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The 10 Best Coding Books Every Beginner Should Own

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The 10 Best Coding Books Every Beginner Should Own

Good books about programming

Working in the IT field is both promising and interesting. In particular, coding skills can help you build a successful career in technology. According to Indeed, the most in-demand skills in the job market are related to computer technology. Good books about programming provide concise and thorough information about hard skills.

A programmer's work can involve testing and ensuring the quality of websites and programs, creating mobile applications, computer games, or online services used worldwide. Whatever path you choose, you will need to know at least one popular programming language. This applies not only to developers but also to web designers, project managers, QA engineers, and others.

Coding experience is important even for team members who do not perform technical tasks. In any case, obtaining a relevant higher education is not mandatory. For many employers, a specialist's knowledge and practical skills are paramount. Both can be acquired through relevant online courses and must read programming books.

What a Beginner Programmer Needs to Know?

For a novice programmer, there are several key aspects that are important to know and understand to start a career in programming successfully. Let's look at the main ones:

  • Programming Basics

The syntax of a programming language, basic commands, and structures of the chosen programming language (e.g., Python, JavaScript, Java, C++).

  • Control Flow Structures

It is advisable to know how to use if, else if, and else for decision-making in code.

  • Functions and Modularity

A programmer should understand how to declare, call, and pass parameters to functions, and have knowledge of recursion and modularity.

  • Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)

This includes the basic concepts of OOP, such as classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, encapsulation, and abstraction.

  • Working with Data, Debugging, and Testing

Important skills include reading and writing files, and the ability to find and fix errors in code.

The best books for beginners programming provide all the necessary information. However, it's important to remember that reading alone is not enough. The most valuable thing is to apply the knowledge in practice. It's essential to be ready to constantly learn and improve your skills through various courses and marathons and to develop soft skills.

must read programming books

Top 10 Books on Programming Basics

In books and basic online courses, the most important topics are covered, which can be studied independently. These include an overview of the main programming languages, coding rules, working with the console, basics of networking, client-server architecture, features of creating programs with a graphical interface, basics of unit testing, principles of clean code, and more. 

The best books to learn code usually cover the basics and fundamental concepts needed to understand and write code. After familiarizing yourself with the theory, it will be easier for you to objectively determine what exactly in programming you would like to know more about and what you would like to link your career with.

  1. Beginning Python From Novice to Professional by Magnus Lie Hetland

The book starts with the basics of downloading Python to your computer and ends with an explanation of several Python data types, such as lists, dictionaries, tuples, and sets. Topics such as if statements and database integration with SQLite are also covered. The advantage is the presence of practical tasks in the book, which allows you to quickly consolidate the acquired knowledge.

  1. Python Crash Course by Eric Matthes

The world's most popular guide to the Python programming language, ideal for beginners in programming. It covers not only Python libraries and tools but also the processes of creating 2D games, interactive visualizations, and web applications.

  1. Eloquent JavaScript by Marijn Haverbeke

About one of the most popular programming languages, JavaScript. The author starts with the basics and gradually introduces the reader to complex topics. This book will be useful not only to beginners. Experienced programmers will also find a lot of useful information. It features simple explanations and interactive examples that are easy to remember.

  1. Automate the Boring Stuff with Python by Al Sweigart

A basics of programming book in Python. Suitable for developers who spend too much time on tasks. It describes automation functions such as searching for text in a file or multiple files, filling out online forms, downloading online content, encrypting files, etc. Each chapter ends with practical tasks.

  1. Cracking the Coding Interview. 189 Programming Questions and Solutions by Gayle Laakmann McDowell

The author shares proven strategies for solving algorithm questions, explains large data structures and key algorithms, and prepares for interviews. An interesting part for readers is the description of the developer hiring process at companies like Google and Facebook. The author is a software engineer who has experience both as a candidate and as an interviewer hiring other software engineers.

  1. Code Complete: A Practical Handbook of Software Construction by Steve McConnell

Considered one of the TOP programming books. It helps beginners master the profession and experienced developers write higher-quality software. The author describes techniques that help foster creativity during design, apply defensive programming techniques, eliminate and prevent errors, choose and use construction practices, and overall improve work results at any stage.

  1. Code Simplicity: The Fundamentals of Software by Max Kanat-Alexander

It describes the fundamental laws of software design and key principles for maintaining software systems. The book is universal, regardless of software, programming language, or platform. It is most useful for beginners. Without this guide, it may take years to learn how to avoid typical mistakes, but with it, development principles can be learned much faster. It is undoubtedly one of the essential programming books.

  1. Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship by Robert C. Martin

The first part describes principles, patterns, and practices for writing clean code. The second section covers thematic studies of increasing complexity, including exercises to improve problematic code. The third chapter discusses discoveries made during case studies. The author explains how to distinguish good code from bad and how to turn any code into quality, readable code, and how to implement complete error handling without breaking code logic. Another important part covers unit testing and test-driven development. Although you won't read all computer books, this one is definitely worth your time.

