Software engineering and software development are two of the most in-demand careers in the tech industry. And with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting the number of software jobs to increase by 25 percent over the next decade, demand for these skilled professionals will only grow. 

But there is often confusion between the roles of software engineers and software developers. While the two terms are often used interchangeably, they can actually refer to distinct roles with unique skill sets and responsibilities. Understanding the differences between software engineers and software developers is crucial for both hiring managers and early career professionals looking to navigate the industry. 

Whether you’re looking to hire a software engineer or software developer, or you’re interested in pursuing a career in software development, this article will help you gain a better understanding of the skills and responsibilities associated with each role, leaving you equipped to make more informed hiring decisions or chart a career path that aligns with your strengths and interests.

What is a Software Engineer?

A software engineer is a professional who applies engineering principles to the design, development, testing, and maintenance of software. The role of a software engineer is often focused on the bigger picture of a software system and typically involves a high degree of problem-solving, as well as collaboration with other members of a development team. 

Responsibilities of a Software Engineer

The responsibilities of a software engineer can vary depending on the size and scope of the organization they work for, as well as the specific project they are working on. However, some common responsibilities of a software engineer may include:

• Designing and developing software applications and systems
• Overseeing the strategic planning and management of software projects
• Working with stakeholders to ensure software requirements are met
• Writing and testing code to ensure software quality and reliability
• Collaborating with team members to solve technical challenges
• Writing automated tests to ensure software quality and reliability
• Conducting research and staying up-to-date on industry trends and best practices
• Designing and implementing algorithms to solve complex problems
• Participating in code reviews and providing feedback to colleagues

Unique Skills Required for a Software Engineering Role

Software engineering requires a unique set of skills that go beyond technical know-how. A software engineer must also be able to work well with others, communicate effectively, and think critically. Some of the key skills required for a software engineering role include:

• In-depth knowledge of programming languages, frameworks, tools and operating systems
• Familiarity with software engineering best practices and methodologies 
• The ability to apply engineering principles to software creation 
• Experience debugging software and systems

• Communication and collaboration skills
• Proficiency in advanced mathematics 
• Strong problem-solving abilities
• Project management skills 
• Leadership skills 

What is a Software Developer?

A software developer is a professional who is responsible for writing, testing and maintaining software code. The role of a software developer is primarily focused on the technical aspects of software development, such as coding and debugging. So, where a software engineer is often focused on the design, development and testing of entire computer systems, a software developer may focus more on specific applications or parts of the software. Many software developers even specialize in certain programming languages or types of development — like mobile, front-end or web — in order to set themselves apart in the job market and gain greater expertise in the tools of their trade. 

Responsibilities of a Software Developer

Just like with software engineers, the responsibilities of a software developer can vary depending on the organization they work for, as well as the specific project they are working on. However, some common responsibilities of a software developer may include:

• Writing, testing and debugging code for software applications
• Collaborating with other members of a development team to solve technical challenges
• Participating in code reviews and providing feedback to colleagues
• Staying up-to-date on industry trends and best practices
• Working with end-users to identify software needs and requirements
• ​​Writing automated tests to ensure software quality and reliability

Unique Skills Required for a Software Development Role

Software development requires a unique set of skills that are focused on technical abilities and attention to detail. While a software developer must be able to work well with others and communicate effectively, their primary focus is on writing high-quality code. Some of the key skills required for a software development role include:

• Strong coding skills in one or more programming languages
• Attention to detail and a focus on writing high-quality code
• Knowledge of software development best practices and methodologies
• Ability to connect the big picture to the smaller components of a system or application
• Familiarity with software testing and debugging processes
• Knowledge of algorithms and data structures 
• Time management skills
• Creativity

What are the Differences Between a Software Engineer and a Software Developer?

While the terms software engineer and software developer are often used interchangeably, there are noteworthy differences between the two roles.

Scope of Work

The primary distinction between software engineers and software developers is in the scope of their work. Software engineers focus on the big picture — the entire software development life cycle – from requirements planning and analysis to the testing and deployment of new software. They leverage their extensive knowledge of programming languages, computer operating systems, advanced mathematics, and software development best practices to determine the best way to build and maintain complex software systems. Software engineers focus on, for example, how, where, and what data is stored. Or what tools to use to ensure a smooth integration with the existing codebase. 

Software developers, on the other hand, focus on the “development” phase of the software development life cycle. Their work involves building the individual components of a software system — often components they have specialized knowledge in – like front-end or back-end systems or mobile applications. They work with engineers to understand the requirements and design specifications, and then implement them.

Think of it like a restaurant kitchen. Software engineers are like the head chefs, creating the menu, choosing ingredients that complement one another and determining the right methods for cooking and preparing the food. And software developers are like the line cooks. They take the head chef’s vision and bring it to life, executing the recipes to perfection.

Focus on Technical Skills

While both software engineers and software developers require strong technical skills, their different focuses lead to specialization in different skills.

Software engineers tend to be more involved in the early stages of software development, such as requirements gathering, system design, and architecture planning. This requires engineers to have greater proficiency in a range of programming languages, frameworks, tools, and operating systems, as well as a broad understanding of various methodologies, trends, and best practices. They need to know how all the moving parts will work together in order to design software systems that are scalable, maintainable and efficient. 

Software developers, on the other hand, tend to focus more on the coding and testing of smaller-scale projects and may work more closely with end-users to ensure the software meets their needs. While they may possess many of the same technical skills as an engineer, their knowledge tends to be more focused and specialized, giving them a deeper understanding of the limitations and possibilities of specific software tools or programming languages. They take an engineer’s design specifications and find the best way to implement them in the code.

Education and Training

Software development is often seen as a subset of software engineering, so when it comes to education and training, there can be a fair amount of overlap between software engineers and software developers. But the level of education and training required for these two roles can and often does differ. 

Given the broader scope of a software engineer’s work, they’re often required to have more comprehensive technical education. They learn how to apply engineering principles and the scientific method to the entire software development life cycle, and are educated in subjects like systems design and analysis, software validation and testing, and software architecture. Some companies may even require a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. However, with the rise of engineering bootcamps and more accessible online learning resources, there are more opportunities than ever for engineers without traditional education backgrounds.

A software developer may choose to take a similar educational path as a software engineer, allowing them to work in either role, or specialize in a particular programming language or type of software development. While software developer roles are less likely to require a college degree, many developers still choose to pursue higher education for the strong skills foundation — and leg-up in the job search — that a degree can provide. However, given that software developers’ main focus is on writing high-quality code, they often need less education than an engineer, which can make it easier to get started in a career as a software developer — particularly for people who are self-taught or don’t have a traditional coding background. 

