Software Development

Learn more about the skills and certifications you need for a career as software or DevOps engineer, mainframe developer, QA tester, and more.

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[Featured Image] Two computer programmers sit at a laptop and discuss what is open source software.

What Is Open Source Software and Why Use OSS?

Open source software is software anyone can view, copy, or modify. It’s popular because it’s free to use and a collaborative experience. Learn more about types of open source software and open source software examples.

October 29, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A woman sits at a desk and participates in a virtual meeting, one of many software as a service examples.

Software as a Service: Examples to Know in 2025

Software as a service, or SaaS, is a business model for software providers to offer access to their centrally hosted products for a subscription fee. Read on to learn eight software as a service examples and gain insight into their business models.

October 29, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Three web developers look at a computer monitor with django coding on it.

What Is Django and How Is It Used?

Django is a Python-based framework you can use to build everything from basic websites to complex applications and web platforms. Explore what Django is and why it’s important to know for coding and programming.

October 25, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Two computer programmers sit at a laptop and discuss what is open source software.

What Is Open Source Software and Why Use OSS?

Open source software is software anyone can view, copy, or modify. It’s popular because it’s free to use and a collaborative experience. Learn more about types of open source software and open source software examples.

October 29, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A woman sits at a desk and participates in a virtual meeting, one of many software as a service examples.

Software as a Service: Examples to Know in 2025

Software as a service, or SaaS, is a business model for software providers to offer access to their centrally hosted products for a subscription fee. Read on to learn eight software as a service examples and gain insight into their business models.

October 29, 2024

Article

Explore popular software development courses

Status: AI skills

IBM

Skills you'll gain: Istio, Node.JS, Software Development Life Cycle, Unit Testing, Object-Relational Mapping, Cloud Computing Architecture, Server Side, Application Deployment, React Redux, Kubernetes, Cloud Services, OpenShift, Git (Version Control System), Cloud Applications, Full-Stack Web Development, HTML and CSS, Cloud Computing, Jupyter, Generative AI, Interviewing Skills

Build toward a degree

4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
54K reviews

Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

IBM

Skills you'll gain: Software Development Life Cycle, Development Environment, Software Engineering, Software Architecture, Software Design, Programming Principles, Unified Modeling Language, Agile Methodology, Software Development, Scrum (Software Development), Web Development, Cloud Development, Integrated Development Environments, Application Development, Back-End Web Development, Front-End Web Development, Computer Programming, Python Programming

4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.2K reviews

Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Microsoft

Skills you'll gain: Excel Macros, Microsoft Excel, Data Cleansing, Excel Formulas, Pivot Tables And Charts, Dashboard, Forecasting, Data Presentation, Data Storytelling, Data Processing, Data Visualization Software, Data Manipulation, Data Visualization, Workflow Management, Data Quality, Statistical Analysis, Data Transformation, Data Analysis, Statistical Methods, Data Entry

4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
76 reviews

Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

[Featured Image] A professional sits at a desk in an office setting, answering system design interview questions.

9 Common System Design Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

When you’re interviewing for a position involving system design, you may benefit from answering practice questions. Review possible questions that could be posed during your interview for a system designer position.

October 25, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Two mainframe developers troubleshoot solutions to improve system performance.

What Is a Mainframe Developer?

Mainframe development is an exciting career where you’ll design and develop mainframe systems, install systems, and analyze data. Explore this important position that can open doors to careers in various industries to decide if it’s the path for you.

October 25, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Two business professionals are looking at a computer monitor discussing a business process made easier through the use of an integrated software.

Integrated Software: Uses and Advantages

Integrated software makes it easy for professionals to work seamlessly between different applications. Discover more about integrated software and its benefits for businesses.

October 23, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A young programmer who discovered how to learn sql sits at her office desk with a laptop and tablet and works.

How to Learn SQL

Explore SQL, including what it’s used for, how to learn SQL, and jobs where SQL is among the valuable coding skills you need to succeed.

October 22, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] After debating a computer science vs software engineering career path, a smiling man works at a laptop in a bright and airy open concept office.

Computer Science vs. Software Engineering: Explore Their Differences

While related, computer science and software engineering professionals have distinct job responsibilities. Explore computer science vs software engineering, including salary, skills, and job outlook for each field, so you can decide which is right for you.