  1. Introduction to Algorithms by Thomas H. Cormen

This textbook combines comprehensive material with mathematical rigor. It includes information on VEB trees, multithreaded algorithms, and dynamic programming. Each chapter can be studied separately. Algorithms are described in English and pseudocode, so if you are somewhat familiar with programming, you can compare descriptions and draw your conclusions. The first edition was used as a textbook in many higher education institutions. The updated version includes materials on multithreaded algorithms, recurrence, matrices, detailed and modern explanations of dynamic programming, and flow networks. Like other popular programming books, this edition contains many practical tasks.

  1. Head First Java by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates

The book stands out with colorful descriptions, puzzles, and interviews. It is not a typical classic guide; instead, the texts are easy to read and remember. It includes a full introduction to object-oriented programming and the Java language.

The above books programmers should read will also be interesting and useful for software engineers, project managers, team leaders, and system analysts. Most old programming books are periodically republished. Updated editions take into account changes in programming languages and their usage practices, so you can rest assured about the relevance of theoretical material if the computer language books are popular and updated.

It is not necessary to read every chapter of a guide. You can choose what is relevant for you at a given moment and return to the theory from time to time. It is much more important to hurry with applying the acquired knowledge. Avoid diving into books without practice. You can read while developing professionally in courses or at your first job.

Old programming books are classics that provide valuable historical context and explain how certain methods and tools were created. Do not overlook them, but always check the relevance of theoretical material and communicate with senior colleagues and mentors who can always help if you are taking an online course or interning at a company.

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Is Quality Assurance a Good Career?

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Is Quality Assurance a Good Career?

job vacancies in quality assurance

Quality assurance (QA) specialists write scripts to test code, perform manual and automated tests, and generally bring the digital product's parameters closer to the ideal standards of the organization and the target market. Depending on their specific specialization and position, QA professionals test and improve the product at various stages of development. For example, they might interact with the product as consumers to determine if all features work as intended, if the interface is fast and user-friendly, and so on.

A separate person or a QA team can be responsible for quality assurance. Here are the most popular job vacancies in quality assurance and their features.

  • Quality Assurance Tester

QA testers check products for defects. They don't just find bugs but also suggest solutions. They are responsible for the quality of computer programs, mobile apps, online services, video games, websites, and more. Unlike quality control testers, QA testers check the product at various development stages, not just before release. Manual testing involves practical software testing to find bugs when automated testing is unavailable or impractical.

  • Quality Assurance Auditor

The main responsibilities include setting parameters for product testing, monitoring processes handled by quality control managers, testers, and engineers, and ensuring the company's quality control criteria meet state regulations.

  • Quality Assurance Manager

QA managers establish internal quality control standards and coordinate the work of all specialists involved in product testing. They often communicate with end consumers, and their feedback helps improve the software solution.

  • Quality Assurance Analyst

QA analysts test and evaluate products to meet organizational standards, helping achieve project goals.

  • Quality Assurance Engineer

QA engineers develop tests to study development processes. They collaborate with developers at all stages of product creation, systematizing quality control testing. Engineers may prepare documentation that serves as instructions for other team members.

Quality assurance engineering plays a key role in the product development lifecycle. QA specialists can specialize in different areas, with varying skills and tools depending on the company and specific duties.

There are several types of QA engineers. For example, automation quality control engineers develop scripts and frameworks to optimize the testing process, requiring coding skills and knowledge of Agile and DevOps. Performance quality control engineers ensure the reliability, scalability, and responsiveness of products like e-commerce platforms and enterprise software.

Security quality control engineers find vulnerabilities in products to prevent damage or data leaks from attacks. Their duties include security audits, risk assessments, and penetration testing.

QA analysts ensure testing aligns with business goals and that the company-approved quality criteria are met. Mobile QA engineers specialize in testing and improving smartphone apps, requiring knowledge of touch interfaces, battery use, different operating systems, screen sizes, and configurations.

Career Path for QA Testers and Engineers

A QA tester is the starting point in quality assurance. The tester career path might look like this:

  1. Junior QA Tester
  2. Software Tester
  3. Test Analyst
  4. Test Manager

With each step, salaries increase, averaging from $64,434 per year for a junior specialist to $90,333 for a test manager.

QA engineers often start as junior QA analysts, moving to QA Engineer and taking on increasingly complex testing and automation tasks. With good performance, they can advance to Senior QA Engineer, responsible for leading testing and mentoring junior specialists. Higher positions include QA Lead or Manager and Director of Quality Control or Vice President of Quality in large companies. This path allows a transition from technical testing to strategic management.