Job Titles and Roles

Another difference between software engineers and software developers is their job titles and roles within an organization. Software engineers are often seen as senior-level professionals who oversee the design and development of software systems and may be involved in managing other members of a development team. Software developers, on the other hand, are typically seen as entry- or mid-level professionals who are responsible for writing and testing code and may work under the guidance of a software engineer.

How to Choose the Right Role for Your Team

Despite these differences, the lines between software engineering and software development can sometimes be blurred, and many professionals have skills and experience in both areas. Many organizations use the terms interchangeably, and the roles and responsibilities of software engineers and software developers can overlap depending on the size and scope of the project they are working on. 

For hiring managers looking to add software professionals to their teams, the choice of which role to hire for will depend on the specific needs and goals of the organization, as well as the skills and experience of the candidates being considered. 

Remember: software engineers work on the macro-level, while software developers work on the micro-level. If the team is focused on large-scale and complex software development projects with multiple components and integrations, a software engineer may be the right choice. But if the team is focused on coding and testing, say, a new mobile application for an existing system, or needs someone with expertise in a specific programming language or framework, a software developer may be a better fit. 

The size of a company can also be a determining factor. Startups, for example, often operate with leaner teams, which means they need software engineers who can act as both engineer and developer. Enterprise businesses with more robust software teams generally have more resources available to hire both engineers and developers, which allows them to take advantage of the specialized knowledge developers can bring to the table. 

Key Takeaways

Whether you’re looking to hire software professionals or find your next great role, understanding the differences between a software engineer vs. a software developer can be the key to your long-term success. To learn more about the skills and competencies needed for a variety of technical roles and browse our library of up-to-date resources, check out HackerRank’s roles directory.

This article was written with the help of AI. Can you tell which parts?

The post Software Engineer vs. Software Developer: Is There Actually a Difference? appeared first on HackerRank Blog.

Artificial intelligence is no longer just a buzzword, but a powerful field that is changing the tech world in countless ways. From voice assistants and self-driving cars to personalized healthcare and fraud detection, AI is transforming industries — and technical teams — across the board. 

But perhaps no field will be as dramatically impacted by AI as software development itself.

For decades, software development has been a largely manual and labor-intensive process, with developers spending countless hours writing, debugging, and maintaining code. However, with the advent of AI, much of this work can now be automated, freeing up developers to focus on higher-level tasks that require their creativity and expertise. Moreover, AI is being used to enhance various aspects of software development, such as predicting and preventing bugs, generating code, and optimizing performance.

Whether you’re a hiring manager looking to hire the best talent for your AI and software development team, or a developer looking to stay ahead of the curve, this article will provide valuable insights and practical advice for navigating the exciting and rapidly-evolving world of AI and software development.

The Impact of AI on Software Development

AI is already having a significant impact on the software development landscape, and this impact is only expected to grow in the coming years. Some of the ways in which AI is transforming software development include:

• Automating Repetitive Tasks: As mentioned earlier, AI-powered development tools can help automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks, freeing up developers to focus on more complex and creative work. For example, AI can be used to generate code, detect bugs, and optimize performance, among other tasks.
• Improving Efficiency and Accuracy: AI can also improve the efficiency and accuracy of software development. By analyzing large amounts of data and identifying patterns and insights, AI can help developers make better decisions and avoid errors.
• Enhancing User Experience: AI can be used to create more personalized and intuitive user experiences. For example, chatbots powered by AI can help customers get answers to their questions quickly and easily, while recommendation engines can suggest products or services based on users’ preferences and past behavior.
• Enabling New Applications and Use Cases: Finally, AI is opening up new applications and use cases for software development. For example, AI-powered systems can be used for predictive maintenance, fraud detection, and even autonomous vehicles. In addition, tools like ChatGPT, which can assist with building websites and applications, and GitHub’s Copilot, which serves as an AI-pair programmer, are lowering the barrier to entry for people new to coding by providing real-time feedback and suggestions for how to improve their code and work more efficiently.

Overall, AI is transforming the software development landscape in profound ways, enabling developers to work more efficiently and creatively, and creating new opportunities for innovation and growth. However, with these opportunities also come new challenges and considerations.

Challenges and Considerations for Development in an AI-First World

While AI presents many opportunities for software developers, it also raises new challenges and considerations. Here are some of the key issues that developers must address in an AI-first world:

• Ethical and Legal Concerns: In an AI-first world, development teams will need to be able to identify and mitigate ethical concerns related to AI. Already U.S. regulators are examining ways to tackle the potential harm caused by AI, and these regulations will likely have a major impact on the way this technology is used and developed. AI software systems will need to be transparent, explainable, and fair, and comply with all relevant regulations and standards.
• Bias and Discrimination: AI-powered systems can perpetuate or even amplify biases, leading to discrimination against certain groups of people. Development teams will need to be vigilant in identifying and mitigating these biases, and ensure that their systems are inclusive and accessible to all users.
• Data Privacy and Security: AI relies on large quantities of data, and developers must ensure that this data is collected, stored, and used in a secure and responsible manner. They also have to protect users’ privacy and sensitive information, and comply with data protection regulations.
• Skills and Training: Developing and implementing AI-powered systems requires a different skill set than traditional software development. Development teams will need to hire or retrain for skills in data science, machine learning, and AI-powered development tools.
• Scalability and Maintenance: Finally, AI-powered systems can be complex and difficult to maintain, particularly as they scale up and handle larger amounts of data and users. Developers must design their systems with scalability and maintenance in mind, and implement strategies to ensure that they remain reliable and efficient over time.
• Collaboration With Data and AI Teams: In an AI-first world, developers will need to work more closely with data scientists and machine learning engineers to develop and implement AI-powered applications. This requires a good understanding of the principles and tools of data science and machine learning, as well as the ability to work with big data and advanced analytics.

By addressing these challenges and considerations, development teams can ensure that their AI-powered systems are effective, ethical, and secure, and can drive real value for users and organizations. However, doing so will require a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach, with input from machine learning engineers, data scientists, legal experts, and other stakeholders.

AI-First Companies and the Implications for Developers

In recent years, we have seen the emergence of a new type of company – the AI-first company. These are organizations that prioritize the use of AI and data-driven insights to power their business models, operations, and strategies. Examples of AI-first companies include Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Microsoft.

AI-first companies operate differently from traditional companies in several key ways. First, they are more data-driven, using AI to analyze vast amounts of data and generate insights that drive business decisions. Second, they are more agile and adaptable, using AI to quickly respond to changing market conditions and customer needs. They are also more customer-centric, using AI to personalize and optimize the customer experience.

