Let's say that your company needs C# (C Sharp) development or ASP.NET development in C#. How can you hire a C# developer with the right skills? If you're trying to develop C# skills internally, what skills will you need to teach your internal C# developer team?
It's probably more than you think.
Today, we're going to take an in-depth look at 12 essential C# programming skills, from basic technical skills to more advanced soft skills.
C# is a versatile object-oriented programming language (OOP) that can be used for developing a wide variety of software solutions that can run on both Linux and Windows operating systems. Whether you want to create desktop applications, web applications, or mobile apps that will run on Android or iOS devices, the C# language is a good choice. It's frequently used in both business web application development and mobile app development—and it's the primary language of quite a few mobile frameworks and web application development kits. Because C# is a general-purpose language, it can really be used for anything. C# also supports the MVC (Module-View-Controller) software architectural pattern. This makes it easier for developers to implement user interfaces.
Python is another very popular programming language. Why do people choose to use C# instead of Python, Java, or any of the other popular languages? There are many advantages to using C# for software development.
Finally, C# is an open-source language. That means that anyone can contribute to its development and improvement. And you can pop into Github for code whenever you need to.
C# is a great language for interfacing with ASP.NET Core as well.
The language that your organization chooses for web development will usually relate to the framework, platform, or product that you're creating. If you're writing general-purpose code in ASP.NET Core Web Applications, C# is the language for you.
ASP.NET is a web application development framework that can be used to build dynamic websites, web services, and web applications. It's written in C# and utilizes the .NET Framework. You can use C# easily with ASP.NET web development. C# is the language that you use, while ASP.NET is the web application framework that you work with. At a high level of abstraction, C# is how you tell the application-layer framework what to do.
Obviously, a C sharp programmer should know the ins and outs of C# and the .NET framework and tools such as Microsoft Visual Studio. One should also have a bachelor's degree in computer science but there are also general skills that will make C# programming much more effective for a developer. If you intend to make C# your programming focus, these are general programmer skills that you will need:
Being good at C# programming also means being good at understanding the business requirements for your code. This encompasses everything from knowing the specific input and output requirements to understanding how your code will be used in the greater context of the application. What is your code supposed to do? Why is it supposed to do it? The better your understanding, the more applicable the code will be.
This is a quintessential soft skill, but it's an important one. C# programming is typically done as part of a team, and good communication skills will make working with others much easier. This includes being able to explain your code clearly and concisely, as well as understanding the code that others have written.
If you're working on a software development team, you'll likely be involved in project management to some extent. This means being able to track the progress of your team's work, as well as coordinating with other teams to ensure that deadlines are met.
A C# programmer needs the ability to translate abstract concepts into working code. This means being able to take a problem and break it down into manageable pieces that can be coded. It also means being able to troubleshoot code when things go wrong. And you need to problem solve outside of coding. What happens if your stakeholders want something you just can't do?
If you're working on code that will have a user interface, you need to be able to design it in a way that is both functional and visually appealing. This requires an understanding of human-computer interaction principles.
Every C# / ASP.NET developer needs the ability to meet deadlines. This means being able to estimate how long it will take to write code and then deliver on that estimate. It also means being able to prioritize tasks and work on multiple tasks simultaneously. As a programmer becomes more experienced, this becomes second nature. But if you work with an entry-level programmer or an inexperienced team, you may find yourself absolutely blowing past deadlines.
A developer should also know HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and ReactJS to be able to develop the front end. While C# & ASP.NET are server-side technologies, these client-side technologies (run in the browser, not the server) are used to build the user interface and interactivity for web applications. A good C# programmer should have at least a basic understanding of how these web technologies work.
Database design and development are essential to most programs. If you don't know how to use a database, you'll need to. SQL Server is the most popular database platform to use for ASP.NET development. SQL Server has been highly optimized to work efficiently with ASP.NET and C#.
Ever heard of "rubber duck debugging"? It's a technique in which you explain your code line-by-line to an inanimate object. It might sound silly, but it can be really effective in helping you to find bugs in your code. Debugging is an essential skill for any programmer, and C# is no exception.
Cloud computing platforms, such as Microsoft Azure Cloud Services and Amazon Web Services (AWS), are becoming more and more popular, and as a C# programmer, you should have at least a basic understanding of how it works. Cloud technologies can be used to host web applications, store data, and more.
If you're working on a web application, chances are you'll need to integrate with at least one API. An API is a set of rules that specify how two applications can communicate with each other. Integration with an API can be a challenge, and it's important to have good problem-solving skills to be able to troubleshoot any problems. Within your industry, you may find that certain APIs are more essential than others. For example, integration with the Salesforce API can create seamless applications that run your business.
There are a lot of tool kits available to help with computer programming, and as a C# programmer, you should be familiar with at least some of them. These tool kits can help with anything from user interface design to data storage. One popular third-party toolkit is the Telerik ASP.NET Core UI Component Library, which greatly enhances the UI of an application and reduces the amount of time coding.
That was a lot of skills. Not every programmer or even programming team is going to have all those skills. If you don't want to learn C# development or hire a full-time backend developer, consider outsourcing your C# development entirely to a web software application development company.
There are many benefits to outsourcing C# development:
When you outsource your ASP.NET development to a team, you are essentially getting an extension of your in-house team. The right partner will feel like they are part of your company, not just some vendor. Outsourcing software development can give you more flexibility and scalability, giving you a team that is dedicated to your project, and that will see it through to completion.
There are many reasons to outsource ASP.NET development. These are just a few of the most important benefits.
When you are ready to take your business to the next level, consider outsourcing your C# development. It could be the best decision you ever make for your business.
If you've decided to build your dream team of C# software engineers, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
It can be hard to hire accomplished technical professionals without in-depth technical knowledge of your own by simply creating a job description and a job posting. Think about working with an IT consulting team that has years of experience. An IT consulting firm can identify the talent and skills you need to be successful in your C# project and then build the best custom software development solution for your company.
To discuss outsourcing your C# development for your next big project, or to get answers to any other important questions you might have, please contact Keene Systems today. You can also download our new eBook - Why ASP.NET Development Services Fuels Business Growth - to learn more about this essential topic.