October 21, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A man working on a computer is learning the different functional programming languages.

Top 5 Functional Programming Languages in 2025

Functional programming emerged approximately sixty years ago and is now seen by many as the future of the field. Learn more about functional programming languages, including the top languages to learn and how you can learn them.

October 21, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A male networker is at a server holding a laptop working on his presentation layer found within the OSI model.

Understanding the Presentation Layer: A Beginner’s Guide

Discover how the presentation layer functions as the sixth layer in the OSI model and how experience in this area might benefit a networking career.

October 21, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A businessman who has learned how to become a DevOps engineer sits at his desk and works on a laptop, helping his software development team plan project requirements and infrastructure.

How to Become a DevOps Engineer

In this role, you’ll help plan project requirements and infrastructure on a software development team. Learn which skills and education you’ll need to become a DevOps engineer, plus the average salary you can expect.

October 17, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A woman wears a headset and looks at a computer monitor, thinking while she deals with her team's technical debt.

What Is Technical Debt: A Guide

If you’ve ever borrowed money, you know about debt. But what about the term “technical debt,” which is familiar to the software community? Learn more about the concept and its costs in development.

October 14, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Three web developers look at a computer monitor with django coding on it.

What Is Django and How Is It Used?

Django is a Python-based framework you can use to build everything from basic websites to complex applications and web platforms. Explore what Django is and why it’s important to know for coding and programming.

October 25, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A professional sits at a desk in an office setting, answering system design interview questions.

9 Common System Design Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

When you’re interviewing for a position involving system design, you may benefit from answering practice questions. Review possible questions that could be posed during your interview for a system designer position.

October 25, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Two mainframe developers troubleshoot solutions to improve system performance.

What Is a Mainframe Developer?

Mainframe development is an exciting career where you’ll design and develop mainframe systems, install systems, and analyze data. Explore this important position that can open doors to careers in various industries to decide if it’s the path for you.

October 25, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Two business professionals are looking at a computer monitor discussing a business process made easier through the use of an integrated software.

Integrated Software: Uses and Advantages

Integrated software makes it easy for professionals to work seamlessly between different applications. Discover more about integrated software and its benefits for businesses.

October 23, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A young programmer who discovered how to learn sql sits at her office desk with a laptop and tablet and works.

How to Learn SQL

Explore SQL, including what it’s used for, how to learn SQL, and jobs where SQL is among the valuable coding skills you need to succeed.

October 22, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] After debating a computer science vs software engineering career path, a smiling man works at a laptop in a bright and airy open concept office.

Computer Science vs. Software Engineering: Explore Their Differences

While related, computer science and software engineering professionals have distinct job responsibilities. Explore computer science vs software engineering, including salary, skills, and job outlook for each field, so you can decide which is right for you.

October 21, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A man working on a computer is learning the different functional programming languages.

Top 5 Functional Programming Languages in 2025

Functional programming emerged approximately sixty years ago and is now seen by many as the future of the field. Learn more about functional programming languages, including the top languages to learn and how you can learn them.

October 21, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A male networker is at a server holding a laptop working on his presentation layer found within the OSI model.

Understanding the Presentation Layer: A Beginner’s Guide

Discover how the presentation layer functions as the sixth layer in the OSI model and how experience in this area might benefit a networking career.

October 21, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A businessman who has learned how to become a DevOps engineer sits at his desk and works on a laptop, helping his software development team plan project requirements and infrastructure.

How to Become a DevOps Engineer

In this role, you’ll help plan project requirements and infrastructure on a software development team. Learn which skills and education you’ll need to become a DevOps engineer, plus the average salary you can expect.

October 17, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A woman wears a headset and looks at a computer monitor, thinking while she deals with her team's technical debt.

What Is Technical Debt: A Guide

If you’ve ever borrowed money, you know about debt. But what about the term “technical debt,” which is familiar to the software community? Learn more about the concept and its costs in development.

October 14, 2024

Article

Software development covers a wide variety of skills and careers, from programming to quality assurance to DevOps. With so many options and opportunities available, it can be tricky to know where to start. On Coursera, you'll find expert resources to support your goals, whether you're just starting out or are ready to take the next step in your career. Explore software development topics, including:

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)