Software Development and IT - Complete Guide To Key Concepts from Udemy

Are you an intern in IT, junior IT engineer or have been an engineer for a while but worked in your own silo? Or maybe you're a non-technical professional working in IT like PM or BA that would like to better understand software development projects (and you are looking for IT for non-IT type of course)?

This course is for you.

But wait, what if you don't work in IT yet but would like to get into the industry as either technical or non-technical professional? This course is perfect for you too.

Sometimes the most important problem is WHAT You should learn. If you don't know the key problems and concepts, then how can You learn about them? More importantly, how can You effectively prepare for conversations about topics You have got no idea about? Time for some answers.

Some areas of knowledge in IT are quite complicated - not only for a non-technical person. For me personally some subjects do take A LOT of effort to explore and become productive in. IT is intellectually challenging for everyone including people who might seem to be comfortable with it on the surface. It just takes time and dedication to internalise some things. And that’s ok. As long as we have the right attitude and growth mindset. My objective with this course was to make all of the curriculum topics presented in digestable form, from ground up. Nonetheless, you might still find some sections more challenging than others.

This course is the one-stop-shop for learning about all the different areas of software development. It is packed with key concepts and knowledge. Everything is visualised with animations. No time is wasted for excessive details or talking too broadly. The information you'll find here is useful to understand different kinds of IT projects and what is going on around them. Not least, to understand who is doing what.

Based on student feedback the course has been updated with helpful activities. You will write and execute your first line of Python code. Not only that, detailed explanation of what is happening will give you an insight into how programming language syntax is constructed. On top of that, there are 30+ quiz questions to help you persist learned concepts. Actually, you might even learn something new from the quizzes, as even incorrect answers describe and explain actual, real-world concepts.

Here is a partial list of the topics that are covered in this course:

popular programming languages
difference between software frameworks and libraries and popular examples
basic components of web applications and applicable terminology
types of data and databases
what is cloud and why is it such a big deal
how are applications put on the internet or what is deployment
application testing and types of tests
application environments
most popular technologies for some of those basic application components
what is application architecture and how to design it
how are engineers collaborating on the same codebase and what is GIT
what is containerisation and how modern software development teams leverage it
why is agile practically the only methodology used to develop software
how does scrum come into this
engineering roles responsible for different components of applications
most popular technologies specific engineers work with

I've made this course after delivering such training offline internally in the company I work for to a group of non-technical PMs. Some of whom only recently had joined IT. It was received so wall that other departments started asking for it too.

One of the participants told me: "I learned more about IT during those 3 hours than during my 3 years in IT. This should be available online".

Consider signing up now.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Get an overview over key concepts of modern, professional software engineering and development
Learn what an api is, how websites and other apps are using apis and how an api is built
Find out what is a web app and how it is built, what are its components and how they interact
Learn what are the basic programming concepts like programming language, framework, library, database, cloud and much more
Understand the hottest trend in software development - containers with docker and kubernetes

Understand basic metrics to measure application performance and reliability
Learn how to scale production applications using different app architectural patterns
See how developers collaborate with one another and understand the industry standard for codebase storage
Learn what are some of the popular technologies used by different engineering roles
Develop an intuition about the basics of software development process (sdlc)

Get an overview over key concepts of modern, professional software engineering and development
Learn what an api is, how websites and other apps are using apis and how an api is built
Find out what is a web app and how it is built, what are its components and how they interact
Learn what are the basic programming concepts like programming language, framework, library, database, cloud and much more
Understand the hottest trend in software development - containers with docker and kubernetes
Understand basic metrics to measure application performance and reliability
Learn how to scale production applications using different app architectural patterns
See how developers collaborate with one another and understand the industry standard for codebase storage
Learn what are some of the popular technologies used by different engineering roles
Develop an intuition about the basics of software development process (sdlc)

Syllabus

Course Overview

Course Agenda

Let's connect!

Programming basics

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Builds a foundational knowledge of software engineering and development

Covers basic programming concepts, web application components, databases, cloud computing, and deployment

Provides a comprehensive overview of modern software development practices, including Agile and DevOps

Introduces popular technologies and tools used in software development, including Python, Docker, and Kubernetes

Offers practical exercises and quizzes to reinforce learning

Designed for individuals with little to no technical background

Reviews summary

Foundational software development concepts

According to students, this course serves as an excellent foundational guide to the vast landscape of software development and IT. Learners frequently praise its ability to present complex concepts in a digestible, visual format, making it particularly beneficial for beginners and non-technical professionals entering the industry. The inclusion of practical activities, such as writing Python code and comprehensive quizzes that explain answers, is highlighted as highly effective for concept reinforcement. While it offers a broad overview, some more experienced learners might find the depth to be introductory. The instructor's commitment to updating content based on feedback is also noted.

