13 Skills for Coding, Best Practices, and Capabilities for Plugin Developers

Acquiring a skill and working on it requires time, effort, and dedication. Coding is one such skill that is in high demand these days. Every day, numerous plugins and themes are being added to the WordPress collection. Can you guess the number?

59,000+ WordPress plugins and 5,000 themes are currently on the WordPress repository

This highlights the platform’s competitiveness. Therefore, WordPress plugin or theme developers should focus on developing diverse skill sets and capabilities, which will eventually pay off in the long run.

Not a problem at all! We are here to assist you with improving your coding skills and capabilities. This guide is designed to help both beginners and professionals in their journey of becoming a WordPress plugin developer and boost their careers.

But before we move ahead, let’s learn:

What makes developers capable?

Before we explain the capabilities of a developer, let’s shed light on the statistics.

According to Statista, the worldwide population of software developers is expected to reach 28.7 million by the end of 2024. This is a straight rise of 3.2 million in 4 years.

It signifies that software development is highly demanding from today’s perspective. But from a competitive point of view, developers need a comprehensive skillset that combines technical expertise with strong personal qualities.

On the technical side, they need to be proficient in at least one programming language, and often several, depending on their area of specialization.

For example, web developers will need to be familiar with basic languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, while mobile app developers might focus on Java or Kotlin. A solid understanding of programming fundamentals like data structures and algorithms is essential as well.

So the timeline is that developers must be:

• Good at communication
• Proficient in one programming language
• A problem solver
• A team player
• Have the mindset of “owning the task.“
• Creative mindset

These capabilities are sufficient for a software developer to ensure growth and success. Having a genuine interest in technology and how it works can be a great motivator for staying up-to-date and continuing to learn.

13 skills for coding and the best practices for a developer

The software development market is expected to reach $1039 million by 2027, with a CAGR of $22.54% from 2020 to 2027.

Radis Web

From this data, it shows that the competition in the upcoming days will be very intense. It is important to stay updated, upgraded, and well-informed about every single technology to succeed in this field.

Having a learning mentality requires more than just coding expertise. You need to develop your coding skillset to stay ahead in this sector. To help you out, here are 13 essential skills for coding that you need to work on and focus on:

(i) Technical skills

• At least one programming language: This is the main foundation. To establish a strong standpoint, you must choose a language based on your interests, such as web development, data science, mobile app development, etc. Some popular options include Python, Java, JavaScript, C++, and Swift.

JavaScript is the most used programming language in the world, with 65.82% of professional developers hooting for it

Stackoverflow

• Data structures and algorithms: Understanding coding structures and algorithms is a crucial aspect of becoming a master coder. This skill will enable you to adapt to any project or working environment effortlessly. It is important to have a fundamental understanding of how data is organized and manipulated to write efficient and clean programs. These basic concepts are the building blocks of writing effective code.
• Source control (e.g., Git): Version control systems track code changes, allowing you to revert to previous versions, collaborate with others, and maintain a history of your project’s development. Mastering Git is essential for professional development workflows.

• Text editors and IDEs: When it comes to coding, you can either use a basic text editor or an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). IDEs offer advanced features such as code completion, debugging tools, and project management, which can make development more efficient.

(ii) Problem-solving and analytical thinking

• Problem-solving: Coding involves efficiently solving problems by breaking them down into logical steps and designing algorithms to achieve a desired outcome. You must have the ability to solve problems through your code. Also, keep the code fresh and neat. So other members of your team could easily edit and customize during any emergency.

Complex problem-solving (CPS) ability has been recognized as a central 21st century skill of high importance for several outcomes including academic achievement and workplace performance

Frontiersin

• Analytical thinking: Having an analytical mind is also important in areas like problem-solving. If you’re good at problem-solving, then you’ll automatically excel in analytical thinking. Analyzing problems, identifying root causes, and approaching solutions logically are essential for effective coding.

(iii) Software development and best practices

• Testing procedures: Writing unit tests ensures that individual parts of your code function correctly, while integration testing verifies that different components work together seamlessly.
• Software development life cycle (SDLC): SDLC is a framework for software development processes, encompassing planning, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Understanding SDLC helps you approach projects systematically.
• Best practices and coding standards: Following established standards improves code readability, maintainability, and collaboration. Learn and adhere to best practices relevant to your chosen programming language(s).

(iv) Additional skills

• Databases and SQL: A good understanding of databases and SQL (Structured Query Language) for data manipulation is a valuable skill as many applications interact with databases.
• Basic networking: A grasp of networking fundamentals like protocols and APIs (application programming interfaces) is helpful for applications that interact with external systems or data sources.
• Cloud computing: Cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud are becoming increasingly popular for development. Having a basic understanding of cloud concepts can be helpful.

(v) All time skills

• Lifelong learning: The technology industry is constantly evolving. Maintaining a growth mindset and a dedication to continuous learning is crucial to remaining relevant and adapting to new technologies and frameworks.

What Is the Future Programming Language? 17 Code Languages for 2030

Strategies to become a more smart and proficient coder

After acquiring the necessary skills, it’s time to implement effective strategies. This will enhance your coding experience and make it more enjoyable. Here we have compiled 5 things that you can follow.

