DEV Community: Angela Gupta

What is Selenium? A Beginner's Guide

Angela Gupta — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 04:55:09 +0000

Automating tests across browsers for these web applications is beneficial with the increase in online works and the vast number of websites. Selenium is the tool that allows you to automate web browsers. Selenium allows you to write test scripts in programming languages like Java, NodeJS, PHP, Ruby, Perl, C#, and more in a single interface.

With the help of Selenium, you can now test web applications on various browsers and multiple operating systems. Selenium is mainly used for functional and regression testing, and the testing are done by the Selenium tool are referred to as Selenium testing.

You can implement Selenium tests using Python programming language as it is a scripting language with tremendous library support and is well suitable for test automation. You can utilize Java8 to implement Selenium tests with higher execution speed. Java has a prominent presence in commercial applications, and this feature makes it easier to integrate Selenium tests. ****

You are aware Selenium is an automation testing tool. Before getting in-depth, let us understand the manual and automation testing. There are multiple differences and benefits to manual and automation testing. A human is responsible for conducting the test where they perform tests step by step without test scripts.

In the case of automation testing, you can execute tests automatically through test automation frameworks and other helpful tools and software. Testers are benefited from these automation tests as they can execute more test cases and improve the test coverage. When you compare manual testing with automation testing, you can analyze that manual testing is a long process that takes more time and is less efficient than automation.

The automation process helps you achieve more tests done with greater efficiency. You make use of test scripts that automates test execution and requires less time to complete the tasks. The automation tasks can also include accurate user simulations, and Selenium is the functional automation tool that helps you achieve all the expectations.****

If you get familiar with the Selenium tool, you will understand that it is not just a single tool but is a combination of various suites of software. Selenium has four components Selenium IDE (Integrated Development Environment), Selenium RC (Remote Control) - deprecated now, Selenium WebDriver, and Selenium Grid.

Selenium IDE (Integrated Development Environment)

Selenium IDE is implemented as a firefox extension that provides record and playback functionalities on test scripts. It allows testers to export recorded scripts in languages like Java, HTML, Python, C#, Ruby, RSpec, JUnit, and TestNG. Selenium IDE allows you to use these exported scripts in Selenium RC or web driver. This IDE has limited scope, and the generated test scripts are not robust and portable.

Selenium Remote Control

Selenium Remote Control (RC) is a server, written in Java, that accepts commands for the browser via HTTP in any programming language, which promotes better amalgamation of Selenium in existing unit test frameworks.****

Selenium RC comes with two components.

Selenium RC Server - acts as an HTTP proxy for web requests.
Selenium RC Client - library comprising your programming language code.

Selenium WebDriver

It is the successor to Selenium RC and is the most crucial component of the Selenium suite. SeleniumWebDriver helps you with the interface where you can create and execute test cases. These test scripts are written to identify the web elements on web pages, and desired actions are performed on these elements. SeleniumWebDriver performs faster than Selenium RC, and it makes the direct calls the methods to the web browsers. Hence, we have the different drivers for each browser, and some of the primarily used web drivers include:

Mozilla Firefox Driver
Internet Explorer Driver
Google Chrome Driver
Opera Driver
HTML Unit Driver - a particular headless driver
Safari Driver
Selenium Grid

It is an essential component of Selenium Suite which allows you to run tests on multiple machines against various browsers in parallel. It follows the Hub-Node Architecture to execute parallel test scripts.

Career in Selenium

Selenium is a popular open-source testing tool many companies use to test their web applications. A career in Selenium can be rewarding, and you will be able to work with different browsers and help companies test their web applications. Selenium is a popular tool, and there is high demand for Selenium testers.

If you are interested in a career in Selenium, you should learn Selenium Basics and other Selenium courses and learn how to write Selenium scripts. You should also become familiar with Selenium WebDriver. Many articles, blogs, courses, and tutorials are available online to help you learn Selenium.

Wrapping Up

Selenium is a web development tool that enables you to test your web applications. It automates the process of checking the functionality and responsiveness of your web applications. Selenium can test web applications in different browsers on different platforms.

