Are you planning to develop websites and applications using the Microsoft Framework? Did you know that these frameworks are the top solution in Windows servers both on local networks and online? If you want to become a .NET developer, you will need to learn C#, F#, and VB.NET. These categories are not yet including the other .NET stacks, including Silverlight, WinForms, WPF, and ASP.NET. A .NET developer can be responsible for the design, implementation, analysis, and further development of software.
What Are the Required Skills to Become a .NET Developer?
To become a .NET developer, you have to acquire all the specialized skills required. Whether you are looking for an entry-level position or not, it is useful to know precisely which skills you should focus on first. In this article, you will see all the essential skills to become a competitive and modern .NET developer. Here are the points to keep in mind to become a .NET developer.
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NET MVC
ASP.NET MVC, also known as ASP.NET, is the most popular framework for building .NET websites and applications. This skill is one of the required skills to become a .NET developer. Model View Controller or MVC helps the developers to make fast, secure, and responsive web applications. It is one of the most accessible frameworks to use.
As of today, the ASP.NET framework is dominating the web market and is successfully replacing other frameworks. To become a competitive .NET developer, you must be well-versed with this skill. You can use the ASP.NET MVC in client-based web technologies and pair it using the server-side programming to complete a software solution. Aside from that, the ASP.NET MVC is also doing great in unit testing.
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SQL Skills
It is an undeniable fact that the database rules the technological world. Therefore, having an excellent SQL skill can help you become a .NET developer instantly. You must learn how to use and connect databases like Microsoft SQL Server or MySQL so you can easily maintain your data using .NET frameworks. When a developer is good at data science, it increases his chance or possibility to get a stable job as a .NET developer in a reputable organization. Additionally, you must also know how to emerge SQL with your application. The more you know about SQL, the better you work closely with its analysis, optimization, and administration.
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Databases
The Microsoft .NET framework supports several types of databases. The developer needs to be knowledgeable about them all. When a developer is knowledgeable about SQL databases, and at the same time, can deal with systems like Entity Framework, it is a huge plus to his portfolio. Therefore, it is one of the skills that most employers demand before hiring a .NET developer in their industry.
Moreover, if you have enough experience in handling databases, including Microsoft SQL and Oracle, you can get a particular preference. Nowadays, few contemporary apps use different NoSQL databases, including MongoDB or CouchDB. Having skills at one of these platforms can make you preferable by several employers.
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Understanding of OOP (object-Oriented Programming)
Object-oriented programming is a model that most developers use nowadays to organize their software design around objects and data rather than logic and functions. With OOP, you can define an object as a data field with unique behavior and attributes. OOP helps developers to manipulate objects which is suitable for large and complex programs that need to be maintained and updated every time. One of the Microsoft .NET frameworks that use OOP is VB.NET, C#, and ASP.NET.
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Client-side Web Development Technologies
To become a well-versed developer in the .NET framework, you must be aware of creating appealing, highly interactive, and creative web applications. This skill adds to an employer’s market value and helps users in many other ways. You must develop this skill thoroughly and add it to your portfolio. According to Robert Half Technology Guide, the client-side web development technologies add around seven percent of financial benefits to an employee’s initial salary package, which makes it one of the most sought-after .NET skills. Other recent technologies that you must include in this skill are HTML, jQuery, CSS, Bootstrap, and JavaScript. When you are competent with these aspects, it adds a huge part to your skills
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The More Experienced, the Better
If you are dreaming of becoming a highly proficient in Microsoft .NET framework, you must be willing to invest your time in it. You will need to focus on this framework for a few years to understand the processing and handling of this framework very well. This way, you can gain the required expertise. You can look for available opportunities and projects online where it involves programming using the .NET platform and conduct further research regarding the required process flow of the project. You will not have a hard time broadening your skills in Microsoft .NET framework since there are a wide variety of tutorials available online to help developers like you advance their skill set. Make sure to practice developing applications from scratch to finish. You must also know how to customize an app and integrate it with a variety of plug-ins and modules.
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Good communication Skills
In application development, you must possess excellent communication skills so you can communicate with your clients. A developer must be able to translate the process of his codes into a way that is understandable to everyone. This way, he can avoid any misunderstandings. It would be best if you practiced on how to be confident in explaining your project and standing your ground on some occasions, especially when clients are making unrealistic demands.
Not everyone understands how difficult programming is. They may ask you to do some new capabilities of the system without realizing the difficulty of what they are asking. It may lead to frustration. So, you must take your time to explain that it is not as simple as they think and provide an alternative and easier solution for everyone.
Moreover, you can also work effectively with your team when you have excellent communication skills. It can make your projects more fun and make people more likely to help you when you need assistance.
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Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer
MCSD stands for Microsoft Certified Solution, which is a globally recognized standard for .NET developer excellence. Microsoft offers several paths to achieve the MCSD status, depending on your chosen technology. As of today, there are several MCSD paths to choose from, including:
- Windows Store Apps
- Web Applications
- SharePoint Applications
- Azure Solutions Architect
- Application Lifecycle management
- Universal Windows Platform
If you want to achieve the MCSD status, you must pass three to four exams, depending on your chosen technology. According to Microsoft, MCSD benefits include Industry Recognition, a one-year subscription to Microsoft TechNet Plus, Microsoft Developer Network subscription, and more Microsoft-related items. Here are some of the other perks of getting certified as an MCSD:
- You will receive a certificate and get the privilege to use the MCSD Logo in your portfolio, blogs, and public forums.
- You will enjoy better pay and promotions
- You will have better visibility at your workplace
When you have MCSD status, you can get a stable job easier. If you want to start your own business, this certificate can also help you out. Customers will feel more confident to consider and purchase your services. When you become certified, you can stay updated. For instance, when there is a new release of VB.NET, you can take upgraded exams to remain certified with the latest products.
