Software development takes more than just memorising commands and syntax. During a comprehensive program of software development training, students gain perspective on the entire software life cycle, learn methods to create effective algorithms and study best practises such as version control, debugging, unit testing and profiling.

The specific details of software development training programs can vary based on the type of software the student is learning to develop. Applications software development courses may focus on issues of cross-platform compatibility and Web deployment, while systems software training might contain material about assembly language and enterprise networking protocols.

The best candidates for software development training are usually detail-oriented people with strong problem-solving skills. A tendency toward analytical thinking and the capacity for concentration on multiple simultaneous tasks can also be significant advantages.

In the workplace, the ability to communicate effectively with fellow IT workers as well as nontechnical staff personnel can help professionals use their software development training to its fullest potential.