Blog - SoftUni Global https://softuni.org/category/blog/ Learn Programming and Start a Developer Job Sun, 08 Jan 2023 22:34:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://softuni.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-SoftUni-Global-Logo-Square-notext-32x32.png Blog - SoftUni Global https://softuni.org/category/blog/ 32 32 SoftUni Global’s First 5-star B2B Review https://softuni.org/blog/softuni-globals-first-5-star-b2b-review/ https://softuni.org/blog/softuni-globals-first-5-star-b2b-review/#respond Wed, 13 Jul 2022 14:03:00 +0000 https://softuni.org/?p=22345 Our long history of successfully providing companies with talent acquisition assistance, business consulting, and IT corporate training is recognized globally.

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As the international branch of SoftUni – the biggest non-formal tech education provider in South-Eastern Europe, our B2B efforts go towards helping businesses grow through strategic partnerships, talent acquisition and development, and providing comprehensive teaching content and software to educators around the world.

After 9+ years of experience as a regional industry leader, we have developed a tried-and-true scalable business model. To help other companies benefit from it, in 2021 we created the SoftUni Franchise Partnership Program where we provide business advice, industry know-how, and unparalleled support in establishing, managing, and advertising a successful programming academy. Our franchisees in Europe and Asia have already seen impressive results utilizing the educational methodology, teaching materials, and innovative software we license.

Our Efforts are Paying Off

A new validation of our success comes now from Clutch – a ratings and reviews platform that connects companies around the world with the right service providers for their operational goals. We decided to create our vendor profile on the platform because the B2B industry relies heavily on reputation. We intend to use the reviews we get to reinforce our outreach and marketing efforts.

Today we celebrate a big step in realizing that plan because we earned our first 5-star review on the platform.

"The team is quite responsive and very adaptive."

About The Project

The company we were working with for this particular project was a leading financial institution that needed a reliable vendor to assist them on a long-term basis. They chose our team precisely because of the reputation we have in the IT education industry.

Our main responsibilities included organizing several annual events on behalf of the client. Unfortunately, we can’t go into too much detail about the project in itself. Those interested to get more information about it can read the full review on our Clutch profile.

What is Next?

One development we can share is what happened after the publication of this review. Thanks to its positive attention and high score, SoftUni Global is now among the top corporate training companies on The Manifest – another B2B platform that elevates vendors by creating ranked listings of the top performers in each industry.

The fact we are considered a leading educational organization by respectable B2B platforms is a big step in the right direction. It will create more opportunities to connect with businesses around the world that can benefit from our expertise.

Learn more about the ways we can positively impact your operations by browsing our franchise, business, or educational services. You can also reach out to our team by email at info@softuni.org for any questions or inquiries you might have regarding a potential partnership.

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]]> https://softuni.org/blog/softuni-globals-first-5-star-b2b-review/feed/ 0 How to Become a Software Engineer? The 4 Groups of Developer Skills https://softuni.org/blog/become-a-software-engineer-developer-skills/ Wed, 04 Aug 2021 19:08:00 +0000 http://demo.themegrill.com/colormag/?p=123 Every software engineer holds 4 major skill groups: Coding skills: 20% Algorithmic thinking and problem solving: 30% Software engineering and computer science: 25% Languages, technologies, frameworks: 25% The first 3 groups of skills are fundamental and change slowly over time. The last group is changed frequently and is bound to certain programming languages, APIs, or […]

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Every software engineer holds 4 major skill groups:

  • Coding skills: 20%
  • Algorithmic thinking and problem solving: 30%
  • Software engineering and computer science: 25%
  • Languages, technologies, frameworks: 25%

The first 3 groups of skills are fundamental and change slowly over time. The last group is changed frequently and is bound to certain programming languages, APIs, or frameworks.

Video: How to Become a Software Engineer?

Watch the video below, in which Dr. Svetlin Nakov explains the skills of software engineers and how to develop them, how much time it takes, etc.

If you want to be a developer, focus on the fundamental skills and don’t start with the technologies (the last category). First learn to code, then develop algorithmic thinking, then start learning technologies and frameworks and mix them with computer science fundamentals.

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]]> Top 5 Beginner Programming Mistakes https://softuni.org/blog/top-5-beginner-programming-mistakes/ Sun, 01 Aug 2021 15:14:00 +0000 https://blog.softuni.org/?p=793 As a beginner, your coding journey is probably a tough experience. Making mistakes is a normal part of the learning process, which you should always keep in mind – there’s a reason people say “Failure is a great teacher”. In this article, you will learn which are the top 5 mistakes a beginner usually makes. […]

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As a beginner, your coding journey is probably a tough experience. Making mistakes is a normal part of the learning process, which you should always keep in mind – there’s a reason people say “Failure is a great teacher”. In this article, you will learn which are the top 5 mistakes a beginner usually makes. By reading it, you would hopefully be able to create a habit to avoid them in the future and improve your skills as a programmer.

