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What Does a Software Developer Do? And Is It Still a Good Career?

August 5, 2024 | Activate Learning | 8 min read

If you enjoy... 

  • Puzzles 
  • Thinking creatively 
  • Challenging yourself 

...and haven't considered working as a software developer, you're missing out. 

Working in software offers no shortage of challenges that deliver swift, objective feedback validating whether or not you've arrived at a solution. As a developer, you're assigned to solve problems by tinkering with solutions until you've reached that eureka moment. 

Sound exciting, gratifying? It is. 

It's the best part of the job, according to Skillsoft's David Johnson, lead software engineer and DevOps facilitator (PSE). 

When asked what he enjoyed most, he responded with: "The ability to create something from scratch, see it work, puzzle out the parts that aren't quite right, then dazzle my stakeholders with a polished product. Unlike soft skill jobs, or things with subjective output, I get regular and immediate feedback on what I make: pass/fail is it working? Yup! I immediately see how my product improves the situation, and what neat new tricks it can perform as others add on." 

Developers must think creatively and devote time to continuous learning if they're to engineer customer-focused solutions. It's both the challenge and reward in this line of work. 

But, with AI automating some jobs, is it still a viable career? 

"Existing AI tools do not fully understand abstract concepts, context, and the nuances of human language and requirements. They also cannot make ethical decisions, consider the societal implications of a piece of software or innovate in the way humans can," writes Cory Althoff, Senior Vice President, Product Management, Data & Software at CompTIA. "Therefore, while generative AI can be a powerful tool in a software engineer's toolkit, helping to automate specific tasks and improving productivity, it is not likely to replace software engineers entirely." 

On the contrary, generative AI and copilots are making software developers more efficient at work, which Althoff speculates could lead to organizations pursuing more challenging projects in the future. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests a similar trend. 

According to the BLS, employment for software developers is projected to grow by 25% through 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations, and pays on average $130,160. This growth reflects the integral role of software in various sectors, necessitating a continuous pipeline of skilled professionals to develop, maintain, and improve software. 

So, is software development a viable career choice? With high average salaries and increasing demand, you could say it's a safe bet. 

As industries adapt to new technologies, the need for proficient software developers remains essential, making it a reliable and rewarding career choice moving forward. 

The real question: Is it right for you? 

Learn more about this career path below to make that call. 

What is a Software Developer? Different Types, Languages and Frameworks They Use

A software developer is a professional responsible for the design, implementation, testing, and maintenance of software applications or systems. They work with programming languages and development tools to create software that meets specific user needs or operational requirements. This role often requires collaboration with other stakeholders, such as project managers, designers, and quality assurance testers, to ensure that the final product functions as intended. 

Software developers can specialize in various domains, such as web development, mobile application development, or systems programming. Their work may involve both front-end development and back-end development, as is the case with full-stack developers. 

This career path offers opportunities for growth and specialization, making it a viable option for those with the appropriate technical and problem-solving abilities. There are several different kinds of software developers, each specializing in various aspects of development. Here are some of the main types: 

  • Front-End Developers: Focus on the user interface and user experience (UI/UX), working with languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript and frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js 
  • Back-End Developers: Handle server-side logic, databases, and application integration, working with languages like Java, Python, Ruby, PHP, and frameworks like Node.js, Django, or Spring 
  • Full-Stack Developers: Skilled in both front-end and back-end development, capable of managing entire projects from start to finish 
  • Mobile Developers: Specialize in developing applications for mobile devices, using platforms like iOS (Swift, Objective-C) and Android (Java, Kotlin) 
  • DevOps Engineers: Focus on bridging the gap between development and IT operations, implementing continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines and manage infrastructure using tools like Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins, and AWS 
  • Security Developers: Specialize in ensuring the security of software applications, conducting security audits, vulnerability assessments, and implement security protocols 
  • Data Scientists/Engineers: Deal with data collection, processing, and analysis, utilizing programming languages like Python, R, and tools like Hadoop, Spark, and SQL 
  • Game Developers: Focus on creating video games for various platforms, using game engines and frameworks like Unity, Unreal Engine, and programming languages like C++ and C# 
  • Embedded Systems Developers: Develop software for embedded systems, which are specialized computing systems within larger mechanical or electrical systems 
  • Cloud Developers: Specialize in cloud computing services, using platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and related technologies and tools 

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What Software Developers Do

Software developers create and maintain software applications or systems. They come up with the architecture, write and test the code, and debug it until everything is working as it should. But naturally, there's more to it. 