Hence, it is crucial to be aware of helpful automation tools like Selenium and upskill yourself in this automation tech world. A novice in this field can go for a Selenium tutorial and understand what is Selenium. There is also a Selenium course available online, which will help you better grip Selenium basics. Hence, learn this beneficial automation tool to enhance your working processes.

Here Are 5 Free Online Courses To Brush Up Your Java Programming Skills

Angela Gupta — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 04:06:19 +0000

So you have made up your mind to kickstart your journey in Java. Maybe you wish to be a Java expert or you are an aspiring Java Developer. Either way, free resources available online will always be your saviour. From beginning to advanced Java topics, there isn't anything that you won't find here.

To ease up the process of acquiring the relevant Java Programming skills, I have compiled a few online Java courses that are available for free. Now, we will find a lot of free Java courses online so what's so great about the courses I'm going to mention.
These online Java courses come with a free certificate and are also well-structured. The content is curated by Java experts in such a way that a beginner can easily understand the flow of the courses.

1. Java Programming Course

Starting from what is Java to Java & Java IDE installation, it covers the most basic concepts of Java slowly moving towards the advanced ones. You will be taken through how to write your first Java program and many other essential Java topics. Here are the topics you will learn during this Java Programming Course:

Variables and Data Types
Operators
Flow Control Statements
Functions
Arrays

Enrollment Link: Java Course
Duration: 2 Hours

2. OOPs in Java

So, now that you are well-versed with the basics of Java and have a decent grasp on it, it's time to put more light on OOPs concepts in Java. At this time, you might already be aware of OOPs and how Java is an object-oriented language. OOPs in Java is the most important concept of Java and anyone looking to make a career in the language should have a good command in OOPs.

Enrollment Link: OOPs in Java
Duration: 1.5 hours

3. Data Structures & Algorithms in Java

Now that you are one step ahead in the Java game, you can go forward and learn about Data Structures and Algorithms in Java. The free online course in DSA in Java will focus on

Data Structures
Algorithms
Time Complexity
Tower Of Hanoi
Assignment Solutions
Tower Of Hanoi Example
Sorting Algorithm: Bubble, Quick, Merga and Insertion Sort

Enrollment Link: Data Structure & Algorithms in Java
Duration: 4 hours

4. JDBC in Java

Before getting your hands dirty in Java projects and application, you must understand the Database languages. Also known as Java Database Connectivity, JDBC is used to Java and Database in order to develop an entire Java application. This course will talk about:

JDBC fundamentals
JDBC Architecture
Types of Drivers
The 7 steps of JDBC
JDBC Implementation

Enrollment Link: JDBC in Java
Duration: 1 hour

5. Java Applications & Projects

Finally, you have come so far and understand the basics as well as some advanced topics of Java. It is now time to put your Java learning to practice and work on developing Java applications or projects. This is a sure shot way to solidify your learning and prove that you have the capability to become a Java expert. Look at two free online Java applications and Java projects courses.

Start Developing Java Applications & Solidify Your Learning

Enrollment Link: Java Applications
Duration: 1 hour

Work on Java Projects & Highlight it on your Resume

Enrollment Link: Java Projects
Duration: 30 minutes

In A Nutshell...

We talked about a lot of Java courses in this blog and I hope you would be able to make the most out of it. Don't forget the USP these online courses include. Go ahead and enroll yourself in the Java Course Online today. They offer free certificates after the course completion and if the candidate passes the assessment test.

So, what are you waiting for? Start upskilling yourself right away!

Uncovering Myths About Software Testing

Angela Gupta — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 04:56:31 +0000

If you have been meaning to get into the Software Testing profession, you might face all sorts of concerns and confusion. Is Software Testing a promising career? Does a Software Tester get paid well? Is it worth getting into Software Testing? Luckily for you, you can use many online platforms to fill yourself with the Software Testing information. The internet has become both boon and bane in these times.