Bad Variable Names

Beginners usually don’t really pay attention to details, such as how they use uppercase and lowercase characters in variable and function names. In most cases, they are doing it randomly. That’s not a good idea. To put it simply, it should be presented in a way that makes it clear and organized when someone else decides to read it. Depending on the language you use, there are specific convention styles. For instance, in C# for variable names we use ‘camelCase’ – the first word starts with a lower case and each additional word with an uppercase (ex. myVariableName). The level of complexity of a variable is also an important component. Level of complexity means that If a variable has a large scope and carries much more complexity, it should be given a long and more detailed name. A variable with a simple concept needs to carry a short and simple name.

Learning Everything At Once

When you start learning programming, you will quickly find out that there is literally a sea of information – tons of different programming languages, libraries, frameworks, API’s and so on. It’s a good idea to focus on a certain area of development and master the necessary skills for it, Instead of getting lost in the information flow.

Not Practicing Enough

If you think that watching tutorials or reading books is enough to absorb the information – you are wrong. You may understand it perfectly but in the end, what you get from it is only a false sense of confidence. For example, when you start practicing – you start facing more and more variable issues, which teaches you to find solutions quickly. In other words – ”less theory, more coding” is the best way to go!

Giving Up Before Even Trying

Do you hate it when someone says ‘I can’t do it’, especially even if they haven’t even tried? Beginners sometimes tend to give up after the first unsuccessfully resolved issue. Failure is what makes you better at what you do, take that saying as it is because it is that simple when it comes to programming.

Lack Of Motivation

‘I think I’m not good enough to be a programmer. Is programming for me? Should I even try, or do I look into something else for my future career?’- this is a situation that most people experience at the beginning of their programming journey. A way to get your passion back is to have a specific end goal in mind. This will be the goal that will motivate you to continue. It’s easy to get distracted and lose focus but with a specific goal in your mind – this is no longer a problem.

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]]> What is SoftUni? https://softuni.org/blog/what-is-softuni/ Thu, 01 Jul 2021 16:23:00 +0000 https://blog.softuni.org/?p=588 SoftUni is one of the biggest and most respected providers of non-formal education in South-Eastern Europe. The company was founded in 2013 to provide accessible, high-quality, and up-to-date programming training in Bulgaria. Shortly after, SoftUni became a market leader and started offering courses in Design and Digital Marketing as well. In 9 years we have […]

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SoftUni is one of the biggest and most respected providers of non-formal education in South-Eastern Europe. The company was founded in 2013 to provide accessible, high-quality, and up-to-date programming training in Bulgaria. Shortly after, SoftUni became a market leader and started offering courses in Design and Digital Marketing as well. In 9 years we have helped thousands of students get a profession and start a job.

SoftUni also helps companies with strategic business cooperation, franchise opportunities, intensive corporate training, and comprehensive educational materials. Our partnering network consists of 100+ local and international corporations, many of which use our B2B services daily.

Innovative methodology and curriculum

SoftUni’s biggest competitive advantage is its innovative educational programs. The scheduled on-site or online instructor-led group training allows students to easily combine learning with other commitments like work or school. 

The comprehensive learning approach focuses on integrating theoretical knowledge with real-life exercises and projects. All curriculums are developed by industry experts and structured into open courses, modules, and professional programs with a gradually increasing difficulty.

The educational materials and assignments are being constantly revised to include best practices and the latest software technologies. This gives students the necessary skills to obtain a job in their chosen profession.

To better help both individuals and businesses, SoftUni has been building close relationships with leading local and international companies in the tech, digital marketing, and graphic design industries from its start. Their constructive feedback and market insights help in revising and expanding the existing curriculums. As a result, SoftUni’s graduates find it easier to get internships and job opportunities in comparison to traditional university alumni. On the other hand, the local industries benefit from qualified professionals matching the skill set companies are looking for. This in turn boosts the national economy and especially the IT ecosystem with its ever-growing demand for competent developers and software engineers.

SoftUni Initiatives

  • Software University – an innovative educational center that trains students in Information Technologies, Programming, and Quality Testing in Bulgarian and helps jump-start their careers;
  • SoftUni Digital –  first of its kind in Bulgaria, the center offers complete professional programs and open courses for digital marketing specialists;
  • SoftUni Creative – first-of-its-kind academy for Design, Creativity, and Visualization for graphic and interior designers and digital artists, in Bulgarian;
  • SoftUni Kids – courses in Programming, Electronics and Robotics, Animation, and Graphic Design in Bulgarian for children between 5 and 12 years old following the learning-through-practice model and constant teamwork;
  • “SoftUni Light” High School – the first private high school for IT and digital skills in Bulgaria that trains students in Programming, Entrepreneurship, Graphic Design, Digital Marketing, and E-commerce alongside all the state-required subjects;
  • SoftUni Foundation –a non-profit organization that develops and distributes free learning materials in Bulgarian for individuals and high school teachers to further support modern tech and digital education;
  • SoftUni Global – the international branch of SoftUni that offers business solutions and individual self-paced software developer programs, in English.

