Head office, Rana Pratap Bagh, Delhi011 2721 1512+91 97116 99511

Software and web

Software developer (programmer)

Write programs that solve problems: apps, business software, tools and systems, in languages such as C, C++, Java and Python.

This could suit you if

  • You enjoy maths puzzles and logical thinking
  • You like breaking a big problem into small steps
  • You stay patient when something does not work the first time
See the learning pathRelated courses
Students at computers in a classroom while a teacher helps one of them

On this page

5
kinds of workplace
3
stages to 6 months
9
free ebooks

The work

What the work is

A software developer, or programmer, writes the instructions that make computers do useful work: billing software for a shop, a school management system, a mobile app, a game, or the systems behind banks and railways. Most of the job is understanding a problem clearly, designing a solution and testing it, not just typing code.

Programming starts with logic. Once you can think in steps with flowcharts and small programs in C or Python, new languages become much easier to learn.

Where people do this work

  • IT and software companiesBuilding and maintaining software for clients in India and abroad.
  • Banks and large organisationsIn-house IT teams that run their systems.
  • Start-upsSmall teams building new apps and products.
  • Local software firmsBilling, inventory and school software for nearby businesses.
  • FreelancingSmall tools, scripts and apps for clients, once you have experience.

A day at work

What a working day looks like

Every workplace is different, but a typical day goes something like this.

  1. Morning

    Team stand-up: share progress and pick the next task from the list.

  2. Late morning

    Read the requirement, sketch the logic, then write the code and small tests for it.

  3. Afternoon

    Debug a problem: reproduce it, find the cause, fix it, and check that nothing else broke.

  4. End of the day

    Push your code to Git for review, read a colleague’s code, and update your notes.

Skills and tools

What you need to learn

The skills come first; the tools are how you use them. You do not need everything on day one.

Skills

  1. Logic building with flowcharts and algorithms
  2. One language well (C, C++, Java or Python), then others
  3. Object-oriented programming: classes and objects
  4. Data structures: arrays, lists, stacks, queues and trees
  5. SQL and databases
  6. Git, debugging and testing
  7. Reading a problem carefully and explaining your solution

Software

  • A code editor or IDE such as VS Code, Code::Blocks, Eclipse or IntelliJ IDEA Community
  • A C and C++ compiler such as GCC, and the Java JDK
  • Python
  • Git and GitHub
  • MySQL or SQLite

Practice

  • Free coding practice websites with graded problems
  • A notebook for working out logic on paper before you code

Learning path

Your first six months, step by step

A realistic plan if you practise most days, at a course or at home. Go at your own pace: the order matters more than the speed.

  1. Step 1 · First month

    Think in steps

    • Flowcharts and pseudocode for everyday problems
    • Your first language: variables, input and output, if-else and loops
    • 30 small programs: tables, patterns, prime numbers, simple interest
    • Reading error messages calmly
  2. Step 2 · By 3 months

    Write real programs

    • Functions, arrays, strings and files
    • Object-oriented programming in C++, Java or Python
    • Basic data structures, searching and sorting
    • Git from now on, and two practice problems a day
  3. Step 3 · By 6 months

    Build projects

    • SQL: create tables, insert, select and join
    • Two complete projects that save data, such as a library system and a billing program
    • Testing and debugging properly
    • Interview preparation with common problems

Practice plan

Practise and build a portfolio

Employers and customers want to see what you can do. Build these as you learn, and keep them neat: they speak for you in an interview.

  1. 1

    A practice log

    Solve problems regularly and keep your solutions organised by topic on GitHub.

  2. 2

    A console project

    A student marks or library management program in C++ or Java that saves to a file.

  3. 3

    A database project

    A billing or inventory system with SQL: add items, make bills and see reports.

  4. 4

    A tool people use

    Something you or your family actually use, such as an expense tracker or a quiz for a younger sibling.

Getting started

Finding a first job, or starting on your own

Most people start with a junior job or helper role and learn on the job; some build their own small business step by step.

Finding your first job

  1. Keep your GitHub tidy and link it on your resume
  2. Apply for internships and trainee developer posts, where many companies start freshers
  3. If you are in college, take part in campus recruitment and coding competitions
  4. Contribute small fixes to open-source projects to show you can work with real code
  5. Register on the National Career Service portal and well-known job websites

Starting on your own, safely

  • Write small custom programs for local businesses, such as billing or stock tools, once you are confident
  • Agree in writing what the program must do, the price and the support after delivery
  • Respect licences: use open-source libraries as their licence allows, and never sell pirated software

Stay safe

Never pay for a job

Fake job offers target people looking for their first job. A real employer never asks you for money.

Watch out for these in software developer work

  • Training or "job-ready" schemes that promise a guaranteed job if you pay a large fee or sign a bond
  • Fake offer letters that ask you to pay for laptop delivery, background verification or an "onboarding kit"

  • Never pay for a job

    A real employer does not ask for a registration fee, a security deposit, or money for a training kit, ID card or uniform before you join. If someone asks you to pay to get a job, it is a scam.

  • Be wary of easy-money messages

    Offers on WhatsApp or Telegram to earn by liking videos, writing reviews or doing "simple online tasks" are a common fraud. They pay a little at first, then ask you to deposit money for bigger tasks.

  • Check the employer is real

    Look for an office you can visit, an official email address and website, and people who have actually worked there. Search the company name with the word "fraud" before you go.

  • Guard your OTPs and documents

    Never share an OTP, bank PIN or password. Do not send scans of Aadhaar or PAN, or install a screen-sharing app, for anyone you have not checked.

  • Go to interviews safely

    Interviews should be in an office or a public place, in the daytime. Tell a family member where you are going, and leave if anything feels wrong.

  • If you are cheated, act fast

    Call the national cyber crime helpline 1930 straight away, report it at cybercrime.gov.in and tell your bank. The sooner you report, the better the chance of stopping the money.

1930

National cyber crime helplineCheated by a fake job or payment? Call 1930 straight away and report it at cybercrime.gov.in.

Interview tips

How to do well in the interview

  1. 1Expect a written or online coding test, then technical interviews
  2. 2Practise explaining your logic out loud while you solve a problem
  3. 3Revise basics: loops, arrays, strings, OOP concepts and simple SQL queries
  4. 4Know every line of every project on your resume
  5. 5If you are stuck, describe a simple slow solution first, then improve it

Learn at the institute

Related courses at Gurukul Technicals Institute

These courses teach skills on this page. For the duration, fees and batch timings, ask the head office or your nearest member centre.

All Programming & Web Development coursesAsk which course suits you

Free ebooks

Free books to learn from

Free PDF ebooks for this line of work, to read on your phone or print.

All free ebooks

Questions about becoming a software developer

Still have a question?

Chat on WhatsApp
Which programming language should I start with?

Any one, taught well. C builds strong basics and is common in college syllabuses, Python is easier to read, and Java is widely used in companies. The logic carries over, so pick one and practise daily.

I am weak in maths. Can I still be a programmer?

Most everyday programming needs logic more than advanced maths. Some fields, such as games, graphics and data science, use more maths. Practising logic problems improves both.

What is the difference between a software developer and a web developer?

Web developers build websites and web apps. Software developer is a wider term that also covers desktop software, mobile apps, systems and tools. The basic skills overlap a lot.

Do I need a degree?

Many software companies ask freshers for a degree such as BCA, BSc in computer science or BTech. Some smaller firms hire on skills. Read the job notices you are interested in and plan your studies around them.

Keep exploring

Other careers to look at

All careers
WhatsApp us