“The need for web developers is constantly growing. This is already a very noticeable trend because more and more customers tend to transfer some cloud computing simply into a browser. Consequently, jobs will only increase for those who know 3D graphics and algorithms and can work with the web,” says Engineering Software Department Director Oleksandr Syniakov.

At AMC Bridge, developers can master the web while working on a client project. Senior Software Development Engineer Mykola Lysenko has already used such an opportunity. We asked him whether it is easy to learn new technologies, how long it takes, and what to pay attention to.

Oleksandr Syniakov, Engineering Software Department Director

During the last eighteen months, we have been observing the following trend: everything is going to the web, to cloud computing. The explanation is easy—the web works on any platform—tablet, phone, browser. Although, web calculations take a little more time. We currently have projects with complex mathematics calculated in JavaScript, which we had not done before.

The demand for web specialists is constantly growing; we can see it. Why? Not to spend money on cloud computing. Let’s consider the following workflow: when you use a browser, a request goes from the browser to a server, which calculates the request and returns a result. What will be if to simplify this workflow so that the browser does the calculation? Then, you will not pay for cloud computing. The drawback is that such code becomes open. Despite this, we see that recently complex mathematics is at least partially allocated to the browser. The same applies to 3D graphics. Yes, it is slower, but you get all advantages of working with the web.

Thus, we can now talk about two main vectors. The first is math, geometry, algorithms, and JavaScript; that is, calculations can be carried to the web using JavaScript. The second is 3D graphics plus the web, which is also very interesting.

And here’s an emerging need for developers that are not only good at geometry but also know how to write in JavaScript. That’s how the idea arose to offer the AMC Bridge developers to learn the web while working on a client project with relevant technologies. Specialists used to work with C++, for example, already know algorithms and geometry and have a wide range of knowledge. Pump the web—and you’ll be in the trend.

How does this happen? The company has a 3D CAD project purely on the web. A new developer on the project is assigned to simple tasks at first. The workload increases gradually. Yes, on the one hand, it is very unusual for somebody who worked with C++ or .NET because you should have to think entirely differently. And on the other hand, you get familiar with how to write web applications, their architecture, and frameworks. If there is a desire to understand everything, it will turn out that everything is not so scary!

Mykola Lysenko, Senior Software Development Engineer

An HR specialist offered me to get busy with the web and work with 3D. As my current project was ending, and there were no new C++ projects for me then, I decided to take this opportunity. I became very interested in 3D because it is challenging and exciting. Additionally, these skills are highly valued nowadays.

Previously, I took an introductory JavaScript course on my own in my spare time. Once I got into the project, I was already working with technologies new to me: TypeScript and JavaScript frameworks. In general, I can’t say that I treated the work on the project as a study. As this was a customer project, it was necessary to learn the technologies used in it. I immediately received tasks to do. First of all, I decided to familiarize myself with presentations to understand the product and its business logic because technology is just a tool. Knowing the subject you are working with—the product itself—is crucial.

I used to work with C++, C#, Haxe, and Python. As for TypeScript, I became interested in functional programming. I was familiar with the basic principles because I read books about functional programming in C++ and used it a little.

In the beginning, my team leader was a kind of mentor to me: I was always able to ask the TL whenever something was unclear. The team was happy to help too. The teamwork was perfectly organized. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to show myself. Learning 3D and TypeScript in my spare time shortened my study period to about a month. Over time, I was assigned to lead a small team of two people.

The more technologies you know, the faster you learn new ones. You just need to try harder, spend a little free time, and, of course, have an interest in these technologies. I like the web, in particular, because the development is swift: you can check everything immediately. I’m glad I got this opportunity and consider it always worth a try.