Results in Bulgaria

SoftUni’s mission is to create true experts and future leaders by providing practical, quality, and affordable education in digital and information technologies. Since establishing the company, we have been working towards a specific dream – to make Bulgaria the Silicon Valley of Europe.

In the last 9 years we have:

  • Built and managed an engaged educational community of 300 000+ former and current students;
  • Established and developed partnerships with 100+ leading local and international companies;
  • Conducted 2 000+ trainings and 1 500+ seminars and events;
  • Had 23 000+ video lessons with an overall duration of 70 000+ hours;
  • Reached a success rate of 97% of programming graduates starting a job in tech.

SoftUni Business Solutions

Our efforts to contribute to the global digital revolution extend beyond helping individuals realize their professional dreams with quality education. SoftUni supports business development through franchise opportunities and talent acquisition and development and provides educators worldwide with comprehensive teaching content and software.

Franchised Opportunities

In 2021 we created the SoftUni Franchise Program to help entrepreneurs achieve financial success and security and become educational leaders. We provide everything they need to establish, manage, and advertise a programming academy – business advice, industry know-how, and unparallel initial and ongoing support. SoftUni’s franchisees in Europe and Asia have already produced impressive results using our educational methodology, teaching materials, and innovative software.

Business Growth Through Talent

SoftUni is in a position to help meet the ever-growing demand for qualified professionals in the IT industry. We connect employers with pre-selected job applicants or organize train-to-hire bootcamps. To further ease the interview process, we also provide an automated tool for testing candidates’ technical skills.

Our online or on-site corporate training educates teams in new or niche technologies with pre-made or custom materials. Employees learn from presentations, video tutorials, real-life examples, practical exercises, eBooks, and more. Companies also have the option to hire one of our experienced trainers to provide more practical experience for both online and on-site courses.

Services for Educators

SoftUni helps institutions and individual coaches worldwide modernize and expand their offerings. Schools, universities, tech influencers, and entrepreneurs can use our proven methodologies, teaching materials, and software in their scheduled, group, or self-paced programs. We license content for Software Engineering, Digital Marketing, UI, and UX Design. SoftUni also offers innovative practice-orientated K-12 STEM courses and high-school-level curriculums.

What is Next?

If you want to start a career as a programmer, now is the perfect time to begin learning. SoftUni’s self-paced Java and JavaScript Developer programs are a result of our years-long experience in helping thousands of people learn to code and find a job in IT. Try now with a 7-day free trial.

If you are looking for comprehensive corporate training or the most efficient way to start or expand an educational business, SoftUni provides the know-how, teaching materials, and software you need. Contact us and learn how to achieve your business and personal goals.

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]]> What Do You Need To Become A Programmer? https://softuni.org/blog/what-it-really-means-to-be-a-programmer/ Fri, 07 May 2021 15:33:00 +0000 https://blog.softuni.org/?p=574 Many of you may ask yourself the question: “What do I need to become a programmer?” And immediately after that follows the answer: “A programming language, of course!” But is the programming language enough? What Does It Really Mean To Be A Programmer? To be a programmer means to have the ability to find solutions […]

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Many of you may ask yourself the question: “What do I need to become a programmer?” And immediately after that follows the answer: “A programming language, of course!” But is the programming language enough?

What Does It Really Mean To Be A Programmer?

To be a programmer means to have the ability to find solutions for different problems and tasks by creating mathematical and logical constructions. This ability by itself consists of a few key components: a coding skill, developing your algorithmic thinking, and fundamental knowledge in the professional department in which you want to develop – programming language.

The Coding Skills

To some of you, “coding” at first sight may only mean learning a particular programming language. In reality, in order to be able to code, you need the have some technical skills like:

  • Work with variables, loops, and conditional statements;
  • Using functions, methods, and objects;
  • Skills for working with arrays, lists, associative arrays, and etc.

Exactly the acquirement of this knowledge is what gives you the ability to code. And all the programming languages are just another way of showing these abilities and expressing them in code.

Algorithmic Thinking

Algorithmic thinking (also called “engineering thinking”, “mathematical thinking” or “logical thinking”) is another very important trait of a good programmer. What it is? This is the ability to find different mathematical relations in a particular problem and use it as a provider for the information needed to solve that problem. This skill lowers down only to your logical thinking. You can develop that skill by solving different mathematical, and physical (not obligatory), but mandatory by solving many programming problems. Why? Because a programming task is just a huge problem, the solution to which consists of understanding the problem and splitting it into smaller problems, finding the correlation between them, and constructing a solution.
If we want to be more exact – you have to solve a minimum of 1000 programming problems a year. This way you will gain experience in problem-solving using mathematical means – something crucial in programming. In the process of developing that skill, the programming language does not matter.

