations, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) content. Discover how to use Unity to create video games and other content for gaming platforms and the internet.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] After learning about Unreal Engine, three video game designers used the game engine to build VR gaming software, which they are now testing in their offices.

What Is Unreal Engine?

Unreal Engine is a popular game engine used by game designers. Discover what Unreal Engine is and how to learn it, popular use cases, its pros and cons as a design program, and similar design programs that serve as alternatives.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] In an empty office, a woman programmer in a gray jacket sits at a desktop computer with two screens and works on code using Objective-C.

What Is the Objective-C Language?

If you’re interested in app design and development, one of the key languages you might choose to work in is Objective-C. Learn more about Objective-C, its benefits as a programming language, and some jobs requiring this expertise.

September 30, 2024

Article

Software development covers a wide variety of skills and careers, from programming to quality assurance to DevOps. With so many options and opportunities available, it can be tricky to know where to start. On Coursera, you'll find expert resources to support your goals, whether you're just starting out or are ready to take the next step in your career. Explore software development topics, including:

Ready to start learning? Explore our catalog of software development, DevOps, and IT courses for beginners and experienced professionals.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)