To choose a career path, consider your current skills—technical or soft.

Technical skills are abilities you can learn and develop, like creating test documentation or coding in a specific programming language. If you excel in technical skills, consider becoming a developer, as a deep understanding of IT processes will help you learn programming. You could also specialize in usability testing or focus on test automation.

Soft skills relate to your temperament and personality traits but can also be developed. These might include teamwork or time management skills. If you have strong soft skills and enjoy working in a team and leading, try being a project manager or test lead. QA specialists often form their views on product functionality and demonstrate analytical thinking, making a transition to a business analyst role a good option. This role involves communicating with the team and consumers to improve products.

Features of a Career in Software Testing

Work in the scope of software testing can be remote but usually requires a mix of independent and team work. Companies use online services like Trello or Asana for this.

QA specialists typically work full-time, often with extra tasks requiring additional hours, especially before a product release. Quality assurance work is intellectually challenging and can be monotonous at times due to repetitive tests and scenarios and constant documentation. However, the satisfaction of creating a flawless product outweighs the downsides, and the job is well-paid.

Even small bugs can lead to significant product flaws. If defects are found after a product's market release, the developer company can face substantial financial and reputational losses. Hence, responsibility is a key characteristic of a QA career.

Other important skills of software tester, engineers, or managers involved in quality assurance include the willingness to learn continuously, solving problems creatively, and effectively communicating with colleagues.

if a good education guarantees a successful career

Why is a QA Tester and Quality Control Engineer Career Good?

The prospects for QA professionals are excellent due to several factors.

  • Software is becoming more complex. 

A serious bug can cost a company a lot of money. With high competition, organizations must involve QA professionals throughout the software development lifecycle to remain viable.

  • Artificial intelligence performs many tasks but makes mistakes. 

AI is increasingly used for coding and other tasks, but it still makes errors. Hence, a person is needed to ensure the quality of AI's work. The human factor remains crucial in many areas.

  • Growing need for software in robotics. 

AI programs must be error-free, as one defect can break the entire system.

A career objective for software quality assurance offers opportunities to work in various IT-related fields and contribute to creating products that meet the highest quality standards. Employment in this field is expected to grow by 25% by 2032.

Currently, there are thousands of QA engineer vacancies in the US on Indeed. Glassdoor lists over 31,000 QA jobs in the United States.

Testing and quality control engineering is in high demand and is expected to grow. This field is ideal for entering the tech industry, and over time, you can shift your work direction in IT while already having the necessary skills and experience. Many wonder if a good education guarantees a successful career. For QA, a bachelor's degree is important but not mandatory. Specialized courses and practice are often enough.

What is a good career goal: an example

A good career goal is a desired outcome you plan to achieve in your professional life. Examples of such goals include becoming an expert in a particular field, building a personal brand, starting a business, helping a company reach a new level, getting a promotion, or earning a certification.

Why choose a career in quality assurance?

A career in quality assurance offers many opportunities for specialists. The number of job openings in large companies is constantly growing, as well as the salary size. For example, the average monthly salary in the USA is about $9,000.

When is the best time to change careers?

There is no one best age for everyone to change careers. Psychologists recommend changing jobs every 5-7 years, but this could be a shift within the same company or a complete industry change. On average, a person changes their profession about three times in their lifetime.

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How to start a career in cybersecurity?

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How to start a career in cybersecurity?

cybersecurity learning resources

A cybersecurity specialist is responsible for protecting information systems from hackers, viruses, cyberattacks, and other threats. If you lack experience but have a strong desire to build your career in this field, you can start as a junior network security analyst. In the future, you will be able to choose from various positions related to cybersecurity, such as information security analyst, security manager, risk assessment manager, IT auditor, or cryptographer.

The demand for people well-versed in IT security is constantly growing, leading to an increase in job openings in companies of various levels. Often, the work is remote, and it almost always involves significant responsibility and the need for continuous learning and development.

How to Start a Career in IT Security Without Formal Education?

Starting a career in IT security can vary depending on your opportunities and preferences. If obtaining a good education is a priority for you, it makes sense to pursue an official bachelor's or master's degree in cybersecurity.

Let's consider other ways to develop a career in IT security without specialized higher education.

  • Online Courses and Certifications

It's advisable to take several certification courses to learn about different aspects of cybersecurity. Some examples of good certification courses include CISSP, Security+, CEH, and CISM. You can also take the Microsoft Technology Associate Security Fundamentals exam or obtain the introductory certificate from the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (CSX Cybersecurity Fundamentals).

Popular certifications include EC-Council's Network Security Administrator, Cisco Certified Network Associate (Routing and Switching), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and CompTIA Security+. These industry certifications make a specialist's resume more attractive to employers.

