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Software Development Explained

A fast-paced, practical introduction to software development—explaining core concepts, programming languages and the entire software development lifecycle.

Get clear on the most important ideas in software development and the entire “software development lifecycle” or SDLC. You’ll learn about different kinds of development, including mobile, web-based and desktop. You’ll explore common applications and tools, and see why there are so many different programming languages. And, you'll see how programming is done in the “real world”, exploring the benefits of programming libraries, testing frameworks, source control, SDKs and APIs.

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Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) Programming Languages Web Development Mobile Development Desktop Development Programming Libraries Testing Frameworks

What's inside

Syllabus

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Guides learners through core ideas in software development and the 'software development lifecycle'

Builds a foundation for beginners or strengthens an existing one for intermediate learners

Relevant for a variety of learners, including those new to software development.

Deepens learners understanding of different programming languages

Develops a 'real world' view of programming by exploring an array of commonly used tools and practices

Taught by seasoned industry experts who bring an impressive repertoire of knowledge and skill to the forefront

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Reviews summary

Software development explained: a solid introduction

According to learners, Software Development Explained is a highly-rated introductory course, particularly valuable for those new to the field or in non-technical roles. Students praise its clear and digestible explanations of complex topics and its comprehensive overview of the entire software development lifecycle (SDLC). The course effectively bridges theory with 'real-world' practices, offering practical examples and a solid roadmap for further learning. While its fast-paced lectures are appreciated for efficiency, some more experienced learners may find the depth insufficient. Additionally, a few reviews suggest that specific tools and examples may need updating to maintain full relevance. Overall, it serves as an excellent foundational course, though less focused on hands-on coding.

Perfectly suited for those new to software development.

"As someone completely new to tech, the explanations were incredibly clear and easy to follow. I finally understand what my developer colleagues are talking about!"

"Even as a non-technical professional, I now have a solid understanding... This course bridged a huge knowledge gap for me, making team discussions much easier."

"Instructor's explanations were very articulate, and the pace felt just right for a beginner."

Connects theoretical concepts to industry practices effectively.

"I appreciated the practical examples and how the instructor broke down complex concepts. It's a great starting point."

"The 'real world' aspects were particularly insightful, explaining how programming is done in practice."

"Even as a non-technical professional, I now have a solid understanding of the 'real-world' software development process."

Provides a comprehensive and clear introduction for beginners.

"This course provided a fantastic overview of the entire software development lifecycle. As someone completely new to tech, the explanations were incredibly clear and easy to follow."

"It's a great starting point for anyone curious about a career in software. You'll get a very good lay of the land."

"The introduction to various programming languages and tools was exactly what I needed to choose my next steps and clarified many terms."

Some specific examples or tools may no longer be current.

"Some sections felt a bit outdated, especially the discussion around certain older tools and specific platforms."

"While the core SDLC concepts are timeless, the examples could use an update to reflect current industry standards."

"This makes some parts less relevant, as I found some examples felt out of sync with today's rapidly changing tech."

Fast pace may require extra effort; less focused on hands-on coding.

"Good course for a high-level overview, but don't expect to be coding after this. It's more about understanding the landscape."

"Lectures were informative, but I definitely needed more hands-on exercises to solidify my understanding. The pace was quite fast too."

"I found the course overly theoretical at times, without enough hands-on exercises to solidify understanding. I prefer learning by doing."

"The course is fast-paced, which is great for quick learning, but it also means some topics are covered very briefly."

Insufficient for experienced developers seeking advanced topics.

"Too basic for anyone with prior coding experience. I was hoping for more depth, especially on testing frameworks and design patterns."

"Felt like it glossed over important details I already knew. Perhaps it's just not for intermediate learners who need deeper dives."

"Don't expect to be an expert or ready for advanced coding; it's more about understanding the landscape than hands-on mastery."

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 Explained with these activities:

Refresher on Object-oriented Programming and Design Patterns

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Review the fundamentals of object-oriented programming and design patterns to prepare for the complex concepts introduced in the Software Development course.

Browse courses on Object-Oriented Programming

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Read a book on Object-oriented Programming
Review online tutorials on Design Patterns
Practice creating classes, objects, and implementing design patterns in a programming language

Follow Tutorials on Version Control with Git

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Complete tutorials on version control systems like Git to prepare for collaborative coding projects.

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Choose an online tutorial on Git basics
Follow the tutorial, installing necessary software and creating a Git repository
Practice staging, committing, and tracking changes in code

Join a Study Group

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Participate in regular study sessions with fellow learners to discuss concepts, share resources, and collaborate on projects.