For developers, this shift towards AI-first companies presents both new opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, AI-first companies require developers with strong skills in machine learning, data analytics, and software engineering to build and maintain their AI-powered systems. These companies also value developers who are creative, innovative, and able to work collaboratively across teams and domains.

On the other hand, AI-first companies can also present challenges for development teams. For example, they may require developers to work with large and complex datasets, which can be daunting for those without a strong background in data management. Additionally, they may require developers to work within a fast-paced and constantly evolving environment, where new tools and technologies are being developed and deployed on a regular basis.

To succeed in an AI-first company, developers need to be adaptable, open-minded, and willing to learn and experiment with new tools and technologies. Some of the technologies that are most valuable to AI-first companies include:

• Deep learning frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch
• Natural language processing libraries like NLTK and SpaCy
• Big data processing tools like Apache Spark and Hadoop
• Cloud computing platforms like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure
• Software development best practices like agile development, DevOps, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD)

Key Takeaways

The rise of AI-first companies is transforming the software development landscape, creating new opportunities and challenges for developers. By staying abreast of the latest trends and developments in this space, developers can position themselves to thrive in this new and exciting era of software development.

At HackerRank, we understand the importance of developing and nurturing the skills of today’s developers, especially in the emerging field of AI and machine learning. That’s why we created a roles directory that helps hiring managers and tech professionals explore various job families and tech roles. Want to learn more about the real-world skills driving the future’s innovation? Visit our roles directory today.

The post How AI Is Shaping the Future of Software Development appeared first on HackerRank Blog.

Full-stack development might be the most controversial discipline in tech. 

The idea of developers working in both client-side and server-side environments seems simple enough. But not everyone agrees on what makes a “full-stack developer.” Some adamantly defend the need for the role. Others are convinced that full-stack developers don’t even exist.

What is clear is that no two full-stack developers are exactly alike. Each represents a unique combination of breadth and depth in front-end and back-end development. But all this complexity can make it confusing to hire full-stack developers or pursue a career in full-stack development. 

And it raises a question: what languages does a full-stack developer actually need to know?

Defining Full-Stack Development

By definition, a full-stack developer needs to know a combination of technologies that allows them to work on both the front end and back end of a website. 

There are two main ways of accomplishing this. The first is to learn one or more languages for each environment. For example, pairing JavaScript with Python.

The second is to use frameworks to extend the functionality of a language to a different environment. For example, using JavaScript for the front end and using Node.js to extend its functionality to the back end.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the core programming languages full-stack developers need to know.

Front-End Programming Languages

Unlike back-end languages, the options for front-end languages are pretty fixed. The core front-end languages are JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. However, some developers are turning to TypeScript for full-stack development.

JavaScript

JavaScript is a dynamic scripting language used for adding interactive behavior to web pages and applications. The main way developers use JavaScript is to manage the behavior and user experiences of websites. But there are a number of other interesting use cases for JavaScript. Node.js is a framework that extends the functionality of JavaScript to server-side applications. And libraries like D3.js make JavaScript useful for data visualization. There are also a range of powerful JavaScript frameworks, including React, Angular, Vue, jQuery, ExpressJS, and Backbone.

A staggering 97.3% of all websites use JavaScript as a client-side language. And with usage increasing at a rate of 157% per year, JavaScript’s popularity with full-stack developers is only going to grow.

TypeScript

TypeScript is an open-source, object-oriented language that is an extension of JavaScript, meaning JavaScript code is valid TypeScript code. Developed by Microsoft in 2012, TypeScript describes itself as “all of JavaScript, and then a bit more.” 

TypeScript has been gaining popularity for years, and was the fastest-growing programming language in 2022.

HTML

HTML is a standard markup language used for structuring and marking up web pages. While HTML may seem very basic compared to other languages, its ability to structure content has largely created the internet as we know. Necessary for publishing text, headings, tables, photos, and video, HTML is an essential front-end skill. Developers primarily use HTML in conjunction with another front-end language, CSS.

CSS

CSS is a stylesheet language used to design the layout and presentation of web pages. Developers pair CSS with markup languages like HTML or XHTML to control the presentation of web documents. While HTML provides the structure of a page, CSS dictates the style of the page.

CSS frameworks include Bootstrap, Bulma, Foundation, Skeleton, and Tailwind CSS.

Back-End Programming Languages

While the selection of front-end languages is pretty standardized, a full-stack developer’s options for back-end programming languages are pretty open. In theory, a full-stack developer has hundreds of back-end languages to choose from. 

Here, we’ve highlighted the popular, general purpose languages developers often turn to first.

Python

Python is an interpreted, high-level, general-purpose programming language, and one of the most popular languages for rapid development.

There are a number of reasons behind Python’s popularity with developers. It’s easy to learn, usable on nearly every project, and vital for the field of data science. There’s also a range of powerful Python frameworks, including Django, Bottle, and Web2Py. 

For use in full-stack development, Python is a safe choice for a general-purpose programming language. Particularly relevant for full-stack developers is PyScript, which allows them to create front-end applications using Python.

Java

Java is a high-level, object-oriented programming language used to create complete applications. The language is platform independent, allowing it to run on any device that supports its environment. 

This combination of performance and versatility made Java the most popular programming language with developers in 2021 and 2022. You can do just about anything with Java. (Well, almost anything.) 

Like Python, Java is a reliable pick for full-stack developers trying to choose a back-end programming language.

PHP

PHP is a widely-used open source and general-purpose scripting language that is especially suited for web development. PHP’s popularity is owed to the fact that it was one of the first server-side languages that developers could embed into HTML. It’s also fast, secure, versatile, and supported by a strong open source community.

While PHP isn’t as popular as other general-purpose languages, its specialization gives it an advantage in web development over languages like Python.

Go

Go is an object-oriented programming language that Google created in 2009 for networking and infrastructure. But since launch, it’s evolved into a general-purpose language used in a wide range of applications. In 2022, Go was the second fastest-growing programming language, making it a worthy choice for full-stack development.

One framework that’s expanding the language’s full-stack potential is Bud, a full-stack framework used for the fast development of web applications. Known as “Ruby on Rails for the Go ecosystem,” Bud offers a unique combination of simplicity and scalability that helps full-stack developers expand front- and back-end code to meet the needs of users.

C++

C++ is a general purpose, compiled, and statically typed programming language. Known as “C with Classes,” C++ is an extension of C with the functionality of user-defined data classes. 

The high performance of C++ has made it the top language for use cases requiring fast rendering, including browsers, banking applications, and motion design software.

