Hey guys,

I'm new to this sub and, like many here, I'm learning to code from home. The language I've chosen is Java since it seemed like a widely used language, I looked for job applications before starting a course and picked Java because I saw jobs for it far more than other languages in my area.

So the past 6 months I've been following a course and I've been actively learning by trying to make small simple programs with the knowledge in the course.

I've almost finished the course and so far I've been able to complete all assignments and I've been able to write some simple programs, f.e. A budgeting app I made purely for myself.

Now the thing is: I don't have the slightest clue what an actual job as a programmer entails. I feel like I've firmly grasped most of the Java core concepts but yet I have no way of telling what my level is in the professional field.

What worries me mostly is that it's never just Java that one needs to know. Most jobs I come across require a bunch of other indirect skills like knowing Git and Github, some experience with SQL (whatever that is) or some other language or program. None of that came with the course, it was purely about Java, so I feel like I'm reading Chinese when I see some of those job descriptions.

Which brings me to the title. Right now I feel like a guy who knows a couple of lines of code, but when I see words like SQL and whatever else there is, I still feel as clueless as 6 months ago. The job descriptions make me feel like I've barely scratched the tip of the iceberg.

So what skills and programs make the actual difference between just knowing Java and knowing how to be a developer?

Would love to hear your thoughts on this!