  • Self-Education in Other Formats

If you understand what is a career in cyber security like, you are likely ready to learn a lot on your own. For beginners, thematic online resources for self-study and skill improvement are helpful. Books, online articles, and industry publications will enrich your professional vocabulary, introduce you to interesting cases, and help you understand which area of IT security interests you most. You will also stay updated on industry events.

Participating in industry conferences and other events, and networking with colleagues, can help you find your first projects and seek advice from more experienced specialists if needed.

  • Freelancing

Starting a career with practical work might feel like a leap into the unknown. However, while you are doing simple and low-paid, or even free, tasks, your portfolio will grow with new achievements. In any digital technology field, practical experience cannot be matched by theoretical training.

It's advisable to register on reputable freelance platforms and join professional communities as soon as you master the basics and can work a few hours a day. For example, you can find jobs that match your experience on Upwork.

  • Internships in Companies

If you want to showcase relevant work experience to your dream employer, consider early internships in college or small companies. After completing online courses, you can obtain positions such as network administrator, security administrator, or system administrator. This will not only enhance your resume but also help you build valuable connections, find future clients, or partners.

Many educational institutions offer additional specializations related to digital data security. This allows students to gain specialized knowledge and skills. Often, these programs include coursework in digital and computer forensics, database development and administration, and even cryptology.

What Kind of Skills Do You Need to Master?

Learning cybersecurity is not just about gaining knowledge. Getting the basics right is crucial, and memorizing complex theory can be challenging. However, if you have the aptitude and a strong desire, you can develop the necessary technical skills in a relatively short time.

  • Working with the network and controlling network security

A beginner must first learn the basics of data communication. Then, they can familiarize themselves with network protection methods. Preventing unauthorized access ensures that company or individual user confidential information is not read by attackers. Network security control prevents hackers from harming information systems. Many solutions exist for this process, including firewalls and virtual private networks (VPNs).

  • Cloud Security

Many organizations build their networks using cloud or hybrid platforms. Understanding these systems and the ability to protect web servers is crucial for cybersecurity professionals. You may need a CompTIA Cloud+ or Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certificate.

  • Mobile Device Management

This involves managing access for laptops, smartphones, tablets, and other gadgets to the computer network. It can include certain policies or software solutions combined into an MDM protocol.

  • SIEM Management

Security Information and Event Management includes comprehensive solutions like Microsoft Sentinel.

  • Intrusion Detection

This is comparable to a car alarm, alerting the car owner of a criminal breaking into the vehicle. Whenever an unauthorized user gains access to a computer network, the cybersecurity system notifies about it. This is achieved using specific software.

  • Penetration Testing

Conducted by ethical hackers, also known as confidence validators. Specialists understand hackers' thinking and methods well and test their strategies on company systems to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen them.

  • Digital Forensics

This field is more about restoring the system after a cybercrime incident.

  • Coding

Knowing the basics of programming languages such as Python, Java, and C++ is sufficient.

For a successful career in cybersecurity, you should possess soft skills such as attention to detail, critical thinking, risk management, and communication. The latter will enable you not only to complete tasks but also to manage a team and oversee projects.

So, is cybersecurity difficult to learn depends on your inclinations and ability to acquire the necessary skills.

starting a career in it security

In Which Industries Can a Cybersecurity Specialist Find a Job?

While studying to become a cybersecurity specialist, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the job market in this field. Certain industries highly demand your new knowledge and skills, offering many job openings, interesting tasks, and decent pay.

1. Banking and finance

Banking and financial organizations have a great interest in securing their clients' data and assets. The increasing volume of online operations is making multi functional authentication systems and additional layers of safety crucial.

2. Government

There are many opportunities, especially for beginners, since payment from government agencies is typically lower than from private organizations. However, the need for data protection is high. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) hires specialists.

3. Healthcare

In this field, the uninterrupted and accurate operation of software can affect people's lives and health. Protecting personal data is also critical. Medical organizations constantly strive to enhance cybersecurity standards and hire corresponding specialists.

4. Technology and Business

Cyber risks for technology organizations include intellectual property theft, social media hacks, confidentiality breaches on internet devices, portal disruptions for online payments, and more. Any business using certain applications is vulnerable to cyberattacks. E-commerce attracts cybercriminals because this field often involves stealing personal information and credit card data. Cybersecurity prevents phishing and protects sites with firewalls, payment gateways, and antivirus programs.

An increasing number of large companies prefer to employ in-house IT security experts. This allows them to regularly test and improve their security systems without waiting for breaches to occur. If you would like to try your hand in this promising field, choose reliable cybersecurity learning resources and don't postpone your courses. Mastering a new profession can take little time if you are ready for intensive self-education.

How long does it take to learn cybersecurity?

If you decide to become a cybersecurity specialist after obtaining specialized education, it will take you 4 years for a bachelor's degree and 2 years for a master's degree. Self-education can take as little as 6 months. For this, you need to find suitable courses and practice extensively.