Another major contributor to C++’s ubiquity is its ability to work closely with system hardware. Developers often use C++ as their first choice for hardware-oriented applications, including video game engines, operating systems, and cloud systems. C++ is ideal for full-stack developers who prioritize performance and code reusability.

C#

C# is a general purpose, object-oriented, component-oriented programming language developed around 2000 by Microsoft as part of its .NET initiative. C# is based on the C family of languages, and has similarities to C, C++, Java, and JavaScript. 

An extension of C, C# adds on a number of features, including variable checking, type checking, bound checking, and garbage collection. 

Database Languages 

If you’re working across the tech stack, at some point you’ll need to consider the storage of data, user data in particular. Some, but not all, full-stack developer roles involve database management, which requires competency in a domain-specific query language.

What database language a developer knows will depend on whether they’re working with relational or non-relational databases.

SQL

SQL is an industry-standard structured query language for creating, defining, implementing, accessing, and maintaining relational databases. Usage of SQL is widespread. Not only is it the industry’s go-to query language, it was also the sixth most popular programming language in the world in 2022.

MQL

Non-relational databases store data using a flexible, non-tabular format. Also known as NoSQL (not only SQL) databases, non-relational databases use either SQL or an alternative query language. MongoDB Query Language (MQL) is, unsurprisingly, a query language used for working with the NoSQL database program MongoDB.

The post The Top 11 Languages for Full-Stack Development appeared first on HackerRank Blog.

Full-stack developers have endless options for developing, deploying, and managing software at every layer of the tech stack. Because full-stack development is multi-disciplinary, its innovations sit at the intersection of front-end and back-end development. In this article, we break down trends and tools that full-stack developers should know for 2023.

What is Full-Stack Development?

Full-stack developers have the unique ability to build both the visual and server environments that define the internet as we know it. Full-stack developers have an understanding of front-end design and interactivity, as well as the back-end databases and architectures.

With competency in both environments, full-stack developers are able to work at multiple levels of the website development process. By definition, they’re the ultimate generalists, able to independently build minimum viable products and integrate different technologies.

Trending Full-Stack Tools and Technologies

Full-stack developers are constantly finding new ways to improve their tech stacks.  Here are a few of the trending tools and technologies full-stack developers are using to create innovative online experiences for users.

Low-Code and No-Code Development

With the rise of low-code and no-code development platforms, anyone can become a developer through “virtual programming” — just point and click! These models also have a lower barrier to entry, making them exceptionally popular for businesses to lower costs of hiring full-stack developers. 

While there may be a few drawbacks such as limited control over code and reduced functionality, no-code development enables non-technical developers to build products and services faster. These low-code and no-code options mean basic application development can be distributed to non-technical or junior roles. Meanwhile, full-stack developers can focus on solutions and more complex coding enhancements. It’s also interesting to note that no-code/low-code tools themselves can be thought of as full-stack solutions, which may influence the future of full–stack developers.

Popular low code and no code platforms include Appian, Mendix, Quickbase, Zoho Creator, and Nintex.

Artificial Intelligence

The last several years have seen a surge in technological advancements for artificial intelligence, and it’s expected to be just as popular in 2023. Recent advances in data analysis, machine learning, and high-performance computing have pushed the limits of exciting use cases, including speech recognition to robotics.

As artificial intelligence adds new innovations to the technology stack, having a single developer who understands how all these disparate parts fit together will be invaluable. With holistic technical expertise, full-stack developers are playing a key role in the ongoing advancement of artificial intelligence.

Popular AI tools and frameworks include SciKit Learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Google ML kit.

Machine Learning

Machine learning (ML) is a subset of AI dealing focused on the development of computer systems that learn and adapt without following explicit instructions. Key to the success of machine learning is an endless supply of data from every layer of the tech stack. Full-stack developers can use their big-picture perspective of the tech stack to help data engineers and scientists feed this endless appetite for new data,

Full-stack developers can also leverage automations from machine learning to build faster and make data-driven decisions. 

Popular tools for machine learning include Pandas, TensorFlow, SciKit, and NLTK.

Blockchain

You may be familiar with Blockchain for cryptocurrencies, but it can be used for so much more, including identity management and supply chain management. Blockchain is decentralized and its security is unrivaled, but it does have a few limitations like scalability. Regardless, the encryption and transparency Blockchain offers continues to rise in popularity in many industries. Especially for financial industries, Blockchain simplifies complex financial and banking operations. As businesses become more aware of the benefits, they’ll need full-stack developers to move their operations to the blockchain.

Popular Blockchain development tools include MetaMask, Embark, Web3j, and Prysm.

Internet of Things

From smart home sensors to autonomous vehicles, the Internet of Things (IoT) development trend is all about connecting physical devices to the internet. Making our daily lives easier is always trendy, and now nearly every device is connected to the internet.  

While IoT development involves professionals from many different disciplines, full-stack developers are particularly valuable for their ability to build and integrate disparate systems. Full-stack developers have the challenge of understanding how to integrate devices, what information can be collected from devices, how to make the data usable, and how this information could benefit users.

Popular IoT platforms and tools include Node-RED, OpenRemote, Flutter, and Arduino.

Progressive Web Apps

While browsing the web, you probably came across a progressive web application (PWA) and may have not even realized it. 

PWAs are a type of web application built using common front-end technologies including HTML, CSS, JavaScript. A helpful way to think of PWAs is that they’re apps written in web programming languages that perform and feel like mobile apps built for iOS or Android. PWAs are reliable and function like native apps, but can use a single codebase to reach anyone, anywhere, and on any device. Because of these benefits, full-stack developers can be expected to deliver PWAs as a cost-effective solution for any business they’re a part of.

Popular PWA development tools and frameworks include Vue.JS, Angular, ReactPWA Library, and Polymer.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

Mixed reality, including augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), is here to stay and advancing quickly, making it a trend to watch out for. With the release of Apple’s ARKit, Google’s ARCore, and Meta, more businesses will start incorporating AR and VR to keep up with bigger businesses. Many are already leveraging these new mixed reality technologies to revolutionize remote and long distance training, education, healthcare, and even gaming. Full-stack developers will play a vital role in the development of this technology by designing and implementing software at all levels of the stack, from the user interface all the way down to systems software.

The post Top 7 Full-Stack Development Trends for 2023 appeared first on HackerRank Blog.

Full-stack developers have the unique ability to build both the visual and server environments that define the internet as we know it. With an understanding of both  front-end and back-end development, full-stack developers are able to work at every level of the website development process. 

