As you’re reading this article on your desktop computer, tablet, or mobile phone, it may not have crossed your mind why you’re able to read it. And this is where the indispensable role of software developers comes into play. These computer engineers are the brains behind many technological developments in the world, which we have come to rely on. 

In fact, research points out that after software developers and engineers, the world’s top five most in-demand professions are web app developers, electronics and mechanical engineers, nurses and doctors. These software developers are in such high demand that the job outlook is predicted to rise by 25% by 2031. 

As such, it’s critical to find the right software developers for your organization and we at StorsenDigital can help. Read on to find out more about this critical role. 

What is a software developer and where do they work?

We all know what software is but do we know what goes on behind the scenes of getting the right software to use at our fingertips without any bugs or issues in the software? This is where software developers come in. 

These specialists combine computer programming expertise together with soft skills as they design, develop, test, write, modify, and debug software while navigating the complex landscape of communication with organizational leadership, team members, and a variety of other stakeholders. 

Although the software developer role may seem simple at first glance, it is actually more complicated than this because there are four primary types of software developers. These are systems developers, web developers, mobile developers, and test automation developers. You, therefore, need to know exactly what sort of skill set you require in your software developer so that you can select the right one for your project. 

As for where software developers can be found in terms of industries, the list is practically endless. Employers of software developers can include software development companies, financial services and banks, technology consultancies, telecommunications organizations, the government and the public sector, healthcare, IT, manufacturing, media, utilities, defense, aerospace, and many others. 

What does a software developer do?

With the critical role that software developers play in multiple different organizational settings, these brilliant minds perform a variety of different tasks. These may range from assessing new and current software systems to performing maintenance by identifying and correcting errors or defects. They also create code for new software and updates alongside a multitude of other functionalities that include:

• Improving existing computer systems

• Creating operational manuals and systems specifications

• Consulting with stakeholders

• Submitting reports on the project’s progress
• And many others (which we will cover in more detail below).

The different types of software

Also worth considering as an organization seeking your next software developer is the type of software that you want to be developed because there are several different types of software. Here are a few examples.

System software provides “core” or “internal” functions that may include aspects of operating systems, disk management, hardware management, etc. Programming software gives programmers and debuggers the tools to create code. Application software assists users in performing necessary tasks. These can include aspects of data management software, media players, and security programs. 

There is also embedded software, which is used to control machines and devices that are generally not computers. Examples may include telecoms networks, vehicles, industrial robots, etc. And finally, there is network software. This coordinates communication between the various computers which are linked in a network. 

The advantages of software development and its life cycle

As alluded to earlier, software development goes through various phases of each project, which is also called a software development life cycle. Among the advantages of this life cycle include that the software developed by the software developers is capable of being implemented correctly. 

It also offers clear goal descriptions, accurate testing prior to installation, clear stage progression, team member and stakeholder flexibility, and ultimately – the result of ensuring that projects can always be improved upon until they are perfect. 

It’s also worth noting that one member of the team will not jeopardize the project timeline, meaning that as a team effort, tasks can be juggled around more effectively. 

As for the life cycle or stages of software development, the most noteworthy and frequently recognized ones are planning, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Said differently, the process involves project specification, followed by design and implementation, validation, and its ultimate evolution. 

But what makes a “good” code after such a project has been implemented? The answer is three-fold. It needs to run fast. It needs to take up less memory. And finally, it needs to be stable. 

The hard, soft, and miscellaneous skills required

It is self-evident that being a software developer requires a series of “hard” or “technical” skills such as programming, having good knowledge of data structures and algorithms, familiarity with databases, object-oriented design (OOD), testing and debugging, etc.

As for soft skills, which are also crucial to a software developer’s role, important skills such as those listed below will come in handy when recruiting your next software developer:

• Effective written and verbal communication
• Relationship management
• Conflict resolution
• Interpersonal skills
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Attention to detail
• Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
• Time management
• Multitasking
• Adaptable 
• Possessing business acumen
• Continuous learning and growth
• Creativity and innovation
• Ownership

As for the miscellaneous skills which are nice-to-haves for a software developer, these include cloud computing and cyber security, knowledge of the full stack, containers, IDEs, object-oriented programming, computer networks, scripting, etc.

The general roles and responsibilities of a software developer

On any given day, a software developer will work with multiple stakeholders on various different tasks. Some of these may include:

• Managing the entire software development life cycle
• Developing standard operating procedures
• Writing code 
• Working with development tools
• Working with multiple stakeholders on the project
• Developing software solutions through information systems and their design
• App analysis and recommendations for their improvement
• Studying user data and systems flows as well as user feedback
• Technical designs and development
• Documenting processes 
• Running systems analysis
• Testing and debugging
• Integrations with third-party programs
• Recommend improvements
• Create technical documents for smoother reporting

Concluding remarks

It’s easy to see why software developers are so indispensable across multiple organizations. They play a fundamental role in getting the software ready either for internal or external use. We’d be lost without software in our tech-driven world. Software developers who are looking for new opportunities or organizations that need their help will be well-placed to take a look at the Talents section on our website. We offer opportunities for both individuals and organizations with quality always being top of mind.