I don’t have a CS background (I graduated in Neuroscience) but now I decided I want to attempt a carrer in software development. When I looked at the possible different types of software developer I felt that the one I was most attracted to was desktop developer or system developer. In general, I like creating programs than run offline on a local machine, or even dealing with the low level operating system stuff.

I altready know how to program in Python so I decided to start learning C++ as well since it feels like exactly the language that can be used for developing desktop apps or working with kernels. In general, I like the level of abstraction at which C++ works and I would like to keep working at that level.

However, when looking around for some jobs or in general talking with people who work in the IT field, I feel like most of the work of a developer is polarised between two extremes: either creating web apps using tons of different front-end and back-end frameworks, or working with embedded systems for different kind of electronic devices. C++ specifically seems to be used nothing more than for gaming and embedded systems nowadays (according to my very subjective impression ofc).

So my question is: is it still possible to find a job were the main task is to develop and/or maintain desktop apps? And if so, is C++ (or other languages that work at the same abstraction level like Rust) the right language to do this? Or maybe, given my lack of a CS education, it’s easier to start as a webdev and maybe change later?

Sorry if I said some nonsense or trivial stuff but I just started to enter the IT world and I still don’t have a clear idea on how the job market for SWD works.

  • glad_cat@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    I hate making web sites, I would kill JS if I could, and most of the programs I worked on were in compiled languages like C++ or C#.

    C# is a good language and an alternative to Java, you should learn this if you’re starting.

    But be careful, a lot of desktop applications still make calls to remote servers (with REST or something), and are not really offline. It’s still a lot of fun though.

    polarized between web and embedded

    I haven’t seen this. I’ve seen a split between web and “desktop,” and a small percentage of embedded code. It depends on what you’re looking for (on LinkedIn for example). Desktop applications are far from dead and can still do way more than Electron apps and are way faster when run.