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Find or create a study group with other students in the course
Establish a meeting schedule and online platform
Actively participate in discussions and knowledge sharing

Four other activities

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Coding Challenges on LeetCode

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Solve coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode to practice applying programming concepts and algorithms discussed in the course.

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Sign up for an account on LeetCode
Start solving easy problems in a programming language used in the course
Progress to more difficult problems and practice regularly

Attend a Software Development Workshop

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Participate in workshops led by industry experts to gain practical insights, learn new techniques, and network with professionals.

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Research and identify relevant software development workshops
Register for a workshop that aligns with interests and learning goals
Attend the workshop, take notes, and actively engage with the content

Build a Small Web Application

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Develop a web application using technologies introduced in the course to demonstrate practical skills and deepen understanding of software development concepts.

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Design the user interface and functionality of the web application
Choose appropriate front-end and back-end technologies
Implement the web application, including database integration
Deploy the web application to a hosting platform

Become a Mentor to Junior Learners

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Share knowledge by mentoring junior learners and guiding them through the software development journey, reinforcing concepts and fostering community.

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Identify opportunities to mentor junior learners, such as through online forums or university programs
Provide guidance and support on programming concepts and industry practices
Encourage questions and facilitate a positive learning environment

Career center

Learners who complete Software Development Explained will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Developer

Software Developers use their programming knowledge to design, develop, and maintain software. This course will help you build a foundation in software development, making you a more competitive candidate for these roles. You'll learn about different programming languages and the entire software development lifecycle.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Web Developer

Web Developers use their programming knowledge to design and develop websites and web applications. This course will help you build a foundation in software development, making you a more competitive candidate for these roles. You'll learn about different programming languages, frameworks, and tools used in web development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Mobile Developer

Mobile Developers use their programming knowledge to design and develop mobile applications. This course will help you build a foundation in software development, making you a more competitive candidate for these roles. You'll learn about different programming languages, frameworks, and tools used in mobile development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile Developer

Full-Stack Developer

Full Stack Developers use their programming knowledge to design and develop both the front-end and back-end of websites and web applications. This course will help you build a foundation in software development, making you a more competitive candidate for these roles. You'll learn about different programming languages, frameworks, and tools used in full stack development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Full-Stack Developer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers use their programming knowledge to design, develop, and maintain software systems. This course will help you build a foundation in software development, making you a more competitive candidate for these roles. You'll learn about different programming languages and the entire software development lifecycle.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers use their programming knowledge to write and maintain computer programs. This course will help you build a foundation in software development, making you a more competitive candidate for these roles. You'll learn about different programming languages and the entire software development lifecycle.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts use their programming knowledge to analyze and design computer systems. This course may help you build a foundation in software development, making you a more competitive candidate for these roles. You'll learn about different programming languages and the entire software development lifecycle.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Database Administrator

Database Administrators use their programming knowledge to manage and maintain databases. This course may help you build a foundation in software development, making you a more competitive candidate for these roles. You'll learn about different programming languages and the entire software development lifecycle.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

IT Manager

IT Managers use their programming knowledge to manage and oversee the IT department of an organization. This course may help you build a foundation in software development, making you a more competitive candidate for these roles. You'll learn about different programming languages and the entire software development lifecycle.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager

Technical Writer

Technical Writers use their programming knowledge to write and edit technical documentation. This course may help you build a foundation in software development, making you a more competitive candidate for these roles. You'll learn about different programming languages and the entire software development lifecycle.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts use their programming knowledge to test and evaluate software systems. This course may help you build a foundation in software development, making you a more competitive candidate for these roles. You'll learn about different programming languages and the entire software development lifecycle.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use their programming knowledge to analyze and interpret data. This course may help you build a foundation in software development, making you a more competitive candidate for these roles. You'll learn about different programming languages and the entire software development lifecycle.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers use their programming knowledge to design and develop machine learning models. This course may help you build a foundation in software development, making you a more competitive candidate for these roles. You'll learn about different programming languages and the entire software development lifecycle.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Artificial Intelligence Engineer

Artificial Intelligence Engineers use their programming knowledge to design and develop artificial intelligence systems. This course may help you build a foundation in software development, making you a more competitive candidate for these roles. You'll learn about different programming languages and the entire software development lifecycle.

See salaries and explore the career path for Artificial Intelligence Engineer

Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineers use their programming knowledge to design and develop robots. This course may help you build a foundation in software development, making you a more competitive candidate for these roles. You'll learn about different programming languages and the entire software development lifecycle.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer

Reading list

We've selected 15 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Software Development Explained.

Assembly X64 in Easy Steps

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Provides a comprehensive overview of software development and the software development lifecycle (SDLC). Easy to understand and follow, even for beginners.

Software Development Explained

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Software development explained: a solid introduction

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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