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.

Coursera logo C cutout
[Featured Image] Young software programmers discuss the merits of GitLab vs. GitHub while looking at a computer screen in a workspace with plenty of windows.

GitLab vs. GitHub: Which to Choose?

While GitLab and GitHub offer similar capabilities for your development project, the two programs have unique features and use cases. Discover which version control program is right for your project below.

October 2, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Two software programmers engage in test-driven development as they sit in front of computer screens.

What Is Test-Driven Development?

Learn what test-driven development is, what the development cycle looks like, and how you can start learning this exciting skill.

October 2, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Four members of a DevOps team discuss their CI/CD pipeline and how to refine the team’s overall strategy.

What Is CI/CD?

CI/CD stands for continuous integration and continuous delivery or deployment. Discover why CI/CD is important for DevOps teams and how to start a career in this growing field.

October 1, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Young software programmers discuss the merits of GitLab vs. GitHub while looking at a computer screen in a workspace with plenty of windows.

GitLab vs. GitHub: Which to Choose?

While GitLab and GitHub offer similar capabilities for your development project, the two programs have unique features and use cases. Discover which version control program is right for your project below.

October 2, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Two software programmers engage in test-driven development as they sit in front of computer screens.

What Is Test-Driven Development?

Learn what test-driven development is, what the development cycle looks like, and how you can start learning this exciting skill.

October 2, 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
3.1K reviews

Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Microsoft

Skills you'll gain: Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), GitHub, C# (Programming Language), Secure Coding, HTML and CSS, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Figma (Design Software), Version Control, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Git (Version Control System), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Web Development, Web Design and Development, Debugging, Mockups, Authentications, Front-End Web Development, User Interface (UI), Programming Principles, User Interface (UI) Design

4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
77 reviews

Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

[Featured Image] After learning what is javascript used for, a young woman programmer sits at her desk in casual clothing, working on code on a computer in an office.

What Is JavaScript Used For?

JavaScript is a versatile tool that adds interactivity to web pages and creates animations, among other uses. Explore JavaScript in more detail, including how the programming language works and what you can do with it below.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Before working in video game development, two designers standing over their desks discussing character creation need to know what unity is.

What Is Unity?

Unity is a popular development platform for creating video games, animations, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) content. Discover how to use Unity to create video games and other content for gaming platforms and the internet.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] After learning about Unreal Engine, three video game designers used the game engine to build VR gaming software, which they are now testing in their offices.

What Is Unreal Engine?

Unreal Engine is a popular game engine used by game designers. Discover what Unreal Engine is and how to learn it, popular use cases, its pros and cons as a design program, and similar design programs that serve as alternatives.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] In an empty office, a woman programmer in a gray jacket sits at a desktop computer with two screens and works on code using Objective-C.

What Is the Objective-C Language?

If you’re interested in app design and development, one of the key languages you might choose to work in is Objective-C. Learn more about Objective-C, its benefits as a programming language, and some jobs requiring this expertise.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] An aspiring computer programmer studies TypeScript vs. JavaScript and the applications of each on a computer in a sunny room with other learners.

TypeScript vs. JavaScript: A Guide

JavaScript and TypeScript rank in the top ten popular programming languages. Discover some of the uses, advantages, disadvantages, commonalities, and differences of each to decide which language is right for you.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Two software developers discuss unit testing in front of a computer screen in an office setting with other colleagues in the background.

Unit Testing: What It Is and How It’s Done

Discover the ins and outs of unit testing, a part of a broader, more extensive software testing regimen that supports software efficacy and reliability.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A young programmer uses the Julia programming language as they work on code at two computers in a colorful, casual office setting.

The Julia Programming Language: Uses, Benefits, and Careers

The Julia programming language helps scientists and engineers run technical programs. Learn more about this free, open-source language and its importance while exploring Julia programming language jobs and other details.

September 27, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Two computer programmers discuss the abstraction layers they must implement within the program they are creating.

What Are Abstraction Layers?

Explore the importance of abstraction layers within computer programming and learn why this skill might be helpful for you as you pursue a career in software programming.

September 23, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A networking professional navigates the data link layer as she works on her computer in an office setting.

What Is a Data Link Layer?

Explore the role the data link layer plays in the OSI model, including its benefits and common functions, and how to start working with OSI systems.

September 4, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Four members of a DevOps team discuss their CI/CD pipeline and how to refine the team’s overall strategy.

What Is CI/CD?

CI/CD stands for continuous integration and continuous delivery or deployment. Discover why CI/CD is important for DevOps teams and how to start a career in this growing field.

October 1, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] After learning what is javascript used for, a young woman programmer sits at her desk in casual clothing, working on code on a computer in an office.

What Is JavaScript Used For?

JavaScript is a versatile tool that adds interactivity to web pages and creates animations, among other uses. Explore JavaScript in more detail, including how the programming language works and what you can do with it below.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Before working in video game development, two designers standing over their desks discussing character creation need to know what unity is.

What Is Unity?

Unity is a popular development platform for creating video games, animations, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) content. Discover how to use Unity to create video games and other content for gaming platforms and the internet.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] After learning about Unreal Engine, three video game designers used the game engine to build VR gaming software, which they are now testing in their offices.

What Is Unreal Engine?

Unreal Engine is a popular game engine used by game designers. Discover what Unreal Engine is and how to learn it, popular use cases, its pros and cons as a design program, and similar design programs that serve as alternatives.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] In an empty office, a woman programmer in a gray jacket sits at a desktop computer with two screens and works on code using Objective-C.

What Is the Objective-C Language?

If you’re interested in app design and development, one of the key languages you might choose to work in is Objective-C. Learn more about Objective-C, its benefits as a programming language, and some jobs requiring this expertise.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] An aspiring computer programmer studies TypeScript vs. JavaScript and the applications of each on a computer in a sunny room with other learners.

TypeScript vs. JavaScript: A Guide

JavaScript and TypeScript rank in the top ten popular programming languages. Discover some of the uses, advantages, disadvantages, commonalities, and differences of each to decide which language is right for you.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Two software developers discuss unit testing in front of a computer screen in an office setting with other colleagues in the background.

Unit Testing: What It Is and How It’s Done

Discover the ins and outs of unit testing, a part of a broader, more extensive software testing regimen that supports software efficacy and reliability.

September 30, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A young programmer uses the Julia programming language as they work on code at two computers in a colorful, casual office setting.

The Julia Programming Language: Uses, Benefits, and Careers

The Julia programming language helps scientists and engineers run technical programs. Learn more about this free, open-source language and its importance while exploring Julia programming language jobs and other details.

September 27, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] Two computer programmers discuss the abstraction layers they must implement within the program they are creating.

What Are Abstraction Layers?

Explore the importance of abstraction layers within computer programming and learn why this skill might be helpful for you as you pursue a career in software programming.

September 23, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A networking professional navigates the data link layer as she works on her computer in an office setting.

What Is a Data Link Layer?

Explore the role the data link layer plays in the OSI model, including its benefits and common functions, and how to start working with OSI systems.

September 4, 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)