Basic Knowledge Of The Profession

Here we can already tell that the programming language does matter. Why? Different kinds of problems are solved with different technologies (or programming languages). And those technologies follow different mathematical and logical models called “paradigms“. Different programming languages are based on different paradigms. Here are some of them:

  • Imperative programming – this is a programming paradigm, in which the programming languages are called “statements” that influence a particular program and its current condition. Shortly, in imperative programming using the code we write, we give directions to our program for how to operate. The imperative programming is exactly the opposite of Declarative programming. Popular paradigms which are part of imperative programming are the Object-Oriented-Programming (OOP) and procedural programming.
    • OOP – object-oriented-programming. In this paradigm, in the code we write, we differentiate groups, called “classes” and “objects”, which interact with each other. Popular programming languages, which include this paradigm, are Java, C++, and C#.
    • Procedural programming – unlike the OOP, procedural programming is built on top of the “procedural call”. The procedures (also known as “programs”, “subprograms” and “functions”) represent a sequence of calculated/command steps that are being executed. Each procedure can be called at a given time during the execution of the program, including from other procedures or from itself. The first popular procedural languages appear in the 50s and some of them are Fortran, ALGOL, COBOL, and BASIC. Some of the most popular procedural languages like Pascal and C appear around a decade later.
  • Declarative programming – this is a programming paradigm, which covers the way of constructing the structure and the elements of a computer program – it expresses programming logic that has to be executed without affecting the “control flow”. The paradigm for declarative programming is in the complete opposite of the paradigm for imperative programming. A popular paradigm based on declarative programming is “functional programming”
    • Functional programming – this is a programming paradigm built on top of the concept of declarative programming. The output of a given function depends only on the input parameters that it is provided with. The functional programming is suitable for cases, in which working with imperative paradigms would lead to wrong results.

There are many paradigms and they are all different, here I mentioned only the most popular ones. They however are only a part of successfully acquiring computer technology. You should also know:

  • Data bases – this is a collection of logically connected data, which is part of a specific area. Each data base should be structured in a specific way. There are many existing applications and frameworks, which combined, ease the process of acquiring, structuring, and maintaining the created data bases.
  • Web technologies – here are included the languages for designing different kinds of online functionalities like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, DOM, AJAX, and others.
  • Networks – network programming, network protocols, and network communication – here we talk about the way computers connect to each other.

But why I mentioned that here the programming language does matter? Because different languages follow different paradigms and are designed for different purposes. You cannot expect a language that was created for WEB Design, to cope with problems, which are solvable by OOP or functional programming, and the opposite is also valid. You have to be able to decide what kind of problems you are going to solve and choose the programming language in which to invest your time and effort. However, you must first build the fundamental knowledge described above.

Programming Language

We arrived at the question about the programming language. Since we already specified what the different paradigms аre, now we are going to talk about their other aspect – the “level” of each of them. We use the term “level” to describe whether the coding in that language requires closer contact with the hardware. If the language originates from a lower level, that means that you need to define which sections of your memory your program will use and which not. Meaning that apart from the programming, you need to spend time acquiring skills that are needed for optimizing your program. This leads to the need for more lines of code for describing the action you are taking. On the other side, the programming languages which are on a higher level do not require any optimization from your side and the code you need to write is less.

What Programming Language To Choose As My First?

It depends on you. First, you need to be aware of yourself. If you have some specific interest in the IT sector, find the most appropriate language for that. Languages that are not suitable for beginners are those like Swift, Objective, C, and others. Moreover the languages on lower levels like C++, C and not to mention Assembly. They are extremely difficult and it will be hard for you to gain the needed qualification as a beginner.

If you however are just seeking qualification, or just want to see if programming is your thing, keep in mind that the industry is mostly searching for developers in high-level languages like C#, Java, and Python, and if you are interested in web development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP.

Where Can I Improve My Knowledge?

The software engineering program in SoftUni will help you acquire all of the needed knowledge and skills that you need to start your career. If you are interested in Web Development with C# or Java, you will need around 2 years to successfully complete the program and become a wealthy Web Developer with those technologies and around one, one and a half years for starting a job.
If you choose Python or JavaScript your education will be shorter – around 18 months and on the 12th you will be ready to start a job.

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]]> What Do We Need To Know About JavaScript? https://softuni.org/blog/what-do-we-need-to-know-about-javascript-2/ Sun, 24 Jan 2021 16:27:00 +0000 https://blog.softuni.org/?p=590 Although JavaScript is developing at an incredible pace and is among the most popular programming languages in the GitHub and Stack-Overflow communities, there are still a number of misconceptions or myths about the language. The JavaScript Name Often, novice developers confuse JavaScript with Java, though there is almost nothing in common between the two languages. […]

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Although JavaScript is developing at an incredible pace and is among the most popular programming languages in the GitHub and Stack-Overflow communities, there are still a number of misconceptions or myths about the language.

The JavaScript Name

Often, novice developers confuse JavaScript with Java, though there is almost nothing in common between the two languages. In fact, JavaScript goes through several language shifts until it gets the name it is has today. It was first developed under the name Mocha in May 1995, but during the ongoing development, Netscape (the company that had developed it) renamed it to LiveScript. The next change comes at the end of the same year when the language gets the name it is known for today – JavaScript. Some people suggest that this is due to the use of Netscape’s Java technology in the creation of their Netscape Navigator browser, and according to others, the name is the result of a contract between Netscape and Sun Microsystems.