This mix of generalization and specialization can make it challenging to write job descriptions for full-stack roles. Each full-stack developer job description has to capture the specific technical requirements and opportunities for the role. In this post, we break down how hiring managers and recruiters can write successful full-stack developer job descriptions.

What Does a Full-Stack Developer Do? 

The first step to writing a compelling job description is having a clear understanding of the discipline of full-stack development and the core requirements of the role.

Full-stack developers have the unique ability to build both visual and server environments. Full-stack developers have an understanding of front-end design and interactivity, as well as back-end databases and architectures. Their specific tasks draw from both disciplines depending on the company and role. With competency in both environments, full-stack developers are able to work at multiple levels of the website development process. 

Any company that’s building its own website or online applications need to hire developers to build the front-end and back-end environments. Often, companies hire developers who specialize in one of those two environments. However, companies also hire full-stack developers who can work throughout the tech stack.

What Should a Full-Stack Job Description Include?

Company Value Proposition

From 2020 to 2030, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the number of employed software developers in the U.S. to grow by 22% — almost triple the 8% average growth rate for all occupations. With this level of demand for their skills, full-stack developers have endless opportunities to choose from. What makes your open role stand out? The first section of your job description needs to address this question.

Communicating the opportunity of the role at – along with the employer brand, value proposition, and company culture – is essential to crafting a successful job description.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities section lists the core activities of the role. There are a number of different ways to represent these responsibilities, including daily tasks, monthly responsibilities, objectives of the role, and key outcomes. 

In this section, it’s important to clarify the specific type of full-stack development skills the position requires and the depth of expertise in each skill. Each full-stack developer will have a unique combination of generalization and specialization across the entire stack. Even a senior full-stack developer might have working knowledge of both the front and back ends, with true expertise in only a few layers. What specific front-end and back-end skills are you looking for?

Common front-end responsibilities include:

• Designing front-end interfaces
• Building tools that improve site interaction 
• Creating and implementing UI/UX designs
• Coding in client-side programming languages

Common back-end responsibilities include:

• Designing back-end systems
• Supporting the full application lifecycle
• Building relational or non-relational databases
• Coding in server-side programming languages

Responsibilities required by any development role include:

• Planning
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Agile development

Basic Qualifications

The basic qualifications section has two main components.

First, list any degree requirements. A common qualification for full-stack roles is for the candidate to have either a BS/BA degree or equivalent experience. If the role is open to applications from bootcamp graduates and self-taught developers, this is also the section to communicate that.

Next is the required years of experience scaled to the seniority of the role. This requirement is communicated with either a range or minimum requirement. 

For example:

• Entry-level: 0-2 years
• Mid-level: 3-5 years
• Senior-level: 5+ years

Some companies also use this section to list experience with a minimum number of programming languages as a basic qualification.

Required Qualifications

The required qualifications section is one of the core sections of a job description. While basic qualifications focus on education and experience, this section gives employers the space to list the must-have technical competencies and soft skills required for the role.

Common front-end languages found in this section include:

• HTML
• CSS
• JavaScript
• TypeScript

Common front-end frameworks found in this section include:

• Angular
• Ember
• jQuery
• React
• Vue.js

Common back-end languages and technologies found in this section include:

• C/C++
• Go
• Java
• PHP
• Python
• Ruby
• Rust
• SQL
• AWS
• Azure
• GCP

Common back-end frameworks found in this section include:

• Backbone
• Django
• ExpressJS
• Laravel
• Ruby on Rails
• Spring Boot

Common technical competencies found in this section include:

• Hands-on development experience with front-end and back-end languages
• Familiarity with key front-end frameworks
• Mobile-first development experience
• Strong sense of web and user interface design
• Knowledge of system design and infrastructure architecture disciplines
• Knowledge of cloud computing and infrastructure
• Advanced knowledge of user experience design, accessibility standards, API development, and information architecture
• Knowledge of industry-wide technology trends and best practices

Common soft skills found in this section include:

• Technical communication
• Project management
• Time management
• Problem solving

Other Desired Skills & Nice-to-Haves

While not present on every job description, some companies elect to mention additional skills that the company desires but not required to succeed in the role. An example of a “nice-to-have” skill for a full-stack developer is experience in search engine optimization.

Sample Job Description

The job descriptions for full-stack roles can vary widely, depending on the responsibilities, compensation, and seniority of the position. That said, there are commonalities between descriptions you can take advantage of. Here’s an example of a job description for a mid-level full-stack development role.

Title: Full-Stack Developer II

Full-time. Associate.

Responsibilities

Development – Responsible for design, development, testing, deployment, and support of front-end and back-end software.

Delivery – Agile delivery of solutions aligned to business needs while maintaining a high standard of quality. Participate in code reviews and troubleshoot bugs.

Collaboration – Partner with product owners to understand business and product requirements to translate them into design solutions.

Communication – Clearly communicate roadmap, backlog, and team updates across the organization.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in software development
• BS/BA degree or equivalent experience

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on front-end development experience with HTML5, CSS, JS, Vue, and React.
• Prior experience with a server-side programming language
• Advanced knowledge of user experience design, accessibility standards, API development, and information architecture
• Hands-on experience with SQL and relational database management systems (Oracle, MySQL)
• Knowledge of industry-wide technology trends and best practices

Other Desired Skills

• Experience with search engine optimization
• Experience with AWS, Azure, or GCP

Resource for Hiring Full-Stack Developers

Front-End vs Back-End vs Full-Stack Developers: What’s the Difference?

What Does a Full-Stack Developer Do? Job Overview & Skill Expectations

Best Practices for Hiring Software Developers: Front-End, Back-End, & Full-Stack

18 Full-Stack Developer Interview Questions + Checklist

A Data-Driven Guide to Hiring Full-Stack Developers

The post How to Write a Full-Stack Developer Job Description [Template] appeared first on HackerRank Blog.

Year after year, web development continues to dominate lists of the most in-demand skills in the world. So, it should come as no surprise that web developers’ salaries are highly competitive. But how accurate are salary aggregators’ estimates of web developer compensation? 

In this blog, we answer your most pressing questions about developer salaries. How does geography impact salary? Which programming languages have the highest compensation? And what strategies should you use to negotiate a higher salary? Keep reading to find out.

What Does a Web Developer Do?

Web developers build the experiences that make up how we see and interact with the internet. Any time you visit a website or use an application, web developers are responsible for the look and feel, as well as the interactions that happen as you engage with content. 

Depending on the role, web developers are also responsible for maintaining the back end. Think of all the infrastructure that supports everything you experience online — like reading this article.

Types of Web Developers

While they may have many different titles in the industry from site developer to user experience engineer, web developer roles typically fall into three categories.

