The Internet has evolved massively over the years and it has yet to reach its final form. So far the internet has been used to connect human beings with each other so they can communicate, do business, and even educate themselves. Just as we thought we had explored all the possibilities of the this amazing World Wide Web, a new technology known as ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) was introduced.
IoT is a technology that will allow all the non-living electronic devices to communicate with each other. This idea might sound ridiculous, but the first phase of this technology has already begun implementation. You can now control your house through the internet from anywhere around the world. Self driving cars are already here, and the day is not far when we see them on the road independently. All these signs indicate that the hottest field to jump in right now is the IoT industry, and if you are a developer, then you need to start developing for.
If you are looking to enter the field of development for IoT, then you need to follow the following tips to succeed:
Indulge in Deep Understanding of Sensors
If you are looking to dive into the world of IoT, you need to acquire deeper knowledge of electrical and electronics engineering. According to Karen Panetta, who is a professor at Tufts University and an IEEE member, the IoT development will involve a lot of hardware knowledge in order to execute. It is better to have a background in electrical or computer engineering to understand the wireless communication principles and how the sensors work.
If you don’t have a background in electrical and computer engineering, then you can attend the training for how the sensors work. There are many training courses available online. Some of them are even for free. After acquiring the required knowledge regarding the physical sensors, you can start developing for IoT.
Learn Python or JavaScript
If you are looking to start your career in development for IoT, then you need to learn all the helpful tools. One of these tools requires learning a language that is also web-based and can also be used for back-end data processing and coding on the circuit of the device as well. After glancing at these applications, only two languages come to mind— Python and JavaScript.
According to a tech evangelist from Microsoft Suz Hilton, JavaScript is the perfect language to learn if you want to control any electronic device from the internet. This is because JavaScript can easily be translated from the web to commands of the device in its hardware programming.
IoT is a new technology, which means that while working on it, you get to pave the way yourself. There will be no samples or templates to get any hints. Along with JavaScript you can also advance through by learning other languages, which include Python, .NET and C#.
Sharpen Your Skills on Raspberry Pi
Raspberry Pi might seem like a small kit design for young children to play around, but it can actually teach you a lot about hardware programming. The best thing about this development kit is that it is much cheaper than all the bigger toys that you can find on the market. It is better to practice at the smallest level to build your base before jumping on big projects.
Elliot Schrock, who is the founder of Thryv, Inc, believes that Raspberry Pi is actually a brilliant learning tool for development for those who do not have a background in electrical engineering.. It teaches small things such as how to solder and program an IC to replicate an image on the screen. A developer can benefit a lot by working on mini projects that come with Raspberry Pi. This is a great way to broaden your concepts of IoT and it will certainly benefit you a lot in future.
Make Interface Your Priority
Interface is one of the most important things that developers need to consider before working on any project. So, if you are willing to jump the band wagon of IoT development, then you need to understand that people always prefer things that are user friendly. No one cares how much effort you put into developing a thermostat control or how much high-quality coding you had to do. The only thing that matters to the users is whether the control is easy to use or not.
Connect with Communities
One of the best ways to move forward in any field is to surround yourself with people that have the same ambition. If you are considering being an IoT developer, then you need to search for a community that have friendly people who are there to help and learn from each other.
This practice is recommended for almost any other activity, even other than software development. For example, if you are learning a new language, then you will need to converse with the natives in order to sharpen your skills. The same logic applies to the learning phase of development for IoT.
IoT development is a nebulous field that many few are able to conquer so far. There are very few footprints to follow, so the best thing you can do is make your own mark. The best way to do this is by learning through the help of like-minded people from the community.
Keep Up-to-Date with the Latest Trends
If you are preparing to enter the field of developing for IoT, then you need to be really up-to-date with all the latest technology trends going around the world. According to Eli Dow, who is a scientist and researcher at IBM, the upcoming IoT technology will be rapidly changing platform. If you start working on a platform this week, then it is more likely that it will be obsolete in the next 6 months. Therefore, you should widen your skill set and educate yourself regarding all the upcoming platforms in order to succeed in all of them.