Best Programming Skills for the Future

Programming roles include a wide variety of positions, from software engineers and coders to IT workers and data analysts. According to market analytics company Burning Glass, the latest statistics from 2015 show programming jobs overall were growing 12% faster than average. It is reasonable to assume that the figure has now gone up. So, programming-skills of all kinds are needed now and for the coming years. If you are pursuing a programming career, it is essential you learn the programming skills that will be most in-demand in the future.

SQL Skills

Structured Query Language, commonly known as SQL, is a domain-specific language used in programming. It is designed to manage data held in a relational database management system or for stream processing in an RDMS. There are two main benefits of SQL compared to older read-write APIs like VSAM and ISAM. Firstly, SQL can access many records with just one single command. Secondly, SQL eliminates the need to specify how to obtain each record.

SQL skills are already in high demand, and they will continue to be so in the future. On a practical level, that is because businesses of all sizes and types need to be continually monitoring SQL servers to collect and analyze usage, performance, and event metrics.

Artificial Intelligence Skills

Do not underestimate how big Artificial Intelligence is becoming in the tech world. The number of jobs requiring AI skills has multiplied by 4.5 since 2013, and they look set to increase. All sorts of businesses are now implementing AI data analysis and user experience. AI is rapidly altering the work landscape, so it is an exciting time for programmers who want to get into the new big thing. Indeed, the hiring rate for AI specialists has grown 74% over the last four years.

Programmers can learn the latest AI skills by completing an Artificial Intelligence course. There are a wide variety of courses available, such as:

1. Artificial Intelligence: Reinforcement Learning in Python
2. Artificial Intelligence A - Z: Learn How to Build an AI
3. The Beginner’s Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Unity

AI crosses over with machine learning. The key difference between the two is AI is a broader concept that pertains to machines designed to act intelligently, while machine learning has more to do with devices making sense of specific data.

Machine Learning Skills

Looking to the future, machine learning is one of the most exciting and innovative areas that programmers can get involved with. From Alexa and self-driving cars to predictive analysis and chatbots, machine learning is being used in more and more industries.

At present, there is a high demand for programmers in the machine learning sector and not enough specialists to fill the roles. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, 49% of businesses are presently using or planning to use machine learning. It can also be applied to every industry, from education and health care to translation and finance. So, machine learning is one of the most valuable skills you could learn right now. Get in quick, because machine learning skills are the future.

Coding Skills

Of course, programmers need to have skills in coding. But experts are predicting that coding will be the number one essential skill for all job seekers in the near future. The skill is no longer only in the hands of programmers at software and internet firms. Now, all sorts of industries, from retailers to hospitals, are using capable coders.

According to the latest statistics, there were seven million jobs that required coding skills. So, imagine how many there must currently be. Programming languages in high demand include JavaScript, HTML, Python, C++, and AutoCAD engineering programs.

Development Tools Skills

Software developers design everyday computer-programs and operating-systems, from word processors to websites. As a software developer, you would use development tools to write and test code. At present, popular development tools include integrated development environment tools like Eclipse, source control management tools like SVN, and issue management systems like Jira.

There has probably never been a better time to get into software development. As everyday life becomes more and more dependent on computer software, there will be a growing need for software developers.

Software Engineering Skills

As with software developers, there is a growing need for software engineers. By learning the latest software engineering skills now, you can stay ahead of the competition in the future, as the demand for software engineers rises. In this role, you would apply engineering principles for creating software and have extensive knowledge of software development, programming languages, and computer operating systems. By using the right engineering principles to every stage of the development process, you will create customized systems for clients.

There are two types of software engineers. These are:

1. Systems Engineers, who coordinate the creation, maintenance, and growth of a client’s computer systems.
2. Applications Engineers, who create or adapt applications for clients by analyzing end users’ needs.

Debugging Skills

Debugging skills have always been and will always be needed in computer programming. The multistep process consists of identifying a problem, isolating the problem’s source, and either correcting the problem or finding a way to work around it.

In software development, debugging is a crucial element of the testing process and the whole development lifecycle. In hardware development, the debugging process typically involves looking for hardware components that have not been installed or configured correctly. No matter how much the face of technology changes in the future, debugging skills will always be required.