Covers many topics broadly, acting as an overview rather than in-depth training.

"The course covers an impressive range of topics. It's a great starting point, but don't expect to be an expert in any single area."

"I found it great for general understanding, but for deeper dives into specific technologies like Docker or specific programming languages, I'll need other courses."

"Perfect for understanding the 'what' and 'why' but less so for the 'how-to' in a highly practical sense."

Instructor actively updates the course based on student feedback.

"It's great to see that the instructor actually listens to feedback; the added activities have really made a difference."

"The course has been refined over time, showing a commitment to quality and relevance."

"I appreciate that they've updated some sections. It keeps the information current and valuable."

Highly beneficial for career transition or upskilling in IT.

"As someone looking to move into a tech role, this course provided the perfect conceptual framework to prepare for interviews."

"I'm a project manager, and now I feel much more confident discussing technical aspects with my team after this course."

"This is exactly the type of course I needed to bridge the gap between my current non-technical role and better understanding the software development lifecycle."

Visual animations and detailed quizzes significantly aid understanding.

"The animations really helped visualize concepts like API requests and deployment pipelines. It stuck much better than just text."

"The quizzes are fantastic! Not only do they test knowledge, but the explanations for incorrect answers taught me even more."

"I appreciated the practical Python coding challenges; they solidify the theoretical knowledge."

Excellent for beginners and non-technical roles needing a broad IT overview.

"This course is a lifesaver for someone like me, a non-technical PM, trying to understand what my dev team talks about. It simplifies complex ideas perfectly."

"I'm new to IT and this course gave me the essential concepts I needed without getting bogged down in overwhelming details. Highly recommend for new entrants."

"It truly provides a digestible overview, making it easier to grasp the basics of programming, cloud, and databases."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Software Development and IT - Complete Guide To Key Concepts with these activities:

Refresh your understanding of programming fundamentals

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Strengthen your programming foundation by reviewing basic concepts, ensuring a solid understanding before diving deeper into the course content.

Browse courses on Programming Fundamentals

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Revisit key programming concepts such as variables, data types, and control flow.
Practice writing simple programs to reinforce your understanding.

Review "Clean Architecture"

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Gain a deeper understanding of software architecture principles by reviewing Robert C. Martin's "Clean Architecture", enriching your theoretical knowledge.

View Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software... on Amazon

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Read through the book, focusing on the key principles of Clean Architecture.
Reflect on how these principles can be applied to your own software development projects.

Review deploying web applications

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Examine how web applications are deployed to better grasp the process discussed in this course.

Browse courses on Deployment

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Revisit key terminology and concepts related to web application deployment.
Explore various cloud platforms and their deployment features.
Practice setting up a deployment pipeline for a simple web application.

Six other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all nine activities

Practice writing unit tests in Python

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Enhance your testing skills by practicing writing unit tests in Python, reinforcing the importance of software testing.

Browse courses on Unit Testing

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Learn the basics of unit testing and the Python testing framework.
Write unit tests for simple functions and classes.
Use assertions and other testing methods to verify the correctness of your code.

Build a RESTful API using Flask or Django

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Solidify your understanding of RESTful APIs by building one using Flask or Django, gaining hands-on experience in API development.

Browse courses on RESTful APIs

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Choose a project idea and design the API.
Implement the API using Flask or Django.
Test and deploy the API.

Attend a workshop on Agile development

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Enhance your understanding of Agile development by attending a workshop, gaining practical insights and hands-on experience.

Browse courses on Agile Development

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Find a reputable workshop on Agile development.
Actively participate in the workshop activities and discussions.
Apply the learned concepts to your own software development projects.

Practice writing REST API requests in Python

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Strengthen your understanding of REST APIs by practicing writing requests in Python, enhancing your hands-on experience.

Browse courses on REST API

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Understand the syntax and structure of REST API requests.
Use Python libraries to send GET and POST requests.
Handle JSON responses and parse the data accordingly.

Explore Docker and Kubernetes tutorials

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Deepen your knowledge of Docker and Kubernetes through guided tutorials, gaining practical experience in containerization.

Browse courses on Docker

Show steps

Find reputable tutorials on Docker and Kubernetes.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step, building your own containerized applications.
Experiment with different containerization techniques and configurations.

