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Table of Contents

Introduction

What is a software developer? Software development is the process of developing applications and making them available in the market.

What is a Software Developer?

A software developer is a professional with expertise in computer science, engineering and technology who can write code based on various requests from different companies or organizations. They also develop software to solve a particular problem.

Most IT professionals are not familiar with the term programming. However, programmers have technical skills that are required to develop websites, web pages, applications and other projects. As compared to designers, they are more involved in planning and designing work as well as in conceptualizing future versions of a certain program or application. This is one reason why there is a demand for programmers who can perform both tasks.

Another skill needed by a programmer is the ability to understand the Windows operating systems. This is a necessary skill because it determines the compatibility of computer programs with the operating systems. A web developer must also understand HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other web programming skills that are necessary to build websites, web pages and other computer programs. If a web developer cannot read and comprehend the Windows server specifications, he/she will not be able to build programs for that system.

There are two types of programmers namely desktop computer programmers and network computer programmers. Desktop computer programmers use programs written in the C language while network computer programmers use ones written in Java, C#, PHP, Perl and Pearl. Desktop computer programmers can perform basic operations such as reading and writing, printing and editing while network computer programmers can perform more sophisticated operations such as changing the system configurations and performing complex tasks. Network computer programmers are better equipped with technical skills such as how to configure, create and change network devices such as file servers and networks. Network computer programmers are more capable of handling security issues such as identifying malicious files and software applications as well as monitoring and controlling the security levels of networks. Computer programing skills are required to implement new software programs.

An information technology (IT) software engineer designs and implements computer systems that allow users to interact with information stored in the company’s database. Information technology software engineers can implement application solutions which integrate hardware and software to make information accessible to users. They are usually employed by large companies and universities to create business applications.

Software Engineers implement software development and software testing in order to provide quality software products to their clients. These engineers can work as standalone professionals or as part of a team of other software developers and testers. A good software engineer must possess knowledge of different programming languages and the ability to work according to deadlines. In addition, the software engineer must be highly organized and able to work under stressful conditions.

In contrast to the data analyst, a data analyst analyzes large sets of unorganized data in order to provide information that can help solve problems. They can be found in hospitals, law firms and corporations. These developers can work in conjunction with other professionals such as programmers and IT managers to develop and test software systems. This position requires great creativity and a wide range of technical skills. It is worth noting that although many software developers started out as data analysts, most continue to perform work as developers even after spending time as data analysts.

The job of a software engineer can be quite demanding and many software developers train as computer software engineers so as to specialize in particular areas within the field of information technology. Generally, an information technology (IT) software engineer has several sub-specialties. Chief among these is the software developer, who typically develops customer proprietary applications while also working as a system analyst. Other sub-specialties include network system designer, product developer, and information systems specialist.

Summary

What is a software developer? Software development is the process of developing applications and making them available in the market.

Next Steps

If you're interested in learning more about the basics of programming, coding, and software development, check out our Coding Essentials Guidebook for Developers, where we cover the essential languages, concepts, and tools that you'll need to become a professional developer.

Thanks and happy coding! We hope you enjoyed this article. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to jacob@initialcommit.io.

Final Notes