Is JavaScript Sufficient?

Many people think that JavaScript is not widely applicable compared to other languages like Java, Python, and so on, since it was created only for 10 days and covered the requirements of strictly specific tasks. Nevertheless, more than 20 years have passed since the creation of the language and he has not stopped developing yet. Today, there are many full-featured JavaScript frameworks, libraries, and plugins that can modify the language to your own needs.

Is JavaScript Used Only For Browser Interactions?

JavaScript has evolved so much over the year of its existence that today the creation of various browser functionalities is just a small part of all the things JavaScript is capable of. Additionally, today JavaScript can be used in the back-end using Node.js and/or Express.js, etc. to create desktop applications using Electron.js, and almost all JavaScript front-end frames are used for iOS and Android apps.

If you want to acquire knowledge of how to build the Front-End structure of a web application, then our end-to-end professional JavaScript program is right for you.

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]]> Where Can You Apply C#? https://softuni.org/blog/where-csharp-can-be-applied/ Thu, 24 Dec 2020 16:32:00 +0000 https://blog.softuni.org/?p=595 The decisive factor for choosing a programming language is its relevance. C# (pronounced “C-sharp”) is a general-purpose language that is suitable for a variety of purposes. Here are some of them: C# For Web Development One of the things that C# is extremely suitable for is web development. For this purpose, C# developers have a […]

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The decisive factor for choosing a programming language is its relevance. C# (pronounced “C-sharp”) is a general-purpose language that is suitable for a variety of purposes. Here are some of them:

C# For Web Development

One of the things that C# is extremely suitable for is web development. For this purpose, C# developers have a framework called ASP.NET. It is suitable for server applications, allowing you to build dynamic web pages with the C# language. Of course, we are talking about the back-end part that a site or an online application could use. As far as the design is concerned, you will still need the standard tools.

C# For Desktop Applications

There is hardly anything that makes the language more appropriate. We are all familiar with Microsoft’s dominance in operating systems, so it’s hardly a surprise that for beginner programmers, that work on Windows, there couldn’t be a more appropriate language than C # (which is also a Microsoft product). Add to this that Microsoft has its own development environment (IDE) that is in tune with the language and you get a full set of desktop application development tools.

C# For Mobile Development

With C#, you can even develop mobile apps. Previously, the mobile development was Java territory and other mobile-specific technologies, but after Microsoft acquired Xamarin in 2016, they actively began developing cross-platform application technology with the same name. It allows you to create applications written on C# that run even on the macOS of Apple!

C# For Game Development

Although games can be included in some of the app types listed above, game development is a completely separate niche that has its own specifics. When we talk about gaming, the most commonly mentioned language is C ++, but of course, C# is also used in this sphere. Take for example the most popular open-source game engine – Unity. It is written entirely on C# and accordingly, to program events, settings, or whatever in Unity, you only need C# to understand the principles of object-oriented programming.

Is It Suitable For Beginners?

Completely! It’s hard to find a more appropriate language to start your adventure in the programming world. It is easy to learn and has many career opportunities for C# developers.

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]]> Beginner’s Guide: Programming and software technologies https://softuni.org/blog/beginners-guide-programming-and-software-technologies/ Tue, 01 Dec 2020 14:20:00 +0000 https://blog.softuni.org/?p=703 We are constantly hearing that programming and IT knowledge are becoming increasingly important, demanding, and promising. They say there are many open positions in the software industry, as well as opportunities for growth and development. But what exactly is programming and software development, and which are the most popular programming languages today, we will try […]

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]]> We are constantly hearing that programming and IT knowledge are becoming increasingly important, demanding, and promising. They say there are many open positions in the software industry, as well as opportunities for growth and development. But what exactly is programming and software development, and which are the most popular programming languages today, we will try to explain here.

What is programming?

The essence of programming is to manage how the computer works at its various levels. The management is done by using commands from the programmer to the computer. These commands are written and executed uninterruptedly by the computer. They are numerous, and different types of programming languages are used to conduct them.

Programming languages

Through programming languages, developers give instructions for the computer to execute. Program languages can be used to create programs that control the behavior of the computer or implement algorithms. Thousands of programming languages are created and continue to be created each year. Some of them are becoming widely used. Examples are: C#, Java, C++, PHP, JavaScript, C, etc

The most popular programming languages today

It is difficult to determine the exact order of the most popular programming languages today but according to GitHub an Inc at the forefront are Java, JavaScript, C#, C/C++, PHP, Python, Ruby, Objective-C/Swift.

Many of these languages are taught in the Software University program. The important thing is to grasp the process of breaking down a problem into subtasks and the sequence of writing code in order to find a solution. Once they have this base, the good programmer can switch between languages because their syntax is quite similar.

