Junior .NET Developer in ERP System Development

Abstract

This thesis documented the professional journey of a junior software developer at Pinja Group, a Finnish technology company specializing in digital solutions for the forestry and timber industries, over an eight-week period from January 16 to March 12, 2025. The main objective was to create a resource for aspiring developers, including technical reports on daily tasks and reflections on personal growth, to offer insights into moving from classroom knowledge to workplace practices. The theoretical basis was built on .NET technologies, including C#, Visual Basic, Windows Presentation Foundation, Windows Forms, and SQL Server, along with concepts of object-oriented programming and design patterns. Methods used included developing features, debugging, testing, and working with cross-functional teams, using tools like Visual Studio Code, Git, Subversion, Slack, and Confluence. Materials consisted of existing codebases, API documentation, and internal project specifications for tasks such as dynamic currency formatting, EU Deforestation Regulation compliance, and Visma Sign integration. Main outcomes included creating reusable currency methods for different system layers, improving data tracking for regulatory compliance, and building user-friendly electronic document-signing interfaces. Challenges, such as handling mixed-language codebases and fixing data synchronization problems, were solved using careful debugging and standardization methods. The project showed that practical experience greatly improved technical skills and professional confidence, with clear communication and detailed documentation being vital for team trust and project success. Future development plans suggested exploring real-time input checks and advanced design patterns to enhance system scalability and maintenance, offering guidance for developers in similar roles.