Yes, on one hand, where you understand the importance of Software Testing and if it’s a promising career, on the other, you may be reading another piece of information about this profession which in reality could very possibly be a myth. Today, let us bust some of the myths surrounding Software Testing.

But before we start, are you handy with the fundamentals of Software Testing? Or is it something that you have been meaning to acquire? You may be an aspiring Software Tester, with or without much knowledge around the subject. Either way, you can enroll yourself in a free online Software Basics course to brush up your knowledge around it.

Great, now that we have cleared that up, let us start busting the myths.

1. Performing testing is an additional & unnecessary cost

This is the biggest myth about Software Testing. People tend to avoid the testing activity in hopes of saving money. The problem occurs only when the software or application starts performing poorly. This is when you realize that the one-time cost of testing is cheaper than frequently occurring errors or maintenance costs.

2. Tests are performed once the software is ready

A common misconception is that the testing process is initiated once the product is wholly developed. However, a bug or error can keep cropping up even during development. Therefore, the ideal is to perform testing after adding or removing each function. This way, you can avoid getting stuck with a series of bugs in the end.

3. Testing is a time-consuming activity

Testing is not a time-consuming process, and it is debugging that may take some time. Identifying the errors and then rectifying them requires time-- and this is why people end up thinking it's testing that is time-consuming.

4. Testers are end-to-end responsible for product quality

It is a prevalent misunderstanding that product quality should solely be the responsibility of testers or the testing team. Testers are responsible for identifying vulnerabilities and reporting them to stakeholders, after which they must decide whether to rectify the bug or launch the software.

5. Automation should be employed as it saves time

True, Test Automation lowers testing time; however, it is impossible to begin test automation at any point during the software development process. Only after the manual testing has been performed and the software becomes somewhat reliable, that is when test automation should begin. Furthermore, test automation cannot be employed if needs are constantly changing.

6. Anyone can perform testing without prior experience

Non-IT folks assume that anyone can test software and that testing is not a profession that requires prior expertise or experience. Nevertheless, testers are fully aware that this is a misconception, and so should you.

7. Testers' only job is to identify bugs

Testers are responsible for finding bugs in software, but they are also experts in the software they are testing. Developers are exclusively accountable for the element or region to which they have been assigned. In contrast, testers are familiar with the overall operation of the product, its dependencies, and the effects of one element on another.

To Wrap Up

Software Testing, undoubtedly, is a fantastic job that one can perform only when they are passionate about it. In the end, remember that you are rewarded for improving the end product's quality and for your exceptional skills. So, are you ready to deliver the end-user your best work?

What Do We Mean By Data Structures in Python?

Angela Gupta — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 11:09:22 +0000

Python is a flexible language with a lot of features. One of the most important features is the data structure. Data structures are an integral part of any programming language and Python has some really powerful ones.

Data structures are a way to store and organize data so that it can be used efficiently.

Data structures allow programmers to store information in an efficient manner so that the program can access it quickly. They are also helpful in organizing data so that the program can find it more efficiently.

This article will cover what data structures are, how to use them, and how they work in Python.

How to use Data structures in Python?

In Python, data structures are created using the classes defined in the built-in module, "stdlib". The most commonly used classes are "list", "tuple", "dict", and "set".

Data structures in Python work by using a combination of variables and special methods. For example, a list in Python is created by using the [] operator and can be populated by using the append() method.

The Many Data Structures in Python: A Brief Overview

The list is one of the most common data structures in Python. It can be used for storing any type of data including numbers, strings, or even other lists. The list is very versatile because it can be manipulated by using loops or conditional statements. Lists can be used to store a single type of data or a mixture of different types.

Tuples are similar to lists as they can also be used to store a single type or mixture, but they are immutable which means that once you create them, the values cannot change.

Sets are very useful for storing unique pieces of data and dictionaries are useful for storing key-value pairs.

Dictionary stores key-value pairs of items where the key is usually a string and the values are usually objects of some other type. Dictionaries are useful when you have a lot of information that you want to organize into categories but don't want to use a list for this purpose because they are not ordered like lists.