Here is a brief description of the abilities of the most popular languages:

  • Java – Originally, when it was created in 1991, the Oracle – Java programing language was designed to program smart TVs. Today, however, it is used to develop Android applications, with the mobile operating system itself being developed on Java. “Java” usually means not only the Java language, but also the Java and Java EE platforms. Complicated server-side systems and also web based software, as well as bigger industrial systems that include complex processing and require big amount of reliability, are written in this language.

  • C# – This programming language is another variation of C. It was created by Microsoft and embodies many of Java’s concepts. C # is used to build numerous software applications and systems: from heavy server logic (where it competes with Java) to web applications (competing with PHP) and desktop applications (where it virtually has no competition on the Windows platform) as well as mobile applications (where it competes with Java for Android devices and Objective-C for iOS devices). C # is very suitable for beginners, and therefore it is introductory in SoftUni’s program.

  • JavaScript – JavaScript is a scripting language that is mainly used to build user interfaces in web and mobile applications. JavaScript us used for is writing the client part of applications (what the user sees) and is rarely used for the server part (logic, storage and processing of data). The Node.js technology allows JavaScript to be used for server applications, but for one reason or another it is not used extensively. JavaScript has nothing to do with Java except for the name similarity.

  • PHP – PHP is one of the most common languages in the web – some say it covers 1/3 of all websites. Sites like WordPress, Facebook, Yahoo use it. PHP is a language for creating dynamic web sites and client web applications. PHP is almost always used along with HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

  • C++ – It is used mainly for software products like games, office applications, graphic and video editors and operational systems. Objective-C and Swift – Objective-C was the main programming language used by Apple for their operational systems OS X and iOS until June 2014 when Apple presented their own programming language Swift. Little by little since then Apple has migrated their software products to be maintained by Swift. Swift was created with the idea to be resistant to wrong code, in other words, safer than Objective-C, as well as to use less code.

Which programming language to start with?

Many people ask which programming language is best to start with. That is a complicated question and it doesn’t have just one answer.


Our advice is to learn one more general programming language (like Java or C#) so the main concepts of programming can be understood. It’s a good idea to learn one script language as well (like JavaScript or PHP). In addition, learn main technologies in the database and web software development as well as data structures and algorithms and you will have a solid knowledge base.

What is front-end and back-end development? What is the difference?

Software technologies and programming languages are being used for different purposes and creating different kinds of software. In general, we can unify them in the following categories:

  • Technologies for user interface (front-end): HTML, CSS, JavaScript;

  • Technologies for server-side programming: C#, Java, PHP, Python;

  • Technologies for data manipulation (back-end): databases and SQL, ORM technologies, web services and REST;

  • Other technologies and platforms: mobile platforms, cloud technologies, software engineering, operating systems, built-in systems, low level languages like C and C++;

Sources for learning programming

Just attending classes is far from enough to enter and advance into such a dynamic profession as that of a developer. This is why we recommend researching and learning things on your own. All course resources by
SoftUni are available on our site:

  • „Fundamentals of Computer Programming with C#“ – authors Svetlin Nakov and Co.;

  • Stack Overflow – One of the most visited sites by all developers. There you can find answers to almost all of your questions (and if you don’t succeed you can always ask in the forum).

  • Computer Programming in Quora – in the forum you can find answers to frequently asked questions like “What is programming?”, “Why should I bother studying it?” Which is the best book for my programming language?” etc.

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]]> 4 Impressive Python Facts https://softuni.org/blog/4-impressive-python-facts/ Wed, 25 Nov 2020 15:12:00 +0000 https://blog.softuni.org/?p=718 Python is becoming more and more popular quite literally with each day. If you have been searching for some reasons why to choose exactly this programming language for your software engineering career, this is probably the right place for you. Here are 4 impressive facts about Python that could help you with your decision-making process: […]

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Python is becoming more and more popular quite literally with each day. If you have been searching for some reasons why to choose exactly this programming language for your software engineering career, this is probably the right place for you.

Here are 4 impressive facts about Python that could help you with your decision-making process:

  1. The number of Python users is growing tremendously

A recent study shows that Python is among the top 5 most popular programming languages of the new era. Another study, conducted by Stack Overflow in 2017, shows that approximately 32% of the developers use Python, and another 20% intend to start using it in the near future.

An interesting fact is that in the Stack Overflow developer community there are over 1 100 000 questions asked about Python, which says a lot about the language’s popularity.

  • There are Python packages for everything!

Over 147 000 packages are available in the so-called “Cheese Shop” (the index is named after an episode of the TV series “Monty Python’s flying circus”, which was the inspiration for the language’s name as well). The huge number of packages in the repository is what makes the language so popular and flexible. This is also what makes Python suitable for web development, data science, and even game development or DevOps without the need to start from scratch and write your own code every time. GitHub’s situation is very similar as well – there are over half a million repositories there that use Python.