How to learn cybersecurity for beginners?

To learn the basics of cybersecurity, you need to engage in intensive self-education. You can obtain a Google Cybersecurity Certificate, complete courses like CISSP, Security+, CEH, or CISM, among others. It is also worth looking for free courses and additional materials.

Which industries need cybersecurity the most?

Industries such as banking and finance, healthcare, commerce, and business have the highest demand for cybersecurity specialists. The profession is also in high demand among government organizations and agencies.

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What is the Difference Between SDET and QA?

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What is the Difference Between SDET and QA?

What is the Difference Between SDET and QA

SDET engineers (Software Development Engineer in Test) are involved in designing, developing, and maintaining automated test scripts and frameworks. Their involvement in the project begins at the planning stage, and throughout the product development period, they are responsible for its verification, improvement, and test automation. On the other side, the main function of QA experts is to provide a quality guarantee for applications, software, or other digital products. They ensure that the products meet the expectations of the market and the target audience, focusing on functionality, user safety, and usability. Let's consider the differences between SDET and QA in more detail.

  • QA testers often participate in checking and improving the product at the final stage of its creation, directly before its release. In contrast, SDET engineers are involved continuously, starting from the project's early days. They not only test but also automate, design, and develop.
  • QA testers may work either automated or manually. In the former case, understanding coding is necessary, linking them with SDET engineers. However, knowledge of programming languages is not necessary for manual testing.
  • SDET work is creative, as they are partially developers. QA testers do not create anything; their task is to evaluate the finished product and fix any detected issues.
  • Mostly, QA testers perform minor tasks related to testing digital products. SDET engineers play a critical position and are more actively involved in the company's process of development.

At the same time, they share many common features—programming language proficiency, automation and testing skills, data management, etc. All SDET specialists perform certain QA functions, but not all QA testers are SDET engineers. The concept of Software Development Engineer in Test is much broader, while QA tasks may be somewhat superficial and general. SDET engineers bear greater responsibility, particularly for code stability and reliability. 

Tasks of SDET engineers and QA engineers 

SDET engineers perform tasks related to creating high-performance code. This is done in partnership with developers, product specialists, and testers. Among the most common tasks of SDET, the following can be highlighted.

  • Writing automated test scripts.
  • Creation of concepts of databases for the development of user screens.
  • Development of advanced scenarios for testing automation.
  • Creating functional and acceptance cases.
  • Analyzing the performance of test scenarios, planning or implementing the required improvements.
  • Fixing test cases, results, and frameworks.
  • Configuring automation frameworks and tools.

Meanwhile, QA engineers control product quality. They also work in teams, coordinating their actions and decisions with developers and reporting to them. Here are some key responsibilities of software quality engineers:

  • planning the testing process considering its budget and schedule;
  • functional testing in conformity with defined protocols;
  • writing code for automated tests;
  • testing the efficiency, compliance and accuracy of the product in extreme conditions;
  • end-to-end system testing;
  • if necessary, checking the correctness of software operation on mobile devices;
  • interface evaluation, product feature analysis from a user perspective;
  • security testing, including preventing user data leaks;
  • finding functional errors in digital products before releasing them to the market.

Compared to QA testers, the duties, and consequently, the knowledge and skills of SDET engineers are more universal and in-depth. The emergence of automation in testing has led companies to more frequently seek SDET specialists, and their work is more highly paid. It's good news for software testers—transitioning from one specialty to another can be quite simple and quick. 

How to become an SDET engineer?

There are two most common starting points for becoming an SDET engineer—experience in software development and qualifications in QA testing. In the former case, you'll know how to code, which is already half the battle. You'll be able to automate manually written cases and, under the guidance of a QA tester, eventually tackle more complex tasks.

If you have a good understanding of software testing, have obtained a certificate in this field, or completed relevant training in a company, transitioning into the SDET field will be easier than for a developer. This requires learning one programming language, which can be done in a matter of months.

Once you learn how to create automated code, try writing scripts for websites and applications. This way, you can develop in SDET engineering and land a prestigious position. However, some companies have strict requirements for candidates for SDET positions, and practical skills alone may not be enough here.

  •  Education

For some organizations, a high school diploma may be sufficient. But most jobs require a bachelor's degree in computer science, informatics, or a related area. In some cases, a master's degree in computer science or other related field may be helpful.

  • Certification

Usually, certification is not mandatory. But it can make your resume stand out by underlining your specialties. To do this, you should take specialized online courses that will certify you as a software development engineer in the testing field. You can also validate your qualifications with other certificates, such as QA from the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

  •  Professional Experience

For many employers, the most important criterion for selecting specialists is experience. Your portfolio, especially cases with feedback, is compelling evidence that you have the necessary knowledge and skills. Experience as a junior developer or QA tester will be helpful, as it demonstrates your understanding of a particular programming language, testing types, etc. 