Back-End Developers

The back end, or server side, of a website or application is everything you don’t see that supports the digital experience. This includes databases, applications, and servers. Back-end developers are the individuals responsible for building and maintaining the infrastructure that supports the entire application or website.

Front-End Developers

When you load a website or application, the front end, or client side, is everything that a user sees and interacts with. Front-end developers are responsible for creating everything from content styles and interactions to overall design and user experience.

Full-Stack Developers

Full-stack developers have an understanding of front-end and back-end development. But they also know how to support back-end processes, databases, and architecture. Because a full-stack developer possesses client-side and server-side  knowledge, they’re able to work at every level of the web development process.

However, each full-stack developer will have a unique combination of generalization and specialization across the entire stack. Even a senior full-stack developer might have working knowledge of both the front and back ends, with true expertise in only a few layers.

How Much do Web Developers Make? Salary Breakdown

With so many options for salary aggregators, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with estimates and projections. We took the time to share web developer salaries from several popular aggregators for you to see the differences between entry level to senior roles. For each experience level, we’ve also averaged the median salaries from each aggregator.

Entry Level web developers can expect to earn an average of $63,276 

• Payscale reports a range of $38,000 to $72,000, with an average of $51,237
• ZipRecruiter reports a range of $30,000 to $85,000, with an average of $57,226
• Indeed reports a range of $48,562 to $73,403, with an average of $59,704
• Glassdoor reports a range of $53,000 to $121,000, with an average of $79,827
• Salary.com reports a range of $61,382 to $77,082, with an average of $68,386

Intermediate web developers can expect to earn an average of $77,812. 

• Payscale reports a range of $42,000 to $90,000, with an average of $60,987
• ZipRecruiter reports a range of $32,000 to $136,500, with an average of $81,086
• Indeed reports a range of $48,067 to $127,574, with an average of $78,307
• Glassdoor reports a range of $54,000 to $128,000, with an average of $83,031
• Salary.com reports a range of $79,383 to $94,001, with an average of $85,648

Senior or expert web developers can expect to earn an average of $105,104.

• Payscale reports a range of $63,000 to $123,000, with an average of $88,939
• ZipRecruiter reports a range of $55,500 to $182,000, with an average of $113,217
• Indeed reports a range of $69,904 to $144,309, with an average of $100,438
• Glassdoor reports a range of $79,000 to $180,000, with an average of $118,231
• Salary.com reports a range of $92,671 to $118,235, with an average of $104,697

Base Salary vs Total Compensation

One important distinction to note is that salary aggregators report the salary of a role, not total compensation. This presents an incomplete picture of just how much employers actually compensate web developers. In addition to a base salary, most developers receive substantial stock options and bonuses. For example, the average software development engineer III at Amazon receives a base salary of $175K. But they also receive $156K in stock options and $15K in bonuses every year, for a total compensation of $345K. That’s 97% more than their base salary.

This pattern doesn’t just hold true for large tech companies like Amazon. Compensation aggregator levels.fyi reports that web developer total compensations range from $121,000 to $279,000. (That includes base salary, stock options, and bonuses.)

The important takeaway here is that base salary quite literally only makes up half of the conversation around developer compensation. By taking this into account, we can see that the preceding salary data from aggregators under represents developer compensation.

Developers, hiring managers, and recruiters should take note of this distinction, as it will have a huge impact on their careers. Developers can increase their total earnings by tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars by negotiating stock options during the interview process. And recruiters and hiring managers who pay careful attention to building a competitive total compensation package will be better able to attract, hire, and retain web developers.

Are Developer Salary Estimates Accurate?

On average, back-end developers receive highly competitive compensation packages. However, data sources on developer salaries often present a varying range of numbers at both a national and global level. The average base salary for back-end developers in the U.S. is $115,667. But some estimates place the global median much higher at $162,000. 

Even within the web development discipline, you may find a few differences in salary ranges between developer types. Front-end developer salaries can be marginally lower than those of back-end developers. This could be due to the higher availability of front-end developers in the market.Ultimately, this depends on how companies define their web developer roles. And developers with expertise in focus areas such as machine learning and API development earn even more. It’s worth noting that salary aggregators generally rely on user-reported salary data, so the results of the averages generated is based on the accuracy of the reported data.

While this has always been true, market conditions have made technical salaries especially volatile since 2020. Because of this, public salary data may be low or out of date. Total compensation packages, including equity and bonuses, are also changing rapidly. Hiring teams will need to conduct their own research to identify salary bands based on their company’s requirements and the technical needs of the role.

Why Are Web Developer Salaries So High?

On average, web developers receive highly competitive salaries. So high, in fact, that they often more than double the national average in their country of origin. In the U.S., for example, the average salary in 2020 was $53,400. In contrast, the average base salary for back-end developers in the U.S. ranges between $115,129 and $125,924 — 116 to 136% higher than the national average.

But what factors drive their high compensations? Well, web developers are in short supply across industries, have critical responsibilities, and must be adaptable to be successful in their role. Web developers who have a combination of in-demand skills and experience are in short supply compared to the current demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, software developer employment is projected to grow 25% through 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. Meanwhile, recruiters continue to struggle to keep up with demand for developers with skill sets that match business needs. 

Web developers also have critical responsibilities that are foundational to operations. And if that wasn’t enough, web developers must ensure they’re constantly adapting, scaling, and future-proofing their tech stack to keep up with technology.

Lastly, developers’ salaries are high because the value they provide to employers is equally significant. Without web developers, the most impactful technologies of the last 30 years – including computers, smartphones, social media, and the internet itself – would never have been invented. Considering that web developers have helped the tech industry grow to over $5 trillion, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that their compensation is so high.

How Do Skills Affect Developer Compensation?

Developer salaries don’t just vary based on experience or specialization. Learning in demand programming languages or frameworks can also increase a developer’s salary.

How Do Programming Languages Affect Compensation?

When comparing languages across developers, those that know Perl make 54% more than the average developer. Following Perl, developers that know Scala and Go make the most money over their counterparts that know C++, JavaScript, and Python. The difference between specializing in these languages could get you up to an additional 54% increase in salary.

How Do Programming Frameworks Affect Compensation?

When it comes to frameworks, web developers familiar with Backbone.js receive the highest pay by 48%, followed by Cocoa and Ruby on Rails. Since Backbone.js is an uncommon skill — globally, only 4% of developers know it — the low knowledge supply enable those developers to demand higher pay.

It’s important to note that, regardless of framework or language, the association to higher pay is tied in part to seniority. Since senior developers earn higher pay, it could elevate the average pay linked to languages or frameworks.

