01/08/2025
🎯 SDE Roadmap — The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Software Development Engineer
Let’s break it down step-by-step 👇
1️⃣ Master a Programming Language (Start Here)
📌 Choose 1 language and go deep — recommended: Java, Python, C++, or JavaScript
Learn:
Variables, loops, functions
OOP (Encapsulation, Inheritance, Polymorphism)
Recursion, Exception handling
File I/O
Goal: Be able to build basic apps, solve problems with confidence.
2️⃣ Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA)
📌 Most important skill for SDE interviews!
Learn:
Arrays, Strings, Linked Lists
Stacks, Queues, HashMaps
Trees, Graphs, Heaps
Searching, Sorting, Recursion
Dynamic Programming, Greedy, Sliding Window, Two Pointers
Practice:
LeetCode, GFG, CodeStudio, InterviewBit
Goal: 300+ quality problems + strong patterns = confidence in interviews.
3️⃣ Object-Oriented Design & System Design Basics
Learn how to structure your code like an engineer.
Understand:
Classes & Objects, SOLID Principles
Low-level design (e.g., Parking Lot, Tic Tac Toe)
High-level design (e.g., URL Shortener, Rate Limiter)
Resources: "Grokking the System Design Interview", Excalidraw, Design Gurus
4️⃣ Build Projects — Real-World Skills
📌 Projects help showcase your skills beyond DSA.
Build:
To-Do App (Frontend + Backend)
REST APIs using Node/Python/Java
E-commerce System (Cart, Auth, Payment)
Blogging System with Database
Deploy on Vercel, Netlify, Render, or Railway
Bonus: Add Git, CI/CD, Testing, and Docker where possible.
5️⃣ Master Core CS Subjects (Ask in Interviews)
Key topics:
OS: Process, Threads, Deadlock, Scheduling
DBMS: SQL, Joins, Normalization, Transactions
CN: HTTP, TCP/IP, DNS, Load Balancing
OOP: Principles, Design Patterns
Goal: Be ready for theory rounds at MAANG/startups.
6️⃣ Competitive Programming (Optional but Great)
📌 CP sharpens your problem-solving speed.
Practice on:
Codeforces, AtCoder, Leetcode Weekly
Participate in contests (companies notice this!)
7️⃣ Resume + GitHub + LinkedIn Optimization
📌 Build a 1-page resume highlighting:
Projects with tech stack, impact, links
DSA scores (LeetCode/CodeChef)
Internships or open-source contributions
GitHub: Make repos clean, with README & demo
LinkedIn: Add SDE keyword, showcase projects, write weekly posts
8️⃣ Mock Interviews & Soft Skills
📌 Practice behavioral & HR rounds too.
Prepare:
Tell me about yourself
STAR method for behavioral answers
Why this company? Why this role?
Use Pramp, Exercism, or peer mocks via LinkedIn
9️⃣ Apply, Apply, Apply!
🎯 Target:
Product Companies
Fintech/AI startups
Remote & Internships (early-stage ones are gold!)
Tip: Track your applications using Google Sheets or Notion.
🔖 Save this for your SDE prep journey
📝 Credits: Suraj Dubey