Dotnet is a must-have technology that caters to a wide variety of features including web services, mobile applications, and gaming. So it’s hardly surprising that .Net development is a marketable skill with a well-compensated .net developer salary.
But what makes .Net development so popular? And who is a .dotnet engineer? Let’s unravel these questions below.
What Is .Net Development?
Today, companies are experiencing a testing and competitive phase to provide innovative services to users. Net development aids companies in this undertaking, providing a cost-effective and comprehensive alternative.
The .Net software development framework saw the light of the day in 1999. Today, it’s one of the most popular web development platforms along with Java, PHP, and Python.
Supported by Microsoft, it’s a universal ecosystem that can power a gamut of applications, including:
- The back-end and front-end applications development;
- ASP.Net web applications;
- Mobile application development;
- Windows applications and services;
- IoT application development;
- Game and simulation development;
- Cloud applications.
The main differentiators that make dotnet a coveted skill are as follows:
- An all-in-one framework for every application, including in-demand solutions like Machine Learning and cloud;
- Cost-effectiveness thanks to the versatility of the ecosystem;
- Device compatibility;
- Speed, scalability, and high performance;
- Supports most IDE tools;
Supported by Microsoft and managed by an open-source community.
Thereby, .Net development is a mandate in most corporate tech stacks of 2021. This translates into fierce demand for .dotnet coders across multiple industries.
But we never see university graduates with a degree in .Net technology. So how can you carve a career in dotnet? Let’s find out.
What Does a Net Developer Do?
A .NET software engineer is a developer engaged in designing, tailoring, and building software for Microsoft’s Windows platform. Their main work tools include . NET-friendly frameworks, such as VB.NET, C# (C sharp), and F# (F sharp).
In the .NET developer role, you will take over creating .Net applications, training end-users, and providing instant technical support. You are engaged in planning, designing, and building new functionality as well as debugging and troubleshooting.
As you see, .Net developers have a strictly technical role that comprises the following responsibilities:
- Producing code using .net languages such as C# and VB;
- Developing new functionality and upgrading existing functionality;
- Developing and upgrading user interfaces;
- Document-testing and debugging;
- Improving corporate frameworks for internal development;
- Performing requirements analysis and collaborating with team members to create user-friendly software designs, and others.
Traditionally, companies have different job descriptions based on the focus and level of seniority.
How To Start Your Career In Net
Software development is no walk in the park, so .Net programmers usually go a long way from zero to a master. Let’s see what skills can jumpstart your career in this niche.
University Degree
Although software development isn’t always associated with a Bachelor’s degree, a major in computer science or tech-related field will give you a head start. But usually, most employees who work in software have non-computer science backgrounds. It means that a related degree is not a mandate.
Here’s some rationale to prove this point. According to StackOverflow, more than half of programmers didn’t earn a college degree in computer science or related fields.
Therefore, the most popular way for developers to learn the dotnet technology is through tutorials and online courses.
Programming Languages
To perform your duties, you must be proficient in coding languages, including:
- C#
- F#
- VB.NET
C# is an absolute staple for this field since it is the best fit for Net development. The C# fundamentals power a variety of fields, including website creation, mobile applications, and Windows app development.
F# is another programming language from the .NET framework language family. Both C# and F# are supported by Microsoft and have similar performance. However, F# is more suitable for writing business logic like Big Data and machine learning. On the other hand, C# is more fit for developing interfaces and graphics or gaming.
Ideally, you should develop an understanding of both languages.
Relational and Non-Relational Databases
Any developer worth their salt should understand the whole software development process. Also, data storage constitutes a great part of web application development.
Hence, dotnet engineers must also understand database applications, such as:
- SQL Server
- NoSQL
- Oracle
ASP. NET, ASP.NET Core Framework
If you’re aiming for the web development focus, profound knowledge of ASP.Net and ASP.Net Core framework is essential. Both are popular web development frameworks for building web apps on the .NET platform.
These technologies allow developers to create fast, secure, and cloud-based web apps and services such as IoT applications and mobile backends.
MVC Pattern
Model View Controller is a design architecture that is widely used for creating web and mobile applications. This is a way of organizing code that involves separating blocks responsible for different tasks.
Thus, the Model block is responsible for the application data, while the View block is in charge of the facade. The third block – Controller – handles the operation of the application. Such a pattern allows developers to divide the code and make the whole development process easier.
Cloud Expertise
Proficiency in cloud technology is not something you should study from the very beginning. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can extend your know-how further to cloud vendors.
AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure are among the top cloud providers, thus being a frequent job requirement. Azure by Microsoft is especially important for .NET development since it often complements the .NET framework.
The Bottom Line
Net frameworks stay among the most desirable technologies in 2021, making dotnet career a viable job prospect. However, .Net development requires broad expertise rooted in the knowledge of programming languages, frameworks, and databases.
If you’re flirting with the idea of following this career path, start by narrowing down your choice. Web application development and cloud solutions are among the most popular dotnet niches in the market. The development focus will lay out your learning needs and specify the training resources.
Dariia Herasymova is a Recruitment Team Lead at Devox Software. She hires software development teams for startups, small businesses, and enterprises. She carries out a full cycle of recruitment; creates job descriptions based on talks with clients, searches and interviews candidates, and onboards the newcomers. Dariia knows how to build HR and recruitment processes from scratch. She strives to find a person with appropriate technical and soft skills who will share the company’s values. When she has free time, she writes articles on various outsourcing models for our blog.