  • Python and Data Science

As I mentioned in the previous paragraph – Python is also suitable for Data Science, which is the first step towards Machine Learning and AI. Google’s project TensorFlow is amongst the most forked projects at GitHub (from “Fork” – making a copy of an existing project and building a new one using the same base). Combined with other libraries like Scikit-learn and Keras, you get a solid base for the development of AI while you also have flexibility and ease of use for everyone who knows how to work with Python. The fact that these libraries exist is extremely important because they allow the programmers to focus on developing and improving what they already have, instead of starting everything from scratch every time.

  • Impressive statistics

A study of a popular economy media shows that nearly 40% of the American schools offer Python programs to their students, which is impressive, especially compared to the 10% from 2013! Here is another interesting fact – in 2015 in the UK 6 out of every 10 parents directed their children towards learning the Python language instead of French!

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]]> 5 more reasons to choose Java https://softuni.org/blog/5-more-reasons-to-choose-java/ Thu, 15 Oct 2020 07:23:00 +0000 https://blog.softuni.org/?p=796 Java is a programming language created by James Gosling in 1991, and later publicly released in 1996 by Sun Microsystems. It has been the most popular programming language worldwide since 2001 and numbers show that it will stay there for at least another decade. Here are a few more reasons why Java is a wonderful […]

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]]> Java is a programming language created by James Gosling in 1991, and later publicly released in 1996 by Sun Microsystems. It has been the most popular programming language worldwide since 2001 and numbers show that it will stay there for at least another decade. Here are a few more reasons why Java is a wonderful first step towards a bright career future in programming:

1. Portable and versatile

Java is a highly portable language. It follows the write-once-run-anywhere (WORA) philosophy. Once you write your code and compile it to Java bytecode (.jar file), you don’t have to do anything else to run it on any OS which supports Java. It achieves that by using the JVM (Java Virtual Machine). For Java to support a new platform, the JVM needs to be rewritten, and then every existing Java program, library, framework will work on it. This is exceptionally useful for big projects, as you don’t need to write different code for every platform your program runs on. Java is also highly versatile. Its design makes it easy to create almost any type of application. This makes it a perfect multi-purpose programming language.

2. Application

As I mentioned above, Java is used in almost everything. This includes desktop applications, games, web servers, automotive software, industrial robots, medical equipment, IOT devices, mobile phones, banking systems, mainframes and even internet routers. This means that there is always a need for Java developers in almost every tech industry.

Check out: 4 reasons to choose Java

3. Beginner-friendly

Initially, Java was designed to be an easier alternative to C++. While keeping a big part of C++’s syntax, Java manages to present its functionality in a way that is easier for beginners to understand. Java is a garbage-collected language, which means that you don’t need to manually manage the memory of the program, and instead focus on implementing new features. Java runs on a virtual machine, which improves security and portability. It uses just-in-time (JIT) compilation, which does most of the optimization work for you. This makes programming with Java easier than many other languages.

4. Community

Java has been around for a very long time (23 years). It is one of the most mature languages out there. Since its release, Java has built a big community around itself. It has the second biggest StackOverflow community, where millions of professional Java developers help beginners. If you encounter any problem while using Java, be it an error or a bug, somebody has probably already found a solution for it. Being so mature, Java has had many frameworks built for it. A few notable examples are: Spring – a framework for backend web development, JavaFX – a software platform for desktop applications, Hibernate – an object-relational mapping tool for databases, and JUnit – a framework for unit testing.

5. Popularity

Java has held its first place on the TIOBE Index since 2001, only falling to second place in 2015. It is the most widely used language. 9 out of 10 Fortune 500 companies use Java in one form or another. It, along with Python, is the most popular introductory programming language worldwide.

Conclusion

Java has been the highest-ranking language by popularity since 2001. Its mature set of frameworks and libraries, big community, relatively simple, but flexible design, and the always high demand for it have made it one of the best languages for beginners to learn, and that would most likely not change in the foreseeable future.

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]]> Why to Choose to Become a Programmer? https://softuni.org/blog/why-to-choose-to-become-a-programmer/ Mon, 10 Aug 2020 15:51:00 +0000 https://blog.softuni.org/?p=578 One of the biggest and most important decisions we make in our lives is choosing our profession. This decision is important not only because of the financial opportunities it provides us but also for the people in our surroundings and for our happiness and satisfaction.No matter if you already have chosen your path or you […]

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One of the biggest and most important decisions we make in our lives is choosing our profession. This decision is important not only because of the financial opportunities it provides us but also for the people in our surroundings and for our happiness and satisfaction.
No matter if you already have chosen your path or you are still looking for your future career, one of the best things you can invest your time in, is the profession of a programmer. You wonder why? Here are some of the reasons:
One of the rapidly developing industries so far is the IT sector. Why is that? Well, because every economical department needs software: car maintenance, elevators, refrigerators. Moreover, the software is used in finances, accounting offices, schools, medical institutions, universities, etc. We can go on forever. Don’t forget the household needs, we are surrounded by technologies, which require software. Of course, this need for software reveals many new slots and new opportunities and that need leads to a rapid boost in the IT sector.