1. Write clean and documented code

Strive for clear, well-commented code that is easy to understand and maintain, both for yourself and others who might collaborate on the project or inherit it in the future.

2. Utilize version control

Utilize a version control system like Git to track changes in your codebase. This allows you to revert to previous versions if needed, collaborate effectively with teammates, and maintain a clear history of your project’s development.

3. Stay to coding basics

Following established coding conventions specific to your chosen programming language(s) is important because it improves the readability and maintainability of your code. It also promotes a consistent style throughout your project, which helps team members collaborate more easily and simplifies future code maintenance tasks.

4. Design your thoughts before you code

In many cases, taking the time to plan and design your code structure before diving in can save time and frustration in the long run. This might involve creating flowcharts, wireframes, or outlining the program’s logic.

5. Focus on continuous learning

The world of technology is constantly evolving. Cultivate a desire to keep learning new technologies, frameworks, and best practices to stay relevant and adaptable in the ever-changing developer landscape.

Bonus: How to increase coding skills

Becoming proficient in coding is an ongoing process that requires dedication, practice, and a strategic coding approach. Whether you are a beginner programmer looking to improve your foundational skills or an experienced developer aiming to expand your expertise, there are several strategies and techniques you can use to enhance your coding abilities.

Here are some actionable steps and best practices to help you increase your coding skills, enabling you to tackle complex problems with confidence and efficiency.

Practice regularly: Just like any skill, the more you code, the better you’ll become. Aim for consistent practice, even if it’s just for a short time each day.

Work on projects: Don’t just learn concepts in isolation. Apply your knowledge by building projects that interest you. Start small and gradually increase the complexity as you improve.

Read code: Learning from others is a great way to improve. Read well-written code to see different approaches to problem-solving and best practices. GitHub is a great place to find open-source projects.

Challenge yourself: Step outside your comfort zone and tackle problems that are a bit difficult. This will help you learn new techniques and improve your problem-solving skills. Many websites offer coding challenges, like Codewars and HackerRank.

Join a coding community: Connect with other coders online or in person. Share your work, ask questions, and learn from others’ experiences. There are many online forums and communities dedicated to coding, such as Stack Overflow.

Teach others: One of the best ways to solidify your understanding of a concept is to explain it to someone else. Try writing a blog post, giving a presentation, or mentoring a beginner coder.

Read books and articles: There are many great resources available to help you learn new coding concepts and improve your skills. Look for books and articles that are well-written and target your skill level.

Take a course or coding boot camp: If you’re looking for more structured learning, consider taking a course or coding boot camp. This can be a great way to learn new skills quickly and get hands-on experience.

Nothing will change overnight, and no one will help unless you help yourself. So the bottom line is that you have to practice regularly and follow the tips consistently. Don’t overwhelm yourself by thinking that software engineering may require math or rocket science. Stick to the basics, become proficient in one particular language, and then practice.

How Appsero can help you become a “Smart WordPress Developer”

Apart from the discussion, now you may know the ins and outs of becoming a coder. In terms of regular practice and dedication, you need the help of tools and automation. It will accelerate your programming journey and keep you delighted all the time.

Let’s now see how Appsero can be a better WordPress tool, especially for developers. Before we start, let’s have a short introduction to Appsero.

Appsero is a new SaaS platform for WordPress developers. It is an excellent WordPress analytics, licensing, and deployment tool. So what it does is allow WordPress developers to manage their plugins and themes in an optimized way.

If you want to promote your products, upgrade the license of your theme or plugin, or identify the reasons behind deactivating your plugin, Appsero is the solution to all your problems.

This plugin is mostly meant to help people who make WordPress themes and plugins. To give their clients better service. We want to make it easy for all developers, marketers, and people who make decisions to work on projects.

Appsero has some amazing features that will help your product grow at a very fast rate. Here are some of the things that make it stand out:

• Insightful User Analytics Data for your plugins and themes (deactivation reasons)
• Complete License Management (Whether you use EDD, WooCommerce, or Envato, we have got you completely covered.)
• Continuous Deployment (deploy directly from your
• Git account: Github/Bitbucket to WordPress.org.
• Deploy new updates to your verified Pro users with ease.
• Deactivation Responder: Send an email to your users whenever they deactivate your plugin.

Therefore, the developers can solely give their concentration to their coding or other development tasks. And plan for further assessments single-mindedly. They do not need to worry about other analyses or marketing-related tasks.

Appsero will do all the tasks on their behalf. Plus, it allows all WordPress developers to showcase their products by displaying detailed user reports. So that you can easily understand your user’s preferences.

Check out the guide to learn how Appsero is better than other WordPress plugin management tools

Final thoughts

Equipping yourself with these 13 skills and strategies opens the door to a world of possibility as a plugin developer. Remember, the WordPress community thrives on innovation and collaboration. Take help in case you struggle to solve any issue. Consult with your seniors, discuss things in the relevant communities, and get your problem solved.

Also, you can get help from the AI tools that are beneficial for developers to help you with WordPress development. Start coding, keep learning, and share your creations with the world. Build a plugin that changes WordPress.💻