What Software Do Computer Scientists Use?

If you want to become a Computer Scientist, you may wonder what software you must know. It is a high-level career where you’ll need tech skills ranging from programming languages to hardware, software systems, or networks.

Computer science positions range from the standard Computer Scientist role to titles like Machine Learning Scientist or Computational Scientist. Read on to learn more about this broad field and the many types of software you may need to master.

What is a Computer Scientist?

The expression Computer Scientist refers to a broad category of computer science roles, including numerous titles. Positions for Computer Scientists can include titles like:

• Applied Scientist
• Computational Scientist
• Computer Vision Scientist
• Cybersecurity Research Scientist
• Machine Learning Scientist
• Research Scientist
• Staff Scientist

These are a few of the many titles these skilled professionals can hold. It can be challenging to determine which online job listings are not Computer Scientist if they have the word Scientist in them. However, here are some of the commonalities among Computer Scientist roles overall:

Typical Responsibilities

Job responsibilities for Computer Scientists vary, depending on level, industry, and title. Computer Scientist roles can require research, communication, mathematics, innovation, and writing for publications. Their tasks can relate to software, hardware, networks, and computer programming languages.

Reporting Structure for This Position

Many Computer Scientists work on large projects for teams, although some may work independently for research and development. They may work in business, medicine, government, system administration, data science, or other fields. Computer Scientists may report to management or team leaders.

Typical Working Environment

While there is no typical working environment for Computer Scientists due to the diversity of positions, a team approach is the most common. In addition to their combination of technical skills, Computer Scientists of all types should expect to use multiple soft skills (communication, time management, attention to detail) to work well with managers, engineers, programmers, and other specialists.

What Software Do Computer Scientists Use?

Computer Scientists use a variety of software programs to perform their job duties. Although most computer science professionals use programming languages like Python and Java and version control systems like Git, they must also master a variety of software programs. Consider the following categories that relate to many Computer Scientist roles.

Adobe Software

A Computer Scientist may need to know Adobe software programs like Acrobat, InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator. Those specializing in development may also need to master specific skills like text editors or debugging tools.

Autodesk Software

Autodesk provides software for computer-aided design (CAD). Top products from Autodesk include AutoCAD, 3ds Max, and Inventor. While many computer science professionals do not need CAD, those in industries like construction or manufacturing may need to learn several Autodesk software programs.

Microsoft Office

Most office jobs today require beginner- to intermediate-level MS Office skills, but these popular tools extend beyond the typical job site. Construction, manufacturing, and even research centers are among the many places requiring Office skills. Office 365 is part of Microsoft 365, and different organizations use different tools from the software giant. While Excel, SharePoint, and Word are standards for many, consider also learning Microsoft Power BI for data visualization or its competitor, Tableau, from Salesforce.

Software Build Tools

Software build tools are essential for many computer science development pros. These complex tools help Computer Scientists generate executable code. Top build tools include Gradle, Make, and Maven, to name a few.

Beyond the software category, numerous tools can be essential to computer science pros, whether they work in data science or systems analysis. Examples include:

• Programming languages like Python, Java, and C++
• Markup languages like HTML (HyperText Markup Language)
• Style sheet languages like CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
• Scripting languages like PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor)
• Git/GitHub for managing source code
• Visual Studio Code (VS-Code) for version control
• The MERN tech stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js) for building dynamic apps or sites

How to Learn Computer Science Software

Many computer science students prefer the traditional in-person classroom approach, particularly those learning their first programming languages. Advantages of in-person training include a comfortable learning environment, equipment provided for students, and the opportunity to interact face-to-face with instructors and peers alike. If there’s a drawback to this engaging method, it’s travel time, especially if the location is far from your home or work.

Among the most popular methods of learning computer science, online bootcamps or certificate programs offer multiple benefits. First, they’re live and interactive, providing hands-on experience in a dynamic learning environment. Expert instructors give you all the materials you need and can deliver real-time answers to all your questions, and you can learn from the comfort of your home or office. One potential drawback to online learning may be a slightly lower level of engagement for students who like to be in an actual classroom surrounded by their peers.