Salary Comparisons Around the World

Historically, geography in particular has had a significant influence on the compensation of web developers. U.S. developers make more than those in any other country, earning $109,167 annually on average. Australia and Canada were the next highest paying countries, with average developer salaries of $88,539 and $72,771, respectively. The Netherlands and the United Kingdom rounded out the top five highest paying countries.

How to Increase Your Salary

Whether you’re a seasoned employee, recently reached a work milestone, or you’ve become certified in an area of expertise, you should ask for a raise. Why? Our own research shows that only 35% of developers believe they’re being paid fairly, while 26% are unsure if their pay is fair. Let’s review a few tips on how to ask for a raise and increase your salary.

Do Your Research

It’s important to know the going rate for your skills before negotiating a raise, especially since many factors go into estimating salaries. Because skill level, location, and even your past employers can factor into a salary offer, it helps to come prepared to a negotiation with data specific to your role and situation. For example, a newer startup may not be able to compete with the higher salary offerings of a longstanding tech company. However, negotiating stock options or other benefits can help to close the gap in compensation.

Don’t forget to research how your company evaluates raises and promotions, as well as the timing around them. You don’t want to do the research only to realize you have to wait until the next promotion cycle.

Develop Skills and Take On More Responsibilities

Being able to solve your manager’s problems can help you increase your salary, and even earn you a promotion. Find out if there are any skill gaps or problems to solve, and consider if they align with how you want to grow in your career. Particularly focus on projects or tasks that can help the business save time or increase profitability. Typically, if your job differs from what it was when you last negotiated your salary, you should command a higher compensation. Learning technical skills that have a higher market value, such as Backbone.js or Ruby on Rails, can also increase your value to your employer.

With added skills and experience, you now have greater knowledge to do your job more efficiently at a higher quality than you did previously. Negotiate additional responsibilities with your manager and set a timeline with goals that align with your company’s policies around advancement. With your manager’s roadmap, you’ll be able to measure and show impact to negotiate a raise or promotion.

Ask for a Raise

If you’ve taken on more responsibilities and gained additional skills to upgrade the quality of your work, it’s time to prepare yourself to ask for a raise. Track your responsibilities and measure the output of your work to support your case, and come prepared to share a figure you think is fair for market value. Meeting your work goals is not enough to get a raise on its own. It’s important to emphasize the measurable results or impact of your project. Your manager isn’t a mindreader — ask for what you want directly but respectfully, using clear communication.

Job Hop

The average length of time that software developers stay at a given company can be surprisingly short. Around 50% of software engineers stay at a single company for two years, while the national average tenure for web developers is 4.2 years. Some web developers feel that staying too long may even cause their skills to stagnate. While switching jobs isn’t a new trend, job hopping in tech has proven to be more incentivized recently, yielding a higher salary, better benefits, or greater flexibility. 

Ultimately, there are many factors to consider when trying to improve your salary that go beyond what we cover in this article, so it’s important to do your research, consider your timing, and advocate for yourself.

The post How Much Do Web Developers Make? Entry Level to Senior Level appeared first on HackerRank Blog.

Back-end developers have endless options for developing, deploying, and managing server-side applications. In this article, we highlight the most significant back-end development trends that are shaping the industry now and through 2023.

From the growing adoption of Elixir to the rise of headless CMS options, it’s clear developers want scalable and secure tools, languages, and frameworks. Having flexibility in their tech stacks is also a growing priority. But before we highlight these trends, let’s cover the basics about back-end development along with information about employer demand.

What is Back-End Development?

Back-end development involves building and maintaining the mechanisms that process data, and perform actions on websites and applications, along with other server-side functions. While every user can see the work that front-end developers create, back-end developers build the databases, logic, and APIs that users can’t see.

The tasks back-end developers perform vary depending on their industry, company, and expertise. Common back-end responsibilities include:

• Building and maintaining server-side environments

• Writing, testing, and maintaining code

• Testing for efficiency and speed

• Debugging code to optimize performance

Trends in Employer Demand for Back-End Skills

While back-end developers are in high demand, employer demand for specific languages, frameworks, and tools shifts with market trends and technological innovation. The following data shows which technologies are trending among hiring teams and employers. We based these findings on the changes in the number of technical skill assessments completed for job applications in 2021 on HackerRank.

• Despite being decades old, C# and C saw the largest shift in demand, at 150.61% and 116.83%, respectively. 
• Unsurprisingly, the need for cloud skills is also high, with Google Cloud Platform leading at 109.71%. 
• At 126.12%, Django was the fastest growing back-end framework.
• Languages popular with both employers and developers rounded out the list. These included Python (44.43%), R (35.11%), and Go (16.84%).

It’s worth noting that employer demand for skills might not align with the languages and technologies developers learn independently. In the next section, we’ll cover what technologies are trending in the developer community during 2022 and into 2023.

Trending Back-End Tools and Technologies

​​Back-end developers are constantly finding new ways to improve their codebases while raising the standard for quality or security. Here are a few of the trending tools and technologies back-end developers are using to create innovative online experiences for users.

Backend as a Service

Backend as a Service (BaaS) is a cloud-based model where technical teams outsource back-end services of a website or application to an external service provider. These services can include hosting, cloud storage, database management, push notifications, and authentication. In this model, developers manage these back-end services using APIs and SDKs. Using BaaS, in-house developers are able to focus on writing code to maintain the front-end while building out features and services faster. A few BaaS providers include Microsoft Azure, AWS Amplify, Firebase, and Heroku.

Django

Django is a Python-based framework used for fast and efficient application development. With this framework, developers can build complex, feature-rich web apps that can handle a larger number of users. And they can do it without developing backends, APIs, JavaScript, and sitemaps. Like many frameworks, it’s rich with common web development modules, with options for user authentication. Django also prides itself on helping developers avoid many common security mistakes. This framework is used by some of the most popular sites in the world, including Instagram, Mozilla Firefox, and Pinterest.

Elixir

Elixir is a programming language for building and maintaining applications using simple syntax. Created in 2011, Elixir is one of the most loved languages by developers according to Stack Overflow’s 2021 Developer Survey. Its popularity can be attributed to being fault-tolerant and easy to use, with concurrency in mind to scale your application. Popular companies in a wide range of industries use Elixir, including PepsiCo, Discord, and Mozilla.

Go

Go, often referred to as Golang, is an object-oriented programming language invented by Google in 2009. Go is now a general purpose language used in a wide range of applications. Despite the language being over a decade old, interest in Go continues to grow. From 2018 to 2020, Go was the number one language developers wanted to learn. Companies such as Uber, Twitch, Dropbox — and yes, Google — use Go in their tech stacks.

