11 Types of Developers (Which Are You?)

Oct 5, 2022
Learning about different types of developers

When we hear the term "developer" and we the thought of "software." Not, say "real property." But even the focus on computers and code allows a wide range of possibilities for describing the different types of developers.

We'll then use generally accepted (and more-descriptive) labels for developer types as well as look at the tasks and the tools that go with them.

What exactly is a developer?

Software is key to our developers' story. This can be in various forms.

All these types of developers created something from the use of code.

Computer screens with code used by various types of developers
Codes on screens. (Photo taken by Fotis Fotopoulos via Unsplash)

What Types of Developers Are There?

There's no "official" set of developer job descriptions. We're going to look at the tasks that developers perform using commonly used terms, and we're splitting the vast "web developer" classification into three distinct roles. (We admit that we have a soft spot in our hearts for people who build websites.)

In all, we will review 11 types of developers below.

1. Frontend Web Developer

Can Frontend Designers be Web Designers?

In many companies, design is part of branding that extends beyond web-based media.

No matter who creates the design, it's up to the task of the frontend designer to make it come to life on a web page and turn a vision to create a positive user experience into a functioning application.

2. Backend Web Developer

3. Full-Stack Web Developer

However, mastering every aspect of web development appears to have its rewards. A survey of 2022 developers carried out by StackOverflow discovered that "full-stack developer" was the highest-rated choice (nearly 47%) in the survey when people were required to explain their role..

Chart showing common types of developers in 2022
Top developers' categories in 2022. (Image source: StackOverflow)

Are WordPress developers Full-Stack Developers?

4. Mobile App Developer

The word "application" encompasses a wide range of the software development. From desktops to the web, they are the tools that make things easier for users.

If we reduce it to "app" (as in, "There's an app for that!" -- we tend to think first of the applications running on tablets, smartphones, and other mobile devices. Making mobile applications requires an expert developer.

Mobile app developers are acquainted with software development kits (SDKs) along with the tools to create applications that run on a particular operating system like Apple's iOS or Google's Android.

Swift is the primary programming language on iOS and Mac, whereas Java as well as Kotlin are used most frequently in Android. In addition, a large range of apps-building tools including Apache Cordova and NativeScript that can turn code based on the web-friendly JavaScript, HTML, and CSS into native mobile applications.

5. Desktop Software Developer

Desktop developers create software applications for personal computers and workstations.

Desktop applications are typically developed by developers for specific operating systems, so activities in this area reflect the relative market shares of platforms like Microsoft's Windows as well as Apple's macOS and Google's Chrome OS, and the open-source operating system Linux.

Using data collected from website visitors around the world, Statcounter estimated in August 2022 that Windows was the most popular operating system with 74% of market share for desktop operating systems.

Chart showing operating systems used by various types of developers
Desktop operating system market share, August 2022. (Image source: Statcounter)

Developers are likely to program using integrated development environment (IDE) instruments for speedy editing, debugging, and compiling source code.

The most popular languages used for desktop application programming include C#, C++, Swift, and Java.

6. Data Scientist (Big Data Developer)

Humans contribute to the creation of a lot of data in their day-to-day routines: shopping at the supermarket, browsing the web, driving past traffic cameras, and using mobile phones, and even casting votes. Our systems are designed to capture the data generated by natural phenomena, such as earthquakes, weather conditions, as well as electromagnetic signals that come that come from space.

Data scientists are mathematical wizard using computers that can find patterns among all the data.

There's a good chance this group of developers is employing the Python programming language or something more specialized, such as R, Scala, or Julia.

"Big data" typically ends up in an open-source database. an data scientist should possess SQL in their programming toolbox.

7. Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Software Developer

Artificial intelligence (AI) programmers seek to replicate human behaviours like decision-making. Combine the machine-learning (ML) and the application will become smarter with time.

AI/ML software typically processes lots of data with complicated algorithms. Therefore, those who develop them typically are data scientists.

The market research company IDC found worldwide revenue for AI-related applications, hardware as well as services surpassed the $383 billion mark in 2021. the increase was nearly 21% over the year 2020.

Customer relationship management software and software for enterprise resource management were responsible for around 65% of profits from AI-enhanced software.

Chart showing value of AI software worldwide
Valuation of AI software in the world in 2020 and. 2021. (Image source: IDC)

8. Game Designer

Computer game designers cover many different skills.

The software could play on laptops, desktops, consoles, mobile devices as well as in web browsers. Storylines accommodate different gaming genres, like military or sporting simulation, first-person shooters, strategies, and role-playing. In addition, there's likely 3D images, music and sounds.

In the age of online-connected gaming, developers of massively multiplayer games have to deal with backend servers and database demands as high as some of the largest e-commerce sites.

Game developers usually have experience with 3D rendering software and related software for animation.

In addition, with a focus on the latest technology, recent developer surveys of SlashData's Developer Nation showed that just more than 37% of AR (AR) (VR) or VR (VR) applications used were AR/VR games. Further, 27.9% of the initiatives involved the creation of virtual environments -- with some for games.

Chart showing types of developers using augmented reality/virtual reality
Different types of development that use AR/VR. (Image Source: SlashData's Developer Nation)

9. Operating Systems Developer

Although thousands of developers are working on the most popular operating systems -- whether they contribute to Linux or employed by Microsoft, Apple, or Google It's an exclusive community. At the same time, SlashData says its surveys suggest the total worldwide developer population is more than 24 million.

It's likely that your fridge has an operating system, but the most popular operating systems for computers involve large teams of developers, majority of them involved in smaller parts of the bigger program.

The heart of all operating systems is the kernel which manages access to the processor, memory as well as file systems as well as I/O devices. C is the main programming language used by the kernels that power Microsoft Windows, Apple's macOS and Linux. There is also lower-level assembly code.

And the Android kernel was developed from it's predecessor, the Linux kernel.

On top of the kernel, the operating system has drivers to manage the various hardware components and programs for system household maintenance. Then there's the graphical user interface. Developers could make use of C, C++, Objective C (macOS) as well as Python (Linux) for these tools.

10. DevOps Engineer

"DevOps" is an amalgamation of "development" along with "operations," and practitioners can automate the repetitive tasks of software development that range from managing code to monitoring deployment, testing maintenance, as well as diagnosing it.

In the case of web development, DevOps is a process for web development. DevOps procedure can ensure that the resources required for the app are readily available and properly installed on the server.

11. Security Developer (SecDevOps)

A security developer builds tools and oversees the processes used to evaluate the security of computers and software.

Security in software development is usually a part of the DevOps procedure. A person who is focused on security within this environment could be termed SecDevOps engineer. SecDevOps engineer.

Security developers must possess in-depth knowledge of the systems and software they're trying to safeguard.

What Type of Developer Do You Wish to Be?


Summary

Here's an overview of 11 types of developers with specific roles that highlight the diverse tasks they can perform within their respective fields.

Yet, some developers have more than one role, and most are familiar with different scripting and programming languages. This is perhaps the reason why we cannot all agree on the "official" list of developers.

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