Various Paths

Tourism, marketing, art, education, finances…the variety of paths for software developers is huge. No industry will be able to function without its software developers.
And if you get tired of web development, you can start making mobile applications. If you don’t want to create games with C# or C++, you can start learning cyber security, software architecture, or optimization.

Flexible Working Time and A Remote Job

A remote job is something that is frequently seen, not only abroad, but also here in Bulgaria. Most developers don’t need to be 24/7 in the office, they can do their job wherever they are: in the park, in the coffee shop down the street, co-working space, lounge bar. Since it is not obligatory to work in an office, you can complete your tasks whenever you want throughout the day – early in the morning with a cup of coffee, or at night when most people have already fallen asleep. The most important thing is that you complete your tasks on time. This way you not only save time by not having to walk to the office, but it also gives you an opportunity to choose to work at times you feel most productive throughout the day.

Payment Above The Average

Let me tell you straight: when talking about programming every one of us is kind of aware of the attractive reward and the fast and unlimited opportunities in the IT sector. It is not right, however, to look at the payment as your only motivation. A real programmer is mostly driven by his interest in solving all the problems that he encounters, and the good payment comes as a reward for his great work. Behind that excellent reward hide many many hours, days even years of hard work and self-improvement.
Moreover, it is very important to have the ability to work properly, meaning to be able to think and make decisions under stress and complete your task in limited periods of time. Exactly that ability to successfully solve problems, no matter the harsh circumstances, is what leads to the lack of worthy programmers and if you are educated and literate in your technology, all companies would pay you enough, so you would never think about leaving.

Opportunities for Growth

“IT sector” is a wide definition. This industry combines within itself an endless amount of opportunities – not only for “programmatically” thinking people, who like mathematics but also for people who are interested in the outside look of products and their marketing. If you consider yourself from the first type: you can try developing your programming skills by learning C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python. They are extremely popular these days and many companies need those kinds of people who are familiar with these technologies.

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]]> Tips for Beginner Programmers https://softuni.org/blog/tips-for-beginner-programmers/ Mon, 03 Aug 2020 18:53:00 +0000 https://blog.softuni.org/?p=604  Anyone who has just started walking the programmer’s path or intends to give it a go is likely to have some misconceptions and many questions as to what they need to be successful in their careers. Here are some tips that will wrap up what programming is and what the programmer’s path is. 1. Programming […]

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 Anyone who has just started walking the programmer’s path or intends to give it a go is likely to have some misconceptions and many questions as to what they need to be successful in their careers. Here are some tips that will wrap up what programming is and what the programmer’s path is.

1. Programming Is a Tool

It is important to understand that programming itself is just a tool with which you solve problems, it is not a solution. The solution to a problem is the idea that arises in your mind and the code – the way you apply your idea. Remember, you must always think of the solution first and then look for the best way to implement it. The more you progress through programming – the easier it will be to convert your ideas into a specific programming code.

2. Learn the Basic Concepts

If you are still a newbie to programming, keep in mind that it is very easy to bite more than you can chew. This metaphor can be understood in several ways: There must always be a clear sequence in the things you study. You may be gifted with excellent memory, but if you study things in a random order, you can harm yourself by skipping something important. The variable learning order may lead to a disruption of the logic, connecting individual components in a given language. Also, “biting more than you can chew” from a programming language can get you lost in its details without getting any idea of ​​a more general picture about it. Needless to say, it is undesirable to “jump” into several programming languages ​​in parallel.
The best thing for you would be to understand the basic concepts of computer programming, as they apply to most computer languages. This includes terms such as object-oriented programming, conditional logic, data types, and many more.

3. Start with Projects that Are Interesting and Intriguing to You

When you start your programming path, being aware of which part of programming is most appealing to you becomes a necessity. Draw your attention to that which you find most interesting and learn everything you need to be able to get involved in it. You can also practice and improve your skills by creating applications, related to your interests and your ultimate goal.
The best thing that you can stand out with, in front of other candidates, for a job interview as a programmer, is a few goods and intriguing projects in your portfolio. These projects could prove that you have the qualities that employers are looking for. These qualities may include:

  • Being initiative and motivated to become a great programmer;
  • Ability to apply your knowledge in an actual, real-world application;
  • Strong self-confidence that you are ready and able to look for solutions to problems arising during the work process.

4. Question Everything

You will achieve progress much faster and you will learn much more if you first become accustomed to having a deep curiosity about how things work. Explore different programs and try to understand the logic behind each of their functions. Having deep knowledge of a software framework will make you much more effective in dealing with problems that arise in applications built with that framework.

5. Feeling Content with the Knowledge You Have "Is a No"

When it comes to programming, there is nothing wrong with not knowing and not understanding most things. Being aware of your own limitations will make it easier for you to overcome them. This is once more a reference to curiosity. It is through curiosity, that you will be able to discover new things – things you still do not know and understand, things, that you are unaware of, as to how they are built. By making such discoveries you can set new goals and aim for new horizons.

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