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If you’ve been in the industry long enough, you know how easy it is to confuse software developers and programmers. The easiest way to tell the difference is by the scope of work. A developer is the more experienced (and naturally more skillful) version of a programmer. When someone is a programmer or a “coder,” as the industry now calls it, the scope of work is limited to coding.
A developer, however, does everything a programmer can and then some. In addition to writing codes to build software, websites, or mobile apps, a developer runs analysis and testing to ensure the product launches without a glitch.
Most people just don’t realize how important software developers are for modern civilization. We sometimes take for granted things that software developers helped create. For example, the detailed maps on your car or the notification system on your phone? Some software developers built them from scratch. And when you turn on your laptop to write a report, reply to emails, and have an online conference – developers make all those things easy for you to do.
During the weekend, you probably spend the morning taking a stroll in the park before making a stop at a coffee shop. Since you didn’t take your wallet, you pay with an app on your phone. On the way home, a coworker sends you a link to a website where you can read some healthy homemade lunch recipes; you tap it, and voila, the page also has a video tutorial on how to prepare the meals. When you finally sit down on the couch in front of the TV, you’ve come to realize that software developers are the true masterminds of all the applications you can’t live without.
You need that kind of software developer – a professional who has a creative mind and the technical competence to make ideas into reality. Most employers might expect developers to sit at their desks and write codes for programs all day. Well, they actually do most of the time, but the job roles are much more demanding than that. In addition to creating new software, they are often tasked with improving or maintaining an already launched program.
In some companies, software developers are project managers who oversee the work of programmers. A typical software development project begins with an analysis of how the customers (or end-users) plan to use the product. An analysis tells the developers what features to include, how the user interface should look, what kind of hardware resources the software will need, what type of security protocols to use, and other requirements.
If the company is small enough that there are only a few developers on the team, they may write the code themselves. But they’re normally the team leaders whose jobs are to research and design software. Once the design is ready, programmers write the computer codes, under the supervision of software developers, to build it.
The next thing to do is test the software for mistakes. Developers make documentation of every procedure and notify the programmers about any potential problems, security risks, flaws, or shortcomings of all sorts. They also check usability and functionality to identify interface (UI) issues and other difficulties that end-users might have. Of course, it's not just about pointing out where things go wrong but also making suggestions on how to fix all the problems. Then, programmers modify the codes and report back to developers. The process will happen repeatedly over the course of a project until the software is ready to launch.
After the software hits the market, developers and programmers continue to collaborate on maintenance and upgrades. Unless you've been living completely off the grid for the last decade or so, you know that some applications and software need frequent updates, including security patches to keep them safe from malware or viruses and feature updates to gain a competitive advantage. The work of a software developer is never truly done until the software itself reaches the end of its lifecycle, where it becomes obsolete.
Entry-level coders can get by with just one programming language, but software developers have to be versatile in what they do. Versatility means having practical knowledge of two or more programming languages, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Java, C#, and Python. They also need technical competence in data structures and algorithms as well as software security.
When hiring programmers for entry-level positions, ideally, you want them to have a bachelor’s degree in IT and computer science or related fields, such as mathematics and engineering. Some software developer positions, especially if the job role includes project management, are best reserved for candidates with a master’s degree. Under the guidance of an experienced developer, entry-level programmers can advance to higher levels and eventually become developers themselves.
A programmer with a bachelor's degree doesn't usually need a certification in computer science when applying for work. While a certification is not generally required for most entry-level positions, it can be a useful extra credential that speaks to the candidate's level of expertise. A typical employer would choose an applicant with certifications over those without. More importantly, certifications can benefit self-taught programmers. They have no educational degree beyond a high school diploma, so certifications might be their only tools to prove their expertise to employers.
Mid-career software developers can also pursue certifications in programming languages or new technologies to update their skills and prepare for better opportunities if available. They might not be looking for new jobs but will consider a better offer when it comes their way. Software developers are in high demand these days. Even developers in their late careers can move to new companies, let alone mid-career ones. Some of the most common certifications in computer science are:
Most certifications in computer science must be renewed every three years.
Based on the 2022 educational attainment data by BLS, about 9.3% of employed software developers had no degree at all. The percentage included software developers without a high school diploma, with a high school diploma or equivalent, and the “some college, no degree” category.
For a programmer, it’s possible. While a self-taught programmer is not likely convincing enough, a certification from a reputable organization is proof that the candidate has expertise in the field.
If you're hiring an entry-level programmer, what you need is a person with programming skills, and that's about it. Most self-taught coders understand general-purpose programming languages such as Python, Java, and JavaScript. In other words, for entry-level positions, you want candidates who know their way around at least those three languages. Some self-taught coders specialize in programming languages for mobile app development, including Kotlin for Android and Swift for iOS.
Things are quite different when you're hiring for software developer positions. As mentioned before, developers are essentially experienced coders, so they must be familiar with advanced-level programming languages as well, for example, C, C#, C++, and R. The most skillful software developers also have the know-how in complex tools such as Scala, Scheme, Haskell, and Standard ML. You should only hire a developer when the job role needs someone to do not only coding but also software design and testing. If coding is what you want, hire a programmer. Otherwise, it might be a waste of talent and money.
Developers are more expensive than programmers simply because they have a more complete skill set. Programming skills are the non-negotiable parts of the job. Both developers and programmers have to do coding. However, you should expect developers to know more programming languages and have longer experience than programmers.
The next big thing is the ability to communicate effectively with people. As part of the role, software developers are tasked with giving instructions to programmers. They have to explain to their teams how things work and provide technical support for them. When their superiors have questions about a project, the developers should be able to deliver concise answers and not always in a technical fashion. In some cases, they also have to maintain communication with clients. Good communication skills allow developers to be good researchers and understand what people want in an application or software. Even if they work alone, they’re creating software for a diverse audience.
In the United States, software developers make an annual median income of $127,260. In fact, some of the most skillful of them can earn more than $198,000 per year. Skills and experience are important, but where they work also has something to do with the salary. The highest-paying employers are from the following industries.
Software developers are the highest-rated technology job and the second-best STEM job, according to the U.S. News and World Report. On a scale of 1 – 10, the profession scores 8 in terms of salary and 8.3 in the future growth category. The publication further adds that it's basically a high-paying job but can be pretty demanding.
The short answer is that we have thousands of active and passive talents from all over the world ready to take on the challenge. Programmers and software developers have always been in high demand, and there is no sign of slowing down. If we can be brutally honest, there just aren’t enough candidates to fill all the available jobs.
Most of the talents in our network have bachelor's or master's degrees; some are pursuing advanced degrees, but all will welcome new career opportunities that fit their experience levels. They have collective ability in a range of specializations, including IT, programming, software design, cloud computing, security, and big data, to name a few.
When we look for talents to fill developer or programmer positions in your company, we focus on two things: educational background along with real-world coding experience and project management. Whether you want fresh talents who graduated from reputable schools, a rock star programmer with no degree, an experienced developer with a long list of track records, or everything else in between, rest assured that Cad Crowd can give you a custom staffing solution prepared only to cater to your needs. Give us a call at your convenience and we'll give you a detailed walkthrough of how everything works and a free quote on top of that.
Ready to propel your projects into the digital future? Cad Crowd is here to connect you with the software development expertise you need to succeed. Our tailored staffing solutions bridge the gap between your innovative ideas and our network of elite software developers. Don't let the complexities of technology slow your progress. Partner with us today, and let's turn your vision into groundbreaking digital solutions that set new standards in your industry. Reach out to Cad Crowd, and take the first step towards transforming your digital aspirations into tangible successes.
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