Software Development

Explore articles about software engineering, DevOps, and software testing. Learn about careers as a software engineer, mainframe developer, or QA tester, key technical skills and certifications, and how to prepare for these roles.

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[Featured Image] After debating a computer science vs software engineering career path, a smiling person works at a laptop in a bright and airy open concept office.

Computer Science vs. Software Engineering: Explore Their Differences

While related, computer science and software engineering professionals have distinct job responsibilities. Explore computer science vs software engineering, including salary, skills, and job outlook for each field, so you can decide which is right for you.

October 21, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A person working on a computer is learning the different functional programming languages.

Top 4 Functional Programming Languages in 2026

Functional programming emerged approximately seventy years ago and is now seen by many as the future of the field. Learn more about functional programming languages, including the top languages to learn and how you can learn them.

October 21, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A networker is at a server holding a laptop working on their presentation layer found within the OSI model.

Understanding the Presentation Layer: A Beginner’s Guide

Discover how the presentation layer functions as the sixth layer in the OSI model and how experience in this area might benefit a networking career.

October 21, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] After debating a computer science vs software engineering career path, a smiling person works at a laptop in a bright and airy open concept office.

Computer Science vs. Software Engineering: Explore Their Differences

While related, computer science and software engineering professionals have distinct job responsibilities. Explore computer science vs software engineering, including salary, skills, and job outlook for each field, so you can decide which is right for you.

October 21, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A person working on a computer is learning the different functional programming languages.

Top 4 Functional Programming Languages in 2026

Functional programming emerged approximately seventy years ago and is now seen by many as the future of the field. Learn more about functional programming languages, including the top languages to learn and how you can learn them.

October 21, 2024

Article

Explore popular software development courses

IBM

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

4.7 stars, 4.9K reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free trial

IBM

Skills you'll gain: Cloud Deployment, Unit Testing, Software Development Life Cycle, CI/CD, Object-Relational Mapping, OpenShift, Istio, Kubernetes, Cloud-Native Computing, Node.JS, Cloud Infrastructure, Git (Version Control System), HTML and CSS, Server Side, Javascript, Front-End Web Development, Cloud Computing, Data Ethics, Python Programming, Software Development

4.6 stars, 61K reviews, Beginner, Professional Certificate, 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free trial
Category: Build toward a degree

Meta

Skills you'll gain: Django (Web Framework), Jest (JavaScript Testing Framework), Restful API, Version Control, GitHub, Git (Version Control System), Responsive Web Design, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), HTML and CSS, Unix Commands, Back-End Web Development, React.js, API Testing, Relational Databases, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Database Management Systems, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Command-Line Interface, Mobile Development, Python Programming

4.7 stars, 26K reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 3 - 6 Months
Status: Trending right now
Status: Free trial
[Featured Image] A businessperson who has learned how to become a DevOps engineer sits at their desk and works on a laptop, helping their software development team plan project requirements and infrastructure.

How to Become a DevOps Engineer

In this role, you’ll help plan project requirements and infrastructure on a software development team. Learn which skills and education you’ll need to become a DevOps engineer, plus the salary you can expect.

October 17, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A person wears a headset and looks at a computer monitor, thinking while they deal with their team's technical debt.

What Is Technical Debt: A Guide

If you’ve ever borrowed money, you know about debt. But what about the term “technical debt,” which is familiar to the software community? Learn more about the concept and its costs in development.

October 14, 2024

Article

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

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 their 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 2026

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 their desk and uses software as a service to have a video conference with colleagues on one computer screen while consulting data on their 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] A networker is at a server holding a laptop working on their presentation layer found within the OSI model.

Understanding the Presentation Layer: A Beginner’s Guide

Discover how the presentation layer functions as the sixth layer in the OSI model and how experience in this area might benefit a networking career.

October 21, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A businessperson who has learned how to become a DevOps engineer sits at their desk and works on a laptop, helping their software development team plan project requirements and infrastructure.

How to Become a DevOps Engineer

In this role, you’ll help plan project requirements and infrastructure on a software development team. Learn which skills and education you’ll need to become a DevOps engineer, plus the salary you can expect.

October 17, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A person wears a headset and looks at a computer monitor, thinking while they deal with their team's technical debt.

What Is Technical Debt: A Guide

If you’ve ever borrowed money, you know about debt. But what about the term “technical debt,” which is familiar to the software community? Learn more about the concept and its costs in development.

October 14, 2024

Article

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

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 their 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 2026

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 their desk and uses software as a service to have a video conference with colleagues on one computer screen while consulting data on their 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

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.

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