Want to have a detailed overview of what Data Structures in Python exactly entail? Check out this free Python Data Structures Course and develop a strong knowledge base around DSA in Python.

Looking for more Python courses to build your Python knowledge base?

And here is out little secret. These are all free online courses that comes with certificates.

Why is Selenium the Best Automation Tool?

Angela Gupta — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 05:18:10 +0000

How can you acquire more knowledge about automation testing? What are the various tools used for automation testing? Is Selenium the best automation testing tool? We understand that you have any questions in your mind and are looking out for their answers. We have curated this article for all of you to get a little clarity around it.

We all know that we have now entered the information age, and we can see automation in almost every industry. Both automation and Artificial Intelligence have taken over the world. Most of our day-to-day operations are becoming partly or fully automated with the help of all the new technologies emerging these days.

Those days when we were entirely dependent on doing manual testing are behind us as it required a lot of code editing, reviewing log files, searching for errors that took a lot of time and effort. Automation provides comfort and flexibility to developers worldwide since it automates all the activities listed above. The developer does not need to spend a lot of time looking for glitches or bugs.

Unless you are living under a rock, you must be aware of what Software Testing is- a process of ensuring and validating that the software or app is free of any bug or error. The end goal is to make sure the software meets the technical requirements, and customer needs effectively and efficiently. A tester executes various tests to identify and rectify the bugs.

This blog is curated to cover all the aspects of automation testing and the most popular tool associated with it, Selenium.

So, let's begin the journey!

Why Automation Testing?

IT developments are almost incomplete without incorporating automation. Yes, automation remains the biggest challenge for QA specialists worldwide since many changes are expected in the application after every release. Technology is evolving and, with it, numerous other things.

Manual testing is being overtaken by automation testing. We are not saying that we will go completely automated as it is not reasonably possible due to a lack of resources. Hence, we will witness a combination of both manual and automation testing.

Benefits of Automation Testing

It will enhance the quality and effectiveness of the applications.
Manual testing requires a lot of money and cost compared to automation testing, and it eliminates the need for human intervention to some level, making testing execution more rapid.
It will help you identify bugs in the early stages of SDLC.

Selenium: A Brief Introduction

It became widespread among testing professionals due to the numerous benefits it offers. If we talk about automated testing, it is usually the first thing that comes to our minds. After being launched in 2004, Selenium has made the life of automation testers easier. They have started to like using this tool since it is easy to use and readily available. Now, without further ado, let's get to the main topic and discuss what Selenium is all about and its offer.

You can also get your hands on the free online Selenium basics course to get a fair idea of what Selenium is all about.

You must have already figured it out by now- Selenium is an open-source automation testing tool. Here is the catch: it is used to test only the web application, which means it is not meant to test software or mobile testing applications. The testing professionals must have extensive coding skills and scripting knowledge to use this tool.

Who invented Selenium?

Jason Huggins created it in 2004, an engineer at ThoughtWorks. He came up with this idea when a software he was working on required constant testing, and he realized that the repetitive testing was making the application inefficient. So he developed a JavaScript program called javascriptrunner which became so successful when he turned it open source, and today we know it as Selenium Core. So now that we know how the idea of Selenium was hatched let's understand more about Selenium.

Selenium Suite of Tools

It offers 4 components popularly known as the Selenium suite of tools. It contains the following-

Selenium WebDriver: It is a web automation tool that enables you to write automated tests of web applications. It is used to automate the test process of web applications accessed through a web browser. Selenium can test the functionality, usability, and accessibility of web apps.

Selenium Grid: It is a tool that enables you to run Selenium tests in parallel. Selenium Grid is used to run Selenium tests on multiple computers in parallel. This can speed up the testing process because it enables you to execute more than one test simultaneously.

Selenium IDE: It is a tool that enables you to record and automate playback tests. Selenium IDE can record your steps to test a web application and then play back those steps automatically. This can be helpful to automate the testing process.