Mentor junior engineers on software development

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Sharpen your understanding of software development principles by mentoring junior engineers, providing guidance and support.

Browse courses on Mentoring

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Identify opportunities to mentor junior engineers.
Share your knowledge and experience in software development.
Provide constructive feedback and support to help them grow.

Career center

Learners who complete Software Development and IT - Complete Guide To Key Concepts will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Cloud Engineer

A Cloud Engineer is a professional who designs and manages cloud computing systems. This course can be particularly useful for this role, as it provides an overview of cloud computing concepts, including cloud storage, deployment, and scaling. The course also covers the basics of software development and architecture, which is essential knowledge for any Cloud Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer

Web Developer

A Web Developer is a professional who designs and develops websites and web applications. This course can be particularly useful for this role, as it covers the basics of web application development, including the components of a web application, request and response handling, and REST APIs. The course also provides an overview of cloud hosting and deployment, which is essential knowledge for any Web Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Computer Science Researcher

A Computer Science Researcher is a professional who conducts research in the field of computer science. This course can be particularly useful for this role, as it provides an overview of key concepts in software engineering, such as programming fundamentals, software architecture, and testing. The course also covers Agile development and cloud computing, which is essential knowledge for any Computer Science Researcher.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Science Researcher

Software Architect

A Software Architect is a professional who designs and builds the architecture of software applications. This course can help build a foundation for this role by providing an overview of key concepts in software engineering, such as programming fundamentals, application architecture, and testing. The course also covers Agile development and deployment, which is essential knowledge for any Software Architect.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer is a professional who designs, develops, and maintains software applications. This course can help build a foundation for this role by providing an overview of key concepts in software engineering, such as programming fundamentals, application architecture, and testing. The course also covers the Agile development methodology, which is widely used in the software industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer is a professional who combines software development and operations roles to improve the efficiency and reliability of software delivery. This course can help build a foundation for this role by providing an overview of key concepts in software development, such as programming fundamentals, application architecture, and testing. The course also covers Agile development and deployment, which is essential knowledge for any DevOps Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Technical Writer

A Technical Writer is a professional who writes documentation for software and other technical products. This course can help build a foundation for this role by providing an overview of key concepts in software development, such as programming fundamentals and software architecture. The course also covers Agile development and deployment, which is essential knowledge for any Technical Writer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

IT Project Manager

An IT Project Manager is a professional who plans, executes, and monitors IT projects. This course can be particularly useful for this role, as it provides an overview of key concepts in software development, such as programming fundamentals, software architecture, and testing. The course also covers Agile development and deployment, which is essential knowledge for any IT Project Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Project Manager

Product Manager

A Product Manager is a professional who manages the development and launch of software products. This course can be particularly useful for this role, as it provides an overview of key concepts in software development, such as programming fundamentals, software architecture, and testing. The course also covers Agile development and deployment, which is essential knowledge for any Product Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Quality Assurance Analyst

A Quality Assurance Analyst is a professional who tests and evaluates software applications to ensure they meet quality standards. This course can help build a foundation for this role by providing an overview of software testing concepts and practices. The course also covers the basics of programming and software architecture, which is essential knowledge for any Quality Assurance Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst is a professional who analyzes business requirements and translates them into technical specifications for software development. This course can be useful for this role, as it provides an overview of key concepts in software development, such as programming fundamentals, software architecture, and testing. The course also covers Agile development and deployment, which is essential knowledge for any Business Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Information Security Analyst

An Information Security Analyst is a professional who protects computer systems and networks from cyber threats. This course can be useful for this role, as it provides an overview of cloud security concepts. The course also covers the basics of software development and deployment, which is essential knowledge for any Information Security Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Mobile Developer

A Mobile Developer is a professional who designs and develops mobile applications for smartphones and tablets. This course may be helpful for this role, as it provides an overview of the basics of software development, including programming fundamentals and software architecture. The course also covers cloud storage and deployment, which is relevant to mobile app development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile Developer

Data Engineer

A Data Engineer is a professional who designs and builds data pipelines and systems. This course may be useful for this role, as it provides an overview of data storage and processing concepts. The course also covers cloud storage and deployment, which is essential knowledge for any Data Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

IT Consultant

An IT Consultant is a professional who provides consulting services to businesses on IT-related matters. This course can be useful for this role, as it provides an overview of key concepts in software development, such as programming fundamentals, software architecture, and testing. The course also covers Agile development and cloud computing, which is essential knowledge for any IT Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Consultant