10 Types of Software Developers

Introduction

Software Developers

What is software development? The collective processes involved in creating software programs, running through the whole system development life cycle. The first programming language, “Brief Code” was first developed in 1949. Since then, software development has grown to titanic proportions. Programming languages have increased in number, complexity and scope and used world wide on a daily basis by hundreds of thousands institutions, organizations, teams and individuals. Naturally, software developers have a bigger role in our society than they ever did before.

In this article, we will discover ten different types of software developers. We are going to learn about the top dogs of software development, front end developers, back end developers and mobile app developers and application developers. We will then go deeper, and learn about data science software developers, systems developers, API developers. The article will finish by giving you a look of embedded systems developers, security software developers and finally cloud computing developers.

Front End & Back End Developers

A front end developer is the developer who builds and designs websites – which is what most people imagine when they are thinking of developers. They are usually using HTML, CSS and Java to translate code into a website. A front end developer implements all the visual elements users see and interact with on a given website – he is thus directly responsible for the websites user facing functionality. It is a job position that simultaneously requires refined technical skill as well as creative vision.

Front end developers work closely with back end developers. A back end developer‘s primary role is to ensure the data requested by the front end system created by a front end developer are delivered through programmatic means. They create and maintain the entire back end of a system, consisting of core application logic, data and application integration, databases as well as other, different back end processes. They are also responsible for testing and subsequently fixing any potential bugs of a back end system.

Application Developers & Mobile App Developers

An application developer works to translate software requirements to programming code. They often develop new programs – otherwise known as apps or applications – to be used by businesses. Usually, they are specialised in a specific field – like mobile phone apps, as we will describe below – but they can have a general understanding of a plethora of different fields. Other examples of such fields are graphics software and accounting software. Their chief responsibility is to create a program that performs a specific task, as per the requirements of their client.

With the ever growing number of smartphone users, mobile app development is ripe with opportunity. A mobile app developer is exactly what he sounds like: A developer of mobile apps. Instagram, snapchat, tinder are all the creations of mobile app developers. This type of software development is full of diverse opportunities, as hundreds of companies enter the mobile market on a daily basis.

Data Science & Systems Developers

software development

A data scientist is a software developer that creates systems that capture, store, visualise and analyse complex data. They are expected to be able to interpret said information and aid their clients or employers make more accurate and profitable business moves based on their gathered data. This type of software development is at the forefront of science and technology, and requires considerable technical expertise and strong analytical thinking.

A systems software developer, creates, maintains, audits and improves systems – usually as per the advice of a system analyst – in order to address the specific set of needs of their client or business. They write diagnostic programs, design and write the code for operating systems and work to maximize efficiency. They sometimes take a consulting role, making recommendations for future developments. Their work is highly technical, and involves heavy use of computer science as well as mathematics in a rapidly changing environment.

API Developers & Embedded Systems Developers

An API developer (Application Programming Interface) builds programs that act in synergy, similar to puzzle pieces, accross different operating systems, including mobile and desktop. Their work allows other types of developers to increact with the tools and functions the API relates to. The most common languages used are C and C++.

An embedded systems software developer designs and codes software that work for non computer devices. A common example of such software are programs that control the guidance systems of military devices. This type of software developer employs assembly languages, C, and other, unique languages. In order to be a successful embedded software developer, it is imperative to have a keen eye for detail and be a problem solver at heart. It is a job with often stressful conditions, therefore the capacity to remain calm under pressure is also recommended.

Security Software Developers & Cloud Computing Developers

A security software developer has two main goals: The creation of new security software and checking existing software for security issues, and resolving them as they pop up. In order to produce reliable and strong security software, they perform security analysis and build defences and countermeasures during the course of design and development. They may be required to design new, prototype solutions to security issues or offer expert, consulting advice on security strategy. A thorough understanding and knowledge of attack vectors that can be potentially used to exploit software is a given. A security software developer can find employment relatively easy in both the private and public sector.

Cloud computing, essentially, is the process with allows products, services, solutions and informations to be accessed real time over the Internet. A cloud computing software developer, thus, works to streamline, automate and simplify this process. A cloud developer has a great deal of responsibilities that seem to be increasing as years pass: Project managing, software tools and subsystems designing and managing data storage are few of them. Naturally, finding a job as a cloud developer requires a significant investment in acquiring all these skills However, cloud computing professionals are well compensated, and demand for them seems to be on the rise.

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