Selenium Remote Control: It is a tool that enables you to control browsers remotely. It enables you to execute Selenium commands from a remote machine and view the results in a browser on the remote machine. It can be used to automate the testing of web applications.

What are its various benefits?

Learning Selenium-specific language not required: You can write your scripts in Java, Python, JavaScript, C#, Ruby, Perl, and more, and in no time, Selenium will convert them into codes that are compatible with it. That way, you do not have to learn any selenium-specific language.

Besides, every language provided by Selenium has dedicated frameworks that help to write a test script for selenium automation testing. You know that if you choose Selenium as an automation testing tool, you don't have to think about language and promoting the system since you are already sorted that way.

Open-source tool: As it is an open-source tool, it does not require any cost of licensing, which directly makes it far better than any other automation testing tool. So, this is how you can save a good amount of money and use it elsewhere.

The Selenium community continually helps developers and software engineers automate the features and functionalities of web browsers. This is why it has become the most widely used tool and is also reliable amongst testers from all around the world.

Supports various browsers and OS: Yes, you do not need to write different test scripts for all browsers. Selenium has got you covered that way as it supports almost all the browsers- be it chrome, firefox, opera, safari, internet explorer. It is also compatible with all of these OS like Linux, windows, mac, etc. This makes writing the scripts easy for the tester as they do not have to worry about which platform they are writing for.

Flexible & easy to learn: Writing Selenium is comparatively easy as it requires only writing a few pieces of code to automate the functions of your website. Test cases regroup and refactor. This enables developers and testing professionals to modify the code quickly, reducing duplication, eliminating complications, and increasing maintenance, making it flexible and usable.

Supports mobile testing: You can test native, hybrid, or mobile web apps with Selenium, just with the help of extra software. like Appium and Selendroid. Both tools are open source, and the main difference is that Appium supports iOS, Android, and Windows devices while Selendroid primarily focuses on Android.

Amid its advantages, there are a few disadvantages associated with it too:

Difficult to understand for non-coders: All of us are aware that the whole idea behind automation is to minimize the requirement of coding skills. In short, anyone with extensive knowledge of programming should perform testing functions. Tools like Ranorex, TestComplete, etc., allow codeless testing. However, the same cannot be said for Selenium as it requires a good grasp of one of the programming languages.

No technical support: Since it is an open-source tool, its creators or anyone from the company does not provide tech support. You can find answers or solutions to your problems by joining the community where people who are still learning or experienced people might see your query and answer you.

No reporting facility: So, if you are facing any issues with the tool, you can't report it and send it to the team. You might have to take a screenshot of it and then contact the team that might diagnose your problem.

Career opportunities in Selenium Testing

Over the past 10 years, Test Automation has undergone so many changes. Selenium is the best testing tool for software, and its demand is at its peak right now. There is a high demand for skilled professionals making it the right time to land in the market.

If you already possess some technical experience, learning and getting a Selenium specific will not be a significant issue. Also, if you have previously worked in manual testing, you can make easy use of that and advance your knowledge by learning about Selenium. Using Selenium is not an expensive affair because it is an open-source tool.

Skills required to get into Selenium Testing

Technical Skills

SQL: As Software systems contain massive amounts of data in the background, it is true. SQL queries ranging from simple to complex can verify if appropriate data is stored in the specific backend database.

Automation: With the growing complexities and various issues in the application, it is difficult to perform a particular task by just being dependent on manual testing. Testers need to learn automation for checking browser consistency, performance, etc. It is essential in this era of growing technology to have automation skills.

Linux Commands: A good understanding of Linux commands is essential for testers to progress in their careers. It is required due to software like Web-services, Databases, and App servers.

Soft skills

Creative Thinking: The organizations must serve the consumer and fulfill their needs. As a testing professional, you need to recognize this and work on it accordingly to provide your customers with what they want within the time limit.

Good Communication (written and spoken): You should effectively communicate with clients, such as updating the project's status to customers, reminding the team about specifications, communicating problems to developers, translating requirement documents to test cases, and preparing reports.