On-demand or asynchronous courses typically require a lower entry point, but many others are available for the price of a subscription service. A few are even free. Although these self-paced courses may have the advantage of low costs, there are some drawbacks. Learning on-demand doesn’t give you the chance to get feedback from an instructor, and most novices ultimately realize they’ll need formal instruction. Still, they can provide a good launching point for computer science novices.

Many computer science beginners like to get oriented to programming languages through free online resources. Videos like those found on the Noble Desktop YouTube channel can be excellent sources of information. However, developing professional-level computer science skills will not come for free. Anyone who wants to work in software development, web development, or data science should have formal training. Check out bootcamps and certificate programs that feature computer science skills or include them within a broader curriculum to get the best value for your training dollar.

Other Skills Needed to Become a Computer Scientist

Soft skills, or workplace skills, differ among varying positions, industries, and sectors. However, you can easily assume a few attributes common to most computer science positions, including the following:

• Analytics skills
• Collaboration/Teamwork
• Communication skills (oral and written)
• Critical thinking
• Detail-oriented
• Problem-solving
• Time management

As for the varying skills and tools required, consider the following possible requirements for computer science professionals in different fields and with different titles:

• Computer Network Architect - A Computer Network Architect may create plans for communication networks and update hardware, among other tasks. Requirements can include a certification like CompTIA Network+ or Cisco Certified Architect.
• Data Scientist - Among the most respected computer science professionals, Data Scientists often start as Data Analysts. Their skill set can include artificial intelligence like machine learning (ML), SQL databases, Python libraries like TensorFlow and PyTorch, and frameworks like Hadoop and Spark.
• Information Security Analyst - Information Security or Cybersecurity Analysts typically need specialized security training. This can include a certification like the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or a comparable designation.
• Network Administrator - A Network Administrator’s hard skills can depend on the job site and company requirements. Examples include familiarity with local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and SD-WANs, software-defined wide area networks.
• Software Developer - Software Developers’ job requirements can include Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, or other languages. They must also be proficient in database management systems (DBMS) and have a working knowledge of algorithms and data structures.
• Software Engineer - Software Engineers typically also need JavaScript and HTML/CSS expertise. Depending on their positions, they may also have to master the MERN tech stack, Visual Studio Code, Git/GitHub, and other essentials.
• Web Developer - Like Software Engineers, many Web Developers must learn the MERN tech stack, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They also frequently need professional certification like the Certified Web Professional designation.

Learn the Skills to Become a Computer Scientist at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers multiple training options for students planning to learn computer science, in-person and online through teleconferencing. Topics include web development, data science programming, and software engineering. Consider the following programs:

• Data Science Certificate - One of Noble Desktop’s most popular programs, this course includes Python training as part of a more comprehensive data science curriculum. Attendees learn Python fundamentals like database analysis, automation, and formatting. You’ll also master other topics like SQL and machine learning.
• Full-Stack Web Development Certificate - The Full-Stack Web Development Certificate course provides students with intensive, comprehensive front and back-end coding training, teaching them to build and maintain websites. Through hands-on projects, the students will learn CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, SQL, Python, and Django, eventually becoming proficient in designing and developing complete web applications.
• Python Developer Certificate - The curriculum for this certificate includes a 60-hour unit on Python Web Development with Django. In this intensive course, you’ll learn about URL dispatchers, automation, GitHub, and SQL. Attendees should have some experience with HTML and CSS before enrolling.
• Python Programming Bootcamp - The Python Programming Bootcamp is an intensive course designed to thoroughly immerse students in Python, one of the most sought-after programming languages in the tech industry. Not only will students be introduced to the basics of writing and running Python scripts, but they will also delve into more advanced topics such as file operations, regular expressions, working with binary data, and leveraging the extensive functionality of Python libraries.
• JavaScript Development Certificate - The JavaScript Development Certificate covers programming and development basics, including object-oriented programming (OOP), variables, arrays, string methods, and more. Tools and techniques include the MERN tech stack (MongoDB, Express, React, and Node), Visual Studio Code, Git, and GitHub. The course comprises eight 1-on-1 mentoring sessions, and graduates can retake the program for up to one year at no additional charge. Applicants should be familiar with HTML/CSS before enrollment.