C++ has been and remains one of the most popular programming languages. According to the PYLP (Popularity of Programming Language) index, it has received 5th position. C++ stands out with its fast performance, high efficiency, and great flexibility. Moreover, it can be used in a vast variety of software development areas, from building operating systems, games, browsers, and applications to developing embedded systems and UI.
Nevertheless, C++ is also one of the most challenging programming languages, as it’s complicated to find an experienced and skilled developer specializing in it. In this article, you will find out what skills should be included in a C++ developer skillset and how to hire the best C++ programmer for your project.
What is C++ Used For?
C++ is an object-oriented, general-purpose programming language that is an advanced version of the C programming language. Its overwhelming popularity is attributed to its core features. Although C++ is a compiler-based programming language, it can boast accelerated performance speed. Moreover, it provides a rich library with many in-built functions and great flexibility that allows C++ to integrate with almost every operating and programming language.
Being a general-purpose programming language, C++ is used for the development of various systems and applications like:
- Operating systems. All the major operating systems(Windows, Linux, MacOSX) include some elements programmed in C++.
- Apps. C++ is commonly used for desktop, mobile, web application development.
- Games. Being one of the fastest programming languages, C++ has become particularly popular in game development.
- Web browsers. Due to its reliability and speed, C++ is also used to develop web browsers. Popular browsers Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox were developed in C++.
- Embedded systems. Many smart devices and machines are programmed with the use of C++.
What to Look for When Hiring a C++ Developer
The main responsibility of C++ developers is to develop reusable and robust C++ software solutions. However, there are many things to consider for a company that wants to hire C++ developers such as their experience, skills, willingness to extend their knowledge, and many others. Requirements for C++ developer skills may vary depending on the scale and type of a project. Thus, before starting the search, define what level of proficiency is necessary for your business.
Junior Level
Junior developers usually have strong motivation and desire to improve their knowledge, however, they lack experience. They know the basics of the programming language, databases, and are familiar with some frameworks.
Companies usually hire Junior C++ developers to fulfill monotonous work or to reduce the development costs of a small- or middle-scale project.
Junior C++ developer skills include:
- Sound skills in writing code in C++ and Unix.
- Basic knowledge of RDBMS databases (SQL, Oracle)
- Working with modern software design and development methodologies
- C++ Standard Template Library (STL)
- Basic skills at debugging
- Good pointers arithmetic.
Middle Level
Middle developers are already competent programmers having experience and knowledge to create robust and productive software. They are initiative, autonomous, and resourceful. Yet, middle developers still lack the ability to prioritize tasks and reflect on their mistakes.
Middle C++ developers skills involve:
- Seamless theoretical and practical knowledge of C++ and STL
- Good debugging techniques
- Code troubleshooting
- Analysis of project demands
- Good understanding and implementation of various RDBMS databases
- Working with various Integrated Development Environments (IDEs)
Senior Level
Senior developers have deep knowledge and extensive experience allowing them to analyze project requirements and find the most efficient solutions to meet them. A senior C++ programmer can foresee the bottlenecks and resolve them before they happen.
Skills required for Senior C++ developer include:
- Excellent skills in C++ and Unix
- Profound understanding of RDBMS databases
- Experiences in multiple IDEs (Visual Studio, Eclipse, NetBeans, Xcode, etc.)
- Working with various testing and debugging tools
- Deep knowledge of development methodologies and Software Configuration Management (SCM)
- Knowledge and experience in C tools and the Boost and Qt libraries
- Knowledge of C++ compliant languages such as Java, C, Python, etc.
- Strong understanding of agile software development
- Ability to determine quality and security standards of the project
- Robust skills in database administration
Sourcing C++ Developer Talent
Once you have determined what type of C++ developer you need, it’s high time to look for the one that meets your project requirements best. Here are the most popular sources to check.
- Tech communities. C++ has a strong community that involves developers with different levels of expertise. Network communication helps its members generate new ideas and find solutions to challenging issues. The most popular communities are GitHub, StackOverflow, Reddit, Kaggle, etc.
- Freelance websites and platforms. There is a vast variety of freelance sites offering a rich talent pool of C++ developers for businesses of different scales and scopes. The main freelance platforms are Freelancer, Upstack, Fiverr, etc.
- Outsourcing companies. These companies have a vast number of specialists and provide C++ software development services across various business domains.
Finding the Right Developer For Your Company
To find the most suitable C++ developer for your business you need to analyze the candidate’s competency at three main stages.
CV Assessment
While evaluating candidates’ CVs, make sure their skill set corresponds to the level of proficiency your project requires. When it comes to certificates, they can be considered as an extra benefit, but their absence doesn’t necessarily mean that a developer lacks particular knowledge.
Technical Test
Conduct the screening of your potential candidates’ technical expertise to analyze their merits and drawbacks and find out if their coding skills meet your project demands. Many coding test platforms such as HackerRank, CoderByte, etc. can help you in that.
Personal Interview
Nothing can help better to select the right developer than a face-to-face interview. It lets you evaluate candidates’ skills at a more in-depth level. Moreover, it’s a good way to analyze their personal traits, work ethic, and understand whether they fit into your company environment. To conduct a productive interview you need to prepare questions to define developers’ skills and experience. They may include:
- What projects were you engaged in before? What challenges did you face?
It will let you clear up candidates’ experience, level of their expertise, and ability to troubleshoot.
- What is pointer arithmetic?
These and other technical questions will help you assess the candidate’s understanding of C++ and its core features.
- What technologies and IDEs are you familiar with?
This question specifies the candidate’s tech stack and technical skills. A C++ software engineer should know the most common C++ IDEs (Visual Studio and Eclipse), RDBMS databases (SQL, NoSQL), operating systems (Linux, Unix), etc.
Conclusion
C++ is an appealing solution for many companies. It helps businesses build flexible, fast, and secure software. It can be deployed for both tasks that require high performance, such as games, video and image editing, and for low-performance solutions.
When hiring a C++ developer, you need to form your project goals and requirements, search for the optimal candidate using various sources, and select the one conducting a multi-stage interview. This way, you will employ the best specialist that will help you build robust, efficient, and secure software products.