Introduction
Technology advancements have made business organizations more efficient. It made them more competitive to meet the evolving consumer needs. As businesses grow and consumer expectations grow, companies invest more and more on software.
The job demand for a software developer has exponentially grown. For those looking to make it in the IT industry, today is the best time to become a software developer.
Key Roles and Responsibilities of Software Developers
A software developer meets with business leaders to determine the exact company needs. Developers create or change software to meet their needs. The roles and responsibilities of a developer could vary, depending on the industry he/she operates in.
Moreover, development projects vary in scope and complexity. There are developers that work with a software development team, and there are those who work independently. Despite the difference in the industry and the software development project, there are certain responsibilities and attributes common to software developers.
1. Designing and building software
The software developer makes a detailed plan of the design of the new software. Then, he/she will make a timeline to finish the software development project to show to the client. There are a lot of variables involved in software creation, which makes it difficult to gauge the exact time of a project from the beginning.
2. Make adjustment and upgrades on current applications
Not all development projects involve making new software. In some instances, clients simply need to add features to change their current system. Developers find the best way to optimize the present apps and websites.
Often, the projects have a smaller scope than creating a new software. Changes in the current software only requires hiring a smaller team of a single developer even, which saves money.
3. Do tests and quality checks for applications
New software should always be tested. The team of developers evaluate the work quality constantly. Two main kinds of testing include:
– Functional testing. This ascertains that the app or website does what it’s supposed to do. Typically, the development team performs this kind of testing themselves.
– Nonfunctional testing. This ensures that a website or an app operates to the standards of a user. This kind of testing takes into account aspects, such as website speed under different instances. Doing this testing is more effective using an automated tool, like Apache JMeter, for instance.
4. Operations records for future use
Developers never know when old project notes will need to be checked out. Thus, everything that the development team does during a software project should be properly documented. A developer, from the start, should keep tabs of the team’s jobs, goals, and plans from the start.
Keeping a record of development and testing is critical as the project proceeds. Furthermore, a list of problems with their solutions could also be useful.
5. Maintain an optimal performing software
After software completion, a developer should be available for future communication and consultation with the client. The software may have to be adjusted or updated later on, thus establishing communication is important. Software maintenance is critical to keep programs operating in the most efficient manner.
A good developer knows that while an initial project is complete, the client relationship is ongoing.
Conclusion
Understanding the critical roles and responsibilities of a software developer helps you to find the right developer for your software project. Furthermore, it helps you find quality work and a system that exactly meets your business requirements.