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What does a C# Developer Do?

A C# developer is a type of software engineer who specializes in C#. They write the code for applications and programs that run on Windows and other operating systems. In many cases, C# developers work with other developers or business leaders as part of a team building new products or supporting ongoing services.

C# can be used for a wide variety of purposes, so what a C# developer does is quite broad, and developers may choose to specialize in a particular subset of C#. For example, C# can be used to create and run websites and software-as-a-service platforms that run on cloud-based servers, or it can be used to make native Windows applications. C# is also used for writing video games, with the Unity platform being a popular framework for doing so.

What skills do I need to become a C# developer?

C# developers will typically be expected to have a bachelor’s degree or higher in computer science, though exceptions are often made for strong candidates with proven experience. Committing code to open-source projects on public repositories such as GitHub is a good way to demonstrate programming skills to potential clients with technical backgrounds.

Below is a list of skills, tools, and requirements C# developers will be expected to know. Self-taught developers of other programming languages who are learning C# may already be aware of general programming tools and concepts and can skip straight to step 3.

1. Create a developer environment

C# developers (and programmers in general) all tend to use a similar set of tools, regardless of the specifics of the work at hand. Much like there are many kinds of word processors or spreadsheet software that achieve similar goals, so there are myriad software and software development environments for writing code.

A C# developer will need an IDE (integrated development environment), version control software, and access to a command-line interface. Popular examples for each of these include Visual Studio, Git, and .NET CLI respectively, but there are many alternatives, and which one to choose largely comes down to personal preference.

2. Learn the core C# language and libraries

As a C# developer, you will naturally be expected to know C# and many of the best practices and common design patterns used when working with C#. It’s important to have a solid base understanding of the language and its common library, as you will be using the same language regardless of whether you are writing a video game, a website, or a desktop application. Learning C# data structures, inheritance and composition rules, and design patterns is key to understanding C#.

3. Learn the specific tools for your trade

You will need to learn a certain subset of tools, software libraries, and frameworks specific to the particular project that you are working on. For example, a popular tool for developing video games using C# is Unity, so a C# programmer for a video game client will be expected to have experience with using Unity. This means understanding how to interact with it programmatically, having familiarity with the Unity libraries, and knowing how to use those effectively to build and create a video game.

There are many C# libraries and frameworks. The specific ones used will depend on the type of work being done and the individual job. Legacy systems sometimes force developers into using particular tools or frameworks, so the more experience you have with a variety of tools and frameworks, the more flexible you will be and the more C# developer jobs will become accessible to you.

Should I get a C# developer certification?

In addition to developing your skills, obtaining a professional certification can help your Upwork profile stand out. A variety of C# certifications are available.

The standard certification for C# developers are MCSD: App Builder certification from Microsoft. However, that certification has a number of prerequisite certifications that must be passed before the MCSD certification can be gained. There is some flexibility in which certifications you can obtain to qualify, but the recommended certifications for a C# developers are MCSA: Web Applications and 70-486: Developing ASP.NET MVC Web Applications.

Obtaining the certifications in the following order is recommended:

• MCSA: Web Applications
• 70-486: Developing ASP.NET MVC Web Applications
• MCSD: App Builder

A certification can be a boost for a prospective C# developer, but often it is not required. Demonstrable experience and code samples that display your work are often valued as much as certifications.