Tools & technologies software engineers should know

In the ever-evolving, competitive technological landscape, it is imperative to stay updated and relevant. It is the only key to unlocking lucrative career prospects ahead. With the latest tools and technologies emerging as innovative solutions to complex tech challenges, it helps to have a fair understanding of how they work. These tools can help Software Engineers in several ways – boost productivity, improve team collaboration, and enhance software quality. This blog looks closer at the essential tools for Software Engineers that are good to know for current and future career advancement.

Tools for Software Engineers

Staying updated with the use of the latest tools for Software Engineers is a boon for better productivity and quality of the software developed. Listed below are the 5 essential tools that are good to know:

1. Docker: This is one of the must-know tech for developers – a platform that enables them to design, deploy, and run apps in isolated environments. This further helps ensure consistency of the software across different systems. 

2. GitHub: This platform facilitates collaboration and version control, helping developers track changes, manage code repositories, and foster team collaboration on projects. 

3. Postman: This is yet another must-know tech for developers that makes it easier for them to create, test, and debug APIs. A helpful tool for testing API, this tool is a must-know for backend and full-stack developers. 

4. Visual Studio Code: The VS Code is a lightweight but powerful code editor tool that helps developers edit code in a simplified manner. The tool comes with a host of debugging tools, extensive extensions, and Git integration. 

5. JIRA: Perhaps the most popular and a must-know tech for developers, JIRA is a highly popular project management tool that also helps identify issues/bugs and is commonly used in Agile development processes. Last on our software engineering tools list, but not the least, JIRA tool enables teams to manage sprints, tasks, and software development workflows effectively.

Programming languages & frameworks

The above section covered the software engineering tools list that all Software Engineers must update themselves with for a rewarding career path. Let us now look at some of the key programming languages and frameworks that are equally essential to know:

• Java: The first on our must-know software engineering tools list is the Java programming language, which is highly popular among Software Engineers and programmers. Java is commonly used in Android development, enterprise applications, and backend services.

• Python: One of the widely used key technologies for coders, Python has found immense use in data science, we development, automation, and AI tasks for coders and Software Engineers. A broad knowledge of the language can be highly helpful to compete in the evolving software arena.

• C++: It is highly effective in system programming, development of games, and other performance-critical applications. It is thus counted among the few key technologies for coders. 

• React.js: It is one of the most popular front-end frameworks for Software Engineers and a JavaScript library that facilitates engineers to build dynamic web interfaces. It is ideal for modern web applications that are fast and interactive.    

• Ruby on Rails: The last on our list of key technologies for coders is RoR, a popular framework used by Software Engineers for quick development of web applications.  It is widely propelling platforms such as  Shopify, GitHub, and Airbnb. 

Cloud & DevOps technologies

Let us now take a look at the popular Dev tools in 2025 that software engineers must learn to excel in their careers:

• Google Cloud Platform (GCP): This technology is widely used in data analytics fields, AI, and Kubernetes support.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS): One of the most popular Dev tools in 2025, AWS is a leading provider of cloud services, such as scalable storage, computing, and AI. 
• Oracle Cloud: This is a robust DevOps tool offering enterprise cloud solutions and database services. 
• Jenkins: A famous CI/CD tool, it is used to automate key functions such as designing, testing, and deploying of pipelines.
• Ansible: This is also amongst the popular Dev tools in 2025 that is used to automate IT infrastructure. It is one of the widely used tools for configuration management.

Databases & storage solutions

In addition to the tools and technologies defined above, Software Engineers must also have a good knowledge of the various databases and storage solutions used in organizations. They are a crucial component of modern software applications and enable efficient data retrieval, management, and storage. Some of the key databases and storage solutions are defined below:

• MySQL: This is an open-source relational database popular for scalability, reliability, and ease of use. It is thus largely used in web applications.
• Oracle Database: This is yet another efficient relational database that is generally used in large-scale apps. It guarantees Software Engineers a high level of security and improved performance.
• Google Cloud Storage: One of the most popular and widely used cloud storage systems that offers users flexibility by allowing multiple classes for cost-effective data management. 
• Amazon S3: This is a cloud object storage that is easily scalable and can thus be used for analyzing, backing up, and hosting static data or content. 

Testing & debugging tools

These are other prerequisites for Software Engineers to advance on their career paths. Identifying potential issues or bugs in the software they develop and devising effective strategies to debug is a crucial part of a Software Engineer’s job. Certain tools, such as those listed below, can help simplify this role:

• TestNG: This is one of the more advanced Java testing frameworks that has the capability of parallel execution. It thus facilitates issue detection and application of solution to resolve the issue simultaneously. 

• Cypress: Based on JavaScript, this is a modern end-to-end testing framework used commonly for testing issues or bugs in web applications. 

• Valgrind: It is a popular memory debugging tool used for C or C++ applications. 

•  PyCharm Debugger: This is a common integrated debugging tool essentially used for Python-based applications.

Productivity & project management tools

There are some tools that Software Engineers can use to boost productivity, manage projects better, and improve team collaboration and overall focus. Some of the best-known tools for improved productivity and project management are:

• Jira: Perhaps one of the most popular project management tools, Jira is considered the best for planning sprints, agile development, and tracking of issues or bugs in projects.

• ClickUp: This is a one-stop solution for project management and can easily be customized to meet specific project requirements.

• Monday.com: Yet another flexible tool used for project management by Software Engineers, it helps with visual tracking of projects. 

• Evernote: This is one of the most widely used productivity tools in software engineering, helping professionals take notes. It comes with tagging and search capabilities, further enhancing the exercise of note-taking.

• Raycast: Complete with integrations and automation features, Raycast is a popular productivity tool for Mac users. 

Emerging technologies & future trends  

The rapid evolution of technology and dynamic industry trends are propelling fast developments in the software engineering area. Some of the key ones shaping the future of software development are highlighted below:

• Cloud-based computing: Azure Functions and AWS Lambda have brought in serverless and cloud-native computing. The software industry is widely adopting Kubernetes for scalable architectures.

• AI-driven development: With AI becoming fast and popular, automated testing and debugging tools using AI are largely used for optimizing workflows. Likewise, AI code assistants such as ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot are used for improving the efficiency of coding tasks.

• Low-code and no-code platforms: This is yet another future trend expected in the software development industry with the evolution of technology. There is increased integration expected with automation and enterprise software tools and a rapid app development for non-technical users with the emergence of low-code or no-code platforms.   

Conclusion

Mastering the right tools and technologies is vital for software engineers to stay efficient and relevant in the dynamic technological industry. Staying up to date with the newly emerging trends ensures adaptability and unlocks more lucrative career opportunities for Software Engineers.

Upskilling with professional courses in software development is yet another great way to ensure that you stay relevant in the industry. Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) offers an online MCA to empower learners in the dynamic IT industry. The comprehensive industry-relevant curriculum of the two-year postgraduate degree ensures that you get the desired boost in your IT career and learn cutting-edge skills in the field of software development.