Team management: You may be asked to work with developers, clients, and customers in the testing team. Therefore, you must acknowledge the necessity of working closely with non-experts to ensure a good product release.

Flexibility: You should face any challenge in the software testing environment. If the job requires software training, they should do that too.

Conclusion

How many times has it happened that you found your favorite movies or TV shows online for free without having to spend money to buy a subscription fee? Feels good. Now, what would happen if Selenium suddenly is not a free tool anymore? We might not feel wrong about its cons anymore since we will miss having a free and efficient tool. Selenium is not perfect, but it is still doing fine with the testers that are not following the codeless trend.

Selenium is by far the most popular tool, and even though it has some disadvantages associated with it, it is still preferred by most testers worldwide. So, if you are planning to learn to work on Selenium, this is your chance, and this would also be the best time to do so. Want to expand your knowledge of Selenium? Learn Selenium with Python and see how it works.

OOPs Concepts in Java

Angela Gupta — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 16:21:40 +0000

OOPs (Object-Oriented Programming) refers to a style of programming characterized by identifying classes of the objects defined that are closely linked with the associated methods/functions. OOPs, are associated with the concepts like class, object, Abstraction, Inheritance, encapsulation, and polymorphism. The most popular programming languages follow the OOP paradigm like Java, Ruby, C++, C#, etc.

Java is one of the most popularly known programming languages and is the most advanced computing platform. It had a humble beginning, which is now escalated to a powerful language with a significant share in today’s world. Java Programming language has successfully provided a reliable platform for developing many valuable services and applications. Many innovative products and digital services are dependent on Java for successful design implementation. Java is an integral part of developers’ career life as they have to create many products, services, and websites. There are also some websites that can’t be run without the involvement of Java. Thus, programmers should invest their time learning Java and exploring its in-demand features.

What are OOPs in Java?

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is a type of programming used by programmers to define the data structure with the help of data types and various operations that can be applied. Java is the most sought-after skill, and it is exciting to learn about OOPs concepts in Java. Talking about the object-based applications in Java depend on defining the classes, creating objects from these classes, and interacting between the created objects. There are four basic principles, or you can say the building blocks of OOP, that you must be aware of.

Inheritance
Encapsulation
Abstraction
Polymorphism

Let us look into these four principles in detail.

The Four Pillars of OOPs

Inheritance

In OOPs, the programs are designed in a way where everything is an object, and these objects interact with one another. Inheritance, as the name suggests, you can inherit the properties of a class to another. The inheritance concept allows you to reuse the code and establish connections between multiple classes. Based on the inheritance concept, you can classify the classes into two categories:

Parent Class - Super or Base class
Child Class - Subclass or Derived class

A class that inherits the properties from a pre-defined class is known as the Child Class, and the class from whom these properties are inherited is known as the Parent Class.

Inheritance is further divided into four types:

Single Inheritance

Single Inheritance comes into the picture when a child class inherits the properties and behavior of a single parent class. This aids in the code reusability and adds new features to the existing code in the child class.

Multilevel Inheritance

The name itself suggests that there are multiple levels of Inheritance involved. Multilevel Inheritance appears when a child class inherits the properties and behaviors of parent classes at different levels.

Hierarchical Inheritance

It is a kind of Inheritance where a class has more than one child class - subclasses, or in simple words, multiple child classes have the same parent through which they inherit their properties and behaviors. Such kind of Inheritance indicates a Hierarchical Inheritance.

Hybrid Inheritance

A combination of multiple inheritances and multilevel Inheritance leads to a Hybrid Inheritance. Java doesn’t support multiple inheritances as it leads to ambiguity. Thus, Hybrid Inheritance can only be achieved with the help of the interfaces.

Encapsulation

Encapsulation is a method that binds the data and the code together to form a single unit. This also paves the way for safeguarding your data from unnecessary modifications. Encapsulation allows methods and variables of a class to be well hidden and keep it safe. You can enable encapsulation in Java through the following methods:

Declare the variables of a class as private.
Enabling public getter and setter methods for modifying and viewing the variable values.