SDET and QA

SDET Engineer Skills 

Like in any profession related to programming, a future specialist must master certain technical skills. Hard skills include programming skills, including working with programming languages like Java, Python, HTML, etc., working with QA tools, including understanding basic software testing models, and the ability to analyze databases, manage risks in the code verification process, and quality control results.

Basic soft skills include excellent written and oral communication skills, teamwork, deductive reasoning, the ability to quickly and efficiently solve problems, including non-standard ways, project management, time management, and self-development combined with adaptability. The latter is related to the volatility of technologies and the need to regularly learn to work with new tools and methods.

SDET stands for «Software Development Engineer in Test». The specialty is quite in demand in the modern job market. It is more highly paid than the job of a QA specialist, but it also comes with higher responsibilities and requirements for the employee. SDET engineers often engage in writing software code, but their main duties are based on test automation.

Unlike QA testers, they not only test but also design and develop software, configure automation frameworks, and tools. They participate in the digital product creation process at all stages, from planning to final testing. At the same time, QA testers evaluate the product in terms of standard requirements and user needs.

A QA specialist, like a software developer, can expand the range of their technical skills and transition into the SDET field. These experts focus on creating, controlling, and maintaining automated testing.

Is SDET better than QA?

The SDET field is broader than QA. Therefore, it is easier for SDET engineers to find high-paying jobs. However, without understanding QA, it is impossible to become an SDET professional. Specializations share many similarities, such as the need for programming language proficiency, automation and testing skills, data management, etc.

What is the difference between SDET and tester?

SDET specialists are involved in software development. QA testers use various testing tools to identify functional errors in programs, applications, and other digital products. They create scenarios for fixing these flaws and coordinate with SDET staff, who can then carry out high-quality control tasks.

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What degree needed for QA

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What Degree Needed for QA

According to Zippia, over 60% of QA testers have a bachelor's degree, 16% are master's degree holders, and 10% are associate degree holders. Future professionals study computer science, programming, information technology, or business. However, to start a career as a QA tester, it is not necessary to have higher education. Sometimes completing specialized courses and acquiring the necessary skills for work is sufficient.

Practical experience and certifications are the most significant advantages of candidates, which should be emphasized in the resume. For example, beginners in testing may find courses like Google's IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate, or DevOps from the University of Virginia suitable.

The International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) offers related certifications such as Test Analyst, Test Manager, Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL), Agile Tester, AI Testing, Game Testing, and others.

Advancing in the QA testing market without specialized higher education can be done through freelance platforms like Upwork or LinkedIn. It's important that the online course program you choose includes practical assignments or participation in real projects. While this may involve working for free, it's the best way to demonstrate your knowledge and solidify important skills.

Deep understanding of testing automation tools, its models, and programming languages can be obtained through courses on platforms like Coursera and Udemy.

An interesting and accessible way to gain experience is by participating in open-source projects, such as GitHub. Many beginners practice on personal projects, including creating their own testing tools or frameworks. It's great if you can work with experienced mentors and ask them questions while completing practical tasks.

What Skills Does a QA Tester Need?

QA testers must possess certain soft skills.

  • Attention to Detail. Testing a digital product requires focus and ignoring distractions. Only disciplined and attentive specialists can effectively identify even the smallest flaws in the development process.
  • Listening and Communication Skills. Testers often receive detailed but not always simple instructions from project managers. They must understand and remember all the guidelines.
  • Teamwork. This skill is related to the previous one but refers to productive interaction with colleagues, the ability to calmly and clearly point out mistakes, and active participation in discussions.
  • Problem-Solving Skills. Testers should not only identify flaws in the product but also determine the root causes of these errors and develop ways to resolve them — both independently and in collaboration with engineers, etc.
  • Deductive Reasoning. Deduction involves finding answers to questions in facts and evidence. This type of thinking is predominant for testers and in the technology field in general.
  • Time Management. The schedule of any IT professional is flexible and unpredictable. Urgent tasks may arise, and you must be prepared for them. The product's release dates depend on how responsibly the tester meets deadlines, making the ability to plan your time and break down big tasks into smaller stages very valuable.

Certain technical skills are also essential for a tester, primarily testing automation and database testing. The former involves creating and using automated test scripts, while the latter involves checking database systems for integrity and performance.

What Degree Needed for QA

How Much Does a QA Tester Earn?

Of course, a tester's salary depends on the professional's experience and sometimes the scale and geographic location of the company. If you want to test software or popular mobile applications, the chances of receiving a high salary are quite significant.