These professionals often work in cross-functional teams, requiring varying levels of collaboration on a day-to-day basis. Developers work with other junior or senior developers, of course, as well as project managers, design, marketing and sales professionals, and senior executives. 

They must understand product requirements and customer challenges to develop solutions. Along the way, developers must document their work and iterate their code to integrate new features, improve performance, and ensure compatibility with other systems. 

Certainly, there's nuance to every job, and as software developers specialize in technologies, languages, frameworks, industries, and so on, the responsibilities will vary. But here are common duties you'd face on the job as a software developer: 

  • Designing Software Solutions: Creating the architecture and specifications for new software applications. 
  • Writing and Testing Code: Developing code in various programming languages and conducting tests to ensure functionality. 
  • Debugging Applications: Identifying and resolving defects in software to enhance performance and reliability. 
  • Collaborating with Stakeholders: Working with project managers, designers, and quality assurance teams to align on project requirements and objectives. 
  • Conducting Code Reviews: Participating in reviews of peers' code for quality assurance and sharing best practices. 
  • Documentation: Creating and maintaining documentation for software design, code, and user manuals to aid understanding and future maintenance. 
  • Updating Existing Software: Maintaining and upgrading current applications by adding new features and improving existing functionalities. 
  • Staying Updated with Technology Trends: Continuously learning about new tools, technologies, and development practices to remain competitive in the field.

What Skills Do Software Developers Need? 

To excel as a software developer, a combination of technical and soft skills is crucial. Here's a breakdown of these essential skills: 

Technical Skills: 

  • Programming Languages: Proficiency in languages such as Java, Python, C#, or JavaScript is fundamental. 
  • Version Control Systems: Familiarity with tools like Git to manage code changes and collaborate with other developers effectively. 
  • Frameworks and Libraries: Understanding frameworks such as React, Angular, or Django can enhance development efficiency. 
  • Database Management: Knowledge of relational databases (like SQL) and NoSQL databases (like MongoDB) for managing data storage and retrieval. 
  • API Development: Skills in designing and implementing APIs for seamless communication between software components. 
  • Testing and Debugging: Ability to write unit tests and perform debugging to ensure software quality. 
  • Cloud Services: Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS or Azure for deploying and managing applications. 

Soft Skills: 

  • Problem-solving: Strong analytical skills to identify issues and develop effective solutions. 
  • Communication: Ability to articulate ideas clearly and collaborate with team members and stakeholders. 
  • Time Management: Skills in prioritizing tasks and managing time effectively to meet project deadlines. 
  • Adaptability: Openness to learning new technologies and adapting to changes within the tech landscape. 
  • Teamwork: Capable of working well within a collaborative environment, balancing individual tasks with group objectives. 

Professional Certifications for Software Developers 

Professional certifications come with many benefits to individuals and their employers. For individuals, they're a credible validation of one's expertise and skillset. Employers must fulfill client requirements and lend a competitive advantage over others. In so many ways, certifications are a win-win. 

The certifications below can help software developers increase their knowledge and experience with specific platforms, improve their job-hunting prospects, and earn them higher salaries: 

Advice for Becoming a Software Developer

Becoming a software developer isn't always a straight-forward journey. Some land in the field as a part of a career change. For recruiting organizations, it's not always easy to land the right candidate with the nuanced skill set desired. In those cases, some opt to reskill and upskill new staff as a part of the onboarding process. DB Systel's program is a great example of this. 

Today, many organizations still want developers to have a formal degree in computer science or similar area. But not all and there are signs degree requirements are relaxing in favor of skills. 

If you're going to a university, it's not a bad option. But if you're planning a career change, you can still land a gig with the right experience, skills and connections. This is where internships, mentors and networking can help. "The Meetup scene for tech and dev is quite rich in most cities," Johnson said. 

What's important is the commitment to ongoing learning.