Abstraction

Abstraction focuses on events rather than the ideas that lead to the events. Abstraction helps hide the implementation details and only shows the output of these implementations that are essential things for a user. You can look at any website, and you will only get to see an attractive user interface rather than the hundred and thousand lines of code. You will not be aware of the internal processing but will be able to deal with its output, and that’s the beauty of Abstraction. Therefore, it helps in reducing the complexity. You can achieve Abstraction through two methods called,

Abstract Class

You use the ‘abstract’ keyword to implement an abstract class in Java. You can’t create an object of a class if it is declared an abstract class, and these classes can have abstract as well as concrete methods. You can make use of an abstract class by inheriting it from another class where you have defined and implemented the abstract methods.

Interface

You can refer to the interface as a class blueprint or a collection of abstract methods and static constants. Each method in the interface is public and abstract without any constructors. Interface and Abstraction contribute to achieving multiple inheritances in Java.

Polymorphism

Polymorphism indicates many forms. Poly here means many, and morph means forms. Polymorphism indicates the ability of an object, function, or variables to showcase multiple forms. Through polymorphism, you can define one method or an interface and have multiple implementations. Polymorphism in Java is categorized into two:

Run time Polymorphism

Run time polymorphism in Java refers to a process where a call to an overridden method is resolved at the run time. This process involves using a reference variable to call an overridden method of a superclass at a run time.

Compile-time Polymorphism

Compile-time polymorphism in Java refers to a process where a call to an overloaded method is resolved at compile time. You can consider Method Overloading as an example of compile-time polymorphism.

Benefits of OOPs in Java

Faster development speed
Lesser development costs
Enhanced productivity during software development
Improved software maintainability
High-quality software

Summing Up

Many developers prefer Java programming for implementing various challenging projects. OOPs concepts in Java has proven to be one of the most cherished concepts as it has rewarded programmers with higher benefits and better performances. If you aim to build your career as a successful programmer and a developer, it is better to learn OOPs Concepts in Java as it’ll prove beneficial in your career journey. You can enroll in Great Learning’s OOPs Concepts in Java free course explicitly designed for beginners and covers all the OOPs concepts with examples and hands-on sessions.

Getting started with UI UX Design

Angela Gupta — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 06:36:37 +0000

Introduction

There is no set road to becoming a UI UX designer, as most UI UX designers would tell you. Some designers have arts degrees, while others have attended architecture school, and yet some have come from completely different fields. Many designers have entered the field without any formal training, but with genuine empathy for others and the belief that design can improve people's lives.

However, finding an entry-level UI UX job is difficult, and many newcomers may be confused by the interchangeability of design concepts such as UX and UI. Let's take a short glance at the two terms below before digging deeper into starting a career in UI UX.

What is UI UX Design?

UX Design (User Experience Design) - The goal of UX is to improve user experience and create usability better. To discover and address real user problems, UX requires a thorough understanding of society, psychology, and design. In addition, tactical abilities like concept iteration, user research, prototyping, and usability testing are required. Communication is one of the most vital capabilities for UX designers.

UI Design (User Interface Design) -Text fields, buttons, checkboxes, and drop-down lists are just a few of the interface elements that may be used to build actual interfaces that users can understand and use. In small businesses, UI designers may handle the entire process, from user flows through high-fidelity mockups; in larger businesses, they are more likely to focus on designing the app or website's look. (that's what we call "Sketch" or "Wireframing").

How to get started with UI UX and become a UI UX Designer?

There's no need to follow in the footsteps of others; instead, consider the following tips for individuals considering a career in UX design.

1. Research what UX and UI Design are and see if it's what you really want to do

In general, becoming a UX or UI Designer is a terrific career, but before you invest hours of effort and possibly money into it, do some study into what UX and UI Designers do, the distinctions between them, and so on to see if it's something you want to commit to.