According to Glassdoor, the average pay for quality assurance software testers in the United States is around $72,662 per year — including bonuses, profit-sharing, and other additional earnings. Pleasant perks include benefits such as health insurance, paid leave, visa sponsorship, retirement packages, etc. The advantage is the possibility of remote work and various referral programs.

In conclusion, most major clients prefer QA testers with a bachelor's degree in engineering or computer science. However, you still have a chance to get high-paying projects if you complete specialized courses and obtain a certificate. Remember that some companies conduct interviews and offer technical tests to select candidates. It's there where you can demonstrate your technical skills and soft skills.

What degree needed for QA

According to Zippia, over 60% of QA testers have a bachelor's degree, 16% are master's degree holders, and 10% are associate degree holders.

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What do you need to be a QA?

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What Do You Need to Be a QA

QA testers ensure the quality of software, web resources, mobile applications, computer games, and other digital products. These professionals engage in checking their functionality and usability directly in the development process. This allows for error correction and defect resolution without requiring much time. Therefore, the role of a tester in a company is very important, and many young specialists choose this profession.

A professional should be familiar with various types of testing and understand the basics of coding. You can learn several programming languages, primarily Java, C#, Python, HTML, JavaScript, and others. This will greatly facilitate communication with programmers and allow for maintaining automated test scripts.

The next requirement is understanding the basic models of software testing

  • Waterfall: a classic model where each phase of the development life cycle begins after the completion of the previous one. It includes techno-economic justification, requirement analysis and specification, design, coding and unit testing, integration and system testing, and, finally, maintenance.
  • Iterative Development: a popular model of iterative development where the sequence is more cyclical. It includes stages such as planning and requirement definition, analysis and design, implementation, testing, and evaluation.
  • Agile: focuses testers' attention on what is important to the user. The work is divided into short segments, and optimal strategies are sought to achieve different task goals.
  • Extreme Programming: an Agile iteration where, like in the previous case, the focus is on customer value. Here, there are rarely sequential stages with deadlines, and testing usually starts in the early stages of development. The goal is to release a perfect product as early as possible.

Tools and Methodologies for QA Testers

In addition to testing models, it is important for QA testers to have the ability to work with relevant programs. These include frameworks for product verification automation, including Appium, GitLab, Bamboo, QMetry, Robot Framework, Bitbucket, JUnit, and others. They include coding standards, test data handling methods, object repositories, testing result storage processes, and information on accessing external resources.

Special mention should be made of bug tracking tools. These can be free open-source applications or paid bug tracking and registration tools for subsequent resolution. These include Zoho, Bugzilla, Redmine, FogBugz, YouTrack, HP ALM, JIRA, Mantis, Trac, BugNET, Backlog, and others.

Certain practices and methodologies have been formed and established in the field of QA testing, which specialists use. Let's consider the two most popular approaches to software development and their analysis.

What Do You Need to Be a QA 2

Popular approaches to software development what do QA need to know

  1. Agile: a methodology where developers divide the project into «sprints» or small components. These parts are easier to test, adapting to changes. This approach is very convenient as it is based on teamwork between testers and developers.
  2. DevOps: a practice that emerged from the combination of software development and IT operations. The goal is to automate and improve the development process. Testing is intertwined with various stages of development.

To become a QA tester without formal education, you need to take specialized online courses, for example, on the Coursera platform. You can obtain IT certificates from the Software Testing Association, Quality Assurance Society, or International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB).

Participation in professional workshops, webinars, and communities, especially on LinkedIn, internships in companies, and communication with experienced developers and testers — all of this will be a great advantage at the beginning of your career and will contribute to professional development.

Therefore, to become a QA tester, it is worth familiarizing yourself with Agile frameworks and DevOps practices, mastering basic testing models, and taking part in specialized events at the first opportunity.

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Who is a Cybersecurity Technician?

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Who is a Cybersecurity Technician?

Who is a Cybersecurity Technician 1

Cybersecurity technicians are professionals who protect computer programs, systems, and networks from cybercriminals. The latter unlawfully use information technology to obtain passwords, violate copyrights, steal valuable materials, steal credit card data, bank accounts, and commit other crimes on the Internet.

Experts who counteract such criminal actions are also called cybersecurity engineers. They develop and implement various network solutions to secure data from hackers.

What are the Responsibilities of a Cybersecurity Technician?

  • Testing programs, applications, and services for penetration, i.e., identifying threats and vulnerabilities.
  • Installation, configuration, and maintenance of networks.
  • Creating data protection strategies and updating a set of measures to prevent breaches.
  • Fixing security-related network errors.

To respond more quickly and effectively to new weaknesses in products and networks, cybersecurity engineers work in teams with other IT specialists, improving computer codes, etc.

What Skills Should a Cybersecurity Technician Have?

Among the technical, «hard» skills, coding, understanding the specifics of different operating systems, and the ability to work with them and detect intrusions should be mentioned first. Additionally, for all technical fields, mathematical skills play a crucial role, namely understanding linear algebra, cryptography, and other mathematical concepts.