GraphQL

GraphQL is an open source data query and manipulation language developed by Meta (then Facebook) in 2012. Neither a front-end or back-end language, GraphQL can be thought of as a language between the two environments that facilitates the exchange of information. Despite being over a decade old, global interest in GraphQL has been trending for the last three years. While GraphQL is widely used by front-end developers, GraphQL is also a powerful language back-end developers can use to stitch together functionality and deliver more intuitive APIs.

Headless CMS

A Headless Content Management System (CMS) provides developers with the foundational back-end structure for content. A headless CMS separates the content repository (the body) from the presentation layer (the head). This design gives developers the flexibility to manage content in one place and deliver it to any front-end environment or tool. And because the back-end and front-end of the website or application are separated, it’s easier to defend against and mitigate targeted attacks. A headless CMS also makes it easier for developers to update their tech stack. Top headless CMS providers include Strapi, Sanity, Netlify CMS, and even WordPress.

Node.js

Node.js a JavaScript runtime environment for building fast and scalable server-side and networking applications. Built on the JavaScript V8 Engine of Google Chrome, it is highly scalable, capable of efficiently handling high volumes of simultaneous connections. Node.js is used by popular companies such as Netflix, Paypal, NASA, and Walmart.

Nest.js

Nest.js is an open source Node.js framework for building server-side applications. This framework uses TypeScript and supports several databases, including MongoDB and Redis. Surpassing one million downloads in 2021, Nest.js has increased in popularity over the years due to how easy it is to test, scale, and maintain. Popular sites using Nest.js include Autodesk, Roche, Shipt, and SitePen.

Phoenix

Phoenix is an Elixir-based web framework for building low-latency, fault-tolerant, distributed systems. Developers use Phoenix to build “rich, interactive web applications quickly, with less code and fewer moving parts.” Using its built-in LiveView component, developers can view the product of their code in real-time, making the development process easier to review and troubleshoot. With over 120,000 downloads weekly, Phoenix has been increasing in popularity in recent years.

Serverless Computing

A serverless applications model allows back-end developers to run applications on cloud-based servers. Since the application is cloud-native, developers don’t have to worry about server availability, infrastructure management, or idle capacity. Serverless computing providers include AWS Lambda, Microsoft Azure Functions, and Google Cloud Functions.

Static Site Generators

Static site generators simplify content delivery by creating static HTML websites based on raw data received from a template. For back-end developers, a key benefit is that the website doesn’t need a database or server-side processes to run, resulting in a faster web experience. Aside from speed, websites built with static site generators are highly customizable. Developers use a number of static site generators, including Hugo, Pelican, Eleventy, and Gatsby.

The post Top Back-End Development Trends for 2023 appeared first on HackerRank Blog.

A software developer builds software and applications that help users perform specific functions and tasks. Software developers are also responsible for implementing larger frameworks to support specific devices or technology in a network.

In this post, we explore the skills required to be a software developer as well as career paths and its projected job outlook.

What Kinds of Companies Hire Software Developers?

Any company that’s building software or applications will need to hire software developers. The employers hiring the most engineers with this skill set are, unsurprisingly, the world’s largest technology companies, including Amazon, Accenture, InfoSys, Microsoft, and Google.

Though it’s not just Silicon Valley and startups increasing the demand for software developers. Now, more than ever, all companies are becoming tech companies. Companies in every industry need technical talent to help them modernize and innovate their business practices. Finance, social media, aerospace, defense, consulting, retail, healthcare — the demand (and opportunity) for software development talent is endless. 

Software Developer vs Software Engineer

Software development shares a lot of similarities with software engineering, and some companies even use the terms interchangeably. Developers and engineers in these roles work with similar back-end technologies. However, there are fundamental differences in the training, experience, and responsibilities of a developer and an engineer.

• Software developers are responsible for writing, managing, and maintaining software. They’re involved in the full lifecycle of software development, including research, development, testing, and launch. 
• Software engineers are responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of complex computer systems. Software engineers develop, design, and test software applications and apply engineering principles to the process of building software.

Types of Software Developer Positions

Software developer titles can vary widely, especially depending on their experience and the company or industry in which they work. Because the “software developer” title is broader than other technical roles, developers and employers often use different terms to describe the same role. For example, web developer and software developer are different roles that are sometimes combined into the job title web software developer.

At the beginning of their career, a software developer typically starts with an entry-level title like junior developer or software developer I. A new developer spends a lot of time learning and studying the codebases and application lifecycle of internal systems. They’re tasked with creating code models and identifying coding bugs.

After gaining several years of experience in an entry-level role, developers might have the opportunity to move into mid-level roles. At this stage, they’re responsible for developing applications from concept to launch. Depending on their specialization, experienced software developers can expect to create anything from operating systems to sophisticated proprietary software.

From there, they may have the opportunity to move into more senior-level roles with hands-on development responsibilities. Titles at this level include senior software developer, lead developer, and senior software architect. How long it takes to reach senior-level depends on the company and the skill level of the developer. 

The key requirement to reach senior-level developer roles is the ability to handle a variety of programming languages, with an exceptional command of computational logic and flow-charting. While they spend several years developing their skills, their responsibilities expand to include taking more ownership of projects, working independently in a team environment, and mentoring project team members. 

Salary Comparisons and Job Outlook

Software developers can expect to earn an average of $96,903. This estimate is based on data aggregated from leading salary data sources: 

• Payscale reports a range of $52,000 to $108,000, with an average of $$74,136
• Glassdoor reports a range of $63,000 to $147,000, with an average of $95,843
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a range of $64,470 to $168,570, with an average of $120,730

Software developer salaries also vary depending on specialization, with in-demand competencies commanding a higher compensation. For example, the average salary for software developers who know Clojure is $106,644. In contrast, the average for those specializing in JavaScript is $65,580.

It’s worth noting that estimates from salary aggregators may be low or out of date. While this has always been true, market conditions have made technical salaries especially volatile since 2020. Total compensation packages, including equity and bonuses, are also changing rapidly.

Requirements to Becoming a Software Developer

Technical Skills

Software developers use a range of programming languages to build software and applications. These include:

• C/C++
• C#
• Java
• JavaScript
• Python
• Ruby
• Scala
• SQL

Recruiters and hiring managers looking for software engineers should also look for in-demand competencies beyond programming languages. These include: 

• DevOps Skills
• Linux experience 
• Back-end frameworks (Ruby on Rails, Django, Laravel)
• Cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure)
• Version control software (SVN, Git)
• Relational database management systems
• Non-relational database management systems

Soft Skills

Technical competence