2. Figure out what skills/strengths you already have and how that can play into UX and UI Design

Even if you come from a completely different field, you most likely already possess certain talents that can be used in UX/UI Design. Do you, for example, enjoy pondering how things around you may be made better? Do you enjoy drawing or photographing? Are you an expert in data and analysis?

All of these abilities or interests can contribute to your success as a UX/UI Designer, so don't discount your previous work experience or education just because it isn't directly relevant!

3. Make a plan for learning design fundamentals

While you don't have to necessarily go back to school and invest a lot of money and time to acquire a formal degree, you can devise a strategy to study things like design processes, various tools and outputs, and abilities like wireframing and prototyping, etc.

For those of you that are great organizers and tremendously self-motivated, you can curate content yourself from around the web and learn everything on your own. You can enroll yourself in the free UI UX design course and also get your hands on a free certificate. The course entails lessons in which you learn about design fundamentals, and hands-on projects in which you get to learn by doing.

4. Work on projects

Be careful to do as many projects as you can, whether you're attending a class or learning on your own (you'll need them for your portfolio). Taking a look around you and seeing what you can change is the simplest way to come up with a project idea. Is there a website or app that you enjoy but believe could be better? To gain some solid practice, turn it into a project and go through the complete design process.

For example, suppose someone came up with the concept for an injection reminder mobile app while waiting for injection and hearing others gripe about how they always forget to come in for their injections or many more such incidents can pop up new ideas which you can implement and take advantage of.

5. Practice design

Aside from projects, practice design anytime you have the opportunity! Continue to experiment with and learn new tools such as Sketch, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator. Find some internet tutorials and practice making some cool and cute items.

If you have the time, learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which are front-end programming languages.

6. Make a portfolio

If you want to work in the design industry, you'll need a portfolio to show off your work and introduce yourself to potential employers.

You can get away with a simple and uncomplicated portfolio that focuses on your work and design process if you are solely focused on UX. Spend some time developing your personal brand and ensuring that everything looks amazing if you want to work in UI at all.

For instance, you can create a portfolio using Webflow and the Valentino theme, or you can create one according to your needs. Webflow is the greatest option if you know HTML and CSS because it allows for far more customization than other sites like Squarespace or Wix.

7. Build your presence online

In addition to your portfolio, maintain your LinkedIn profile (or create one if you don't already have one) and participate in social media sites like Twitter, Dribble, and Behance. Follow people you admire, tweet about design, discuss relevant articles, and post work to share with the design community. These are all fantastic places to get your name out there and join the internet design community!

8. Write blogs

To share your ideas, start composing blog posts. It's also a good approach for employers to get a sense of your tone and thought process. Don't be scared to discuss your projects or anything else that interests you.

9. Stay up to date on design news and trends

There are numerous fantastic websites where you may read about tech news, design trends, ideas, and so on. UX Magazine, Smashing Magazine, and UX Booth are among the most popular sites.

10. Reach out to designers and people in the community

Begin forming connections with designers whose work you appreciate or people who work for companies where you'd like to work. Find their email address and write a nice note inquiring about their work and inviting them to meet for coffee or a brief discussion. Although not everyone will respond, I am confident that many will be eager to converse with you and share their knowledge!

12. Ask for feedback (and learn from them)

Negative feedback, contrary to popular assumptions, can be far more beneficial than positive input. It can assist you in developing as a designer, improving your talents, and creating better goods.

Learn to seek out and accept unfavorable design input, then use it to better your work. Post your work to Dribbble and ask for feedback; the community is eager to assist.

Finally, negative criticism might be one of the most beneficial aspects of your design career. Just keep in mind that you don't have to remodel all of your skills right first. Attempting to improve by one percent every day will result in continuous development toward success.

Conclusion

Now you have a better consideration about how to approach the industry of UI/UX. These steps above are not laidback or easy, but definitely feasible.

This was ample information about the ways you can get started with UI UX Designs. You can also visit Great Learning for various courses (free courses/paid courses) related to UI UX.

Stay bold, brave, and curious!

All the best to you in conquering the new heights and have a Great Learning!!!