Regardless of whether you work as an employee in a large company or freelance, you will need a set of «soft» skills.

  • Teamwork. When working on serious projects, the ability to actively listen and make joint decisions is important.
  • Problem-Solving. This skill is fundamental for engineers working in the IT field. You'll have to choose the optimal way to complete tasks from several options and develop and implement ideas to avoid the same problems in the future.
  • Analytical Thinking. Cybersecurity technicians need to collect, summarize, and analyze various data. Analysis is necessary during network breach investigations, security audits, and assessing the likelihood of new risks.
  • Creative Thinking. Despite being a purely technical specialization, cybersecurity technicians can apply creativity to solve problems in non-obvious or completely innovative ways. Thanks to the engineer's creativity, a company can constantly generate new ideas regarding network or product protection against cyberattacks.

The position of a cybersecurity technician is often combined with other IT specializations. Therefore, the more technical and soft skills you have, the higher your chances of getting a prestigious job in a specialized company.

How to Become a Cybersecurity Technician?

First, determine the area of activity, as there are several in cybersecurity. This could be risks and compliance, data leakage prevention, architecture, incident response, etc. Depending on the field, choose a training program at a higher education institution or certified courses.

One of the best ways to start your career is to go to university and earn a bachelor's degree. In addition to cybersecurity, you can study information security or any other related field. Students usually study computer engineering, network communications, and social network infrastructure. To find yourself in cyber terrorism, cryptology, identity technologies, or other unique fields of cybersecurity, aim for a master's degree.

Obtaining a diploma is not the final stage of preparation for participation in interesting and highly paid projects. It's great if you can complete an accredited program and get a certificate that will confirm your knowledge, skills, and competencies for employers. We advise you to try your hand at an internship at the company. This will allow you to work on real tasks for the first time.

It is the cybersecurity engineer who maintains the various online systems and ensures that they are resistant to new threats. The competence and integrity of a specialist are very important for any organization. To keep track of potential risks, the technician must constantly test systems and ensure that protective measures are updated.

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How to Start a Career in QA Testing?

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How to Start a Career in QA Testing

Start a Career in QA

A QA tester is a specialist responsible for ensuring the quality of computer programs, video games, websites, and various digital products. Unlike a quality control tester, a quality assurance tester identifies flaws during the product development stage rather than after its release to the market. They track the causes of errors and report them to the relevant team members who can fix them.

QA testers check software using manual methods. However, specialists also use automated testing methods to save time on tasks.

They can attempt to hack the system, generate an error, and all this so that the end user does not face a similar problem in the future.

Roles of a Quality Assurance Tester

The role of a QA tester depends on the company and the actual project they are working on. The tester develops a project plan, sets quality standards, and determines the method of work manual, machine, or mixed. It is much simpler to fix errors at the beginning or in the middle of development than after the software is finished.

Other responsibilities of a quality assurance tester include:

  • Identify system boundaries and test software functionality.
  • Identifying functional errors in digital products before their release.
  • Writing code for automated tests.
  • Researching new testing processes and technologies to enhance effectiveness.
  • Reviewing user interfaces and feedback, analyzing product features.
  • Work with QA engineers to create effective test plans and implementation strategies.

Thus, the job of a QA tester is to work with developers to evaluate risks, identify gaps in the functionality of the product, and eliminate them during the development period.

Start a Career in QA Testing

Which type of QA testing is best?

There are various types of testing. Not all of them are necessary for every project, but a qualified QA tester ideally should be proficient in these methods.

  • Unit Testing Breaking the product into small, unique parts called modules to simplify testing.
  • Performance analysis Evaluation of product performance using different software loads.
  • Performance testing evaluates the concurrent operation of different parts of the program code.
  • Load Testing Evaluating the correctness of the product's operation under extreme conditions.
  • Functional Testing Ensuring the functionality of elements in software meets defined standards.
  • System Testing Comprehensive evaluation of functionality to understand how the product works in real conditions.
  • Usability Testing Evaluating user convenience and the correctness of task execution.
  • Mobile Testing Ensuring product usability on mobile devices by considering screen size, memory usage, battery consumption, and the likelihood of receiving a phone call while using the mobile application.

Security Testing and Regression Testing Essential final stages involve verifying product behavior after changes to prevent new defects after improvements.

What to Master for a QA Tester?

First and foremost, a QA tester is responsible for adhering to standards. QA is the «middleman» between developers and users.

So, to summarize. To become a quality assurance tester, you must have a specialized technical education — this is the first option. The next option is to complete special training courses in testing, which will lead you to the profession faster. Get ready to practice and hone your skills during your entire professional life, since everything in IT is changing at a rapid speed.

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