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.

Coursera logo C cutout
[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] 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

Explore popular software development courses

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, Application Deployment, Programming Principles, Front-End Web Development, Back-End Web Development, Python Programming, Software Versioning

4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.6K reviews

Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Amazon

Skills you'll gain: Software Development Life Cycle, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Java Programming, Java, Program Development, Software Development, Development Environment, Integrated Development Environments, Programming Principles

4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
376 reviews

Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Status: Job Ready

Meta

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

4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
25K reviews

Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

[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 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] An aspiring computer programmer studies TypeScript vs. JavaScript and the applications of each on a computer in a sunny room with other learners.

TypeScript vs. JavaScript: A Guide

JavaScript and TypeScript rank in the top 20 popular programming languages. Discover some of the uses, advantages, disadvantages, commonalities, and differences of each to decide which language is right for you.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Two software developers discuss unit testing in front of a computer screen in an office setting with other colleagues in the background.

Unit Testing: What It Is and How It’s Done

Discover the ins and outs of unit testing, a part of a broader, more extensive software testing regimen that supports software efficacy and reliability.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A young programmer uses the Julia programming language as they work on code at two computers in a colorful, casual office setting.

The Julia Programming Language: Uses, Benefits, and Careers

The Julia programming language helps scientists and engineers run technical programs. Learn more about this free, open-source language and its importance while exploring Julia programming language jobs and other details.

September 27, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Two computer programmers discuss the abstraction layers they must implement within the program they are creating.

What Are Abstraction Layers?

Explore the importance of abstraction layers within computer programming and learn why this skill might be helpful for you as you pursue a career in software programming.

September 23, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A networking professional navigates the data link layer as they work on their computer in an office setting.

What Is a Data Link Layer?

Explore the role the data link layer plays in the OSI model, including its benefits and common functions, and how to start working with OSI systems.

September 4, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A woman at home sits at her desk and uses a laptop and a notebook to research how to become a software engineer without a degree.

How to Become a Software Engineer without a Degree

Learn more about how to become a software engineer without a degree, including what a software engineer does, the skills you will need, and how to develop them.

August 29, 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 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] An aspiring computer programmer studies TypeScript vs. JavaScript and the applications of each on a computer in a sunny room with other learners.

TypeScript vs. JavaScript: A Guide

JavaScript and TypeScript rank in the top 20 popular programming languages. Discover some of the uses, advantages, disadvantages, commonalities, and differences of each to decide which language is right for you.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Two software developers discuss unit testing in front of a computer screen in an office setting with other colleagues in the background.

Unit Testing: What It Is and How It’s Done

Discover the ins and outs of unit testing, a part of a broader, more extensive software testing regimen that supports software efficacy and reliability.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A young programmer uses the Julia programming language as they work on code at two computers in a colorful, casual office setting.

The Julia Programming Language: Uses, Benefits, and Careers

The Julia programming language helps scientists and engineers run technical programs. Learn more about this free, open-source language and its importance while exploring Julia programming language jobs and other details.

September 27, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Two computer programmers discuss the abstraction layers they must implement within the program they are creating.

What Are Abstraction Layers?

Explore the importance of abstraction layers within computer programming and learn why this skill might be helpful for you as you pursue a career in software programming.

September 23, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A networking professional navigates the data link layer as they work on their computer in an office setting.

What Is a Data Link Layer?

Explore the role the data link layer plays in the OSI model, including its benefits and common functions, and how to start working with OSI systems.

September 4, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A woman at home sits at her desk and uses a laptop and a notebook to research how to become a software engineer without a degree.

How to Become a Software Engineer without a Degree

Learn more about how to become a software engineer without a degree, including what a software engineer does, the skills you will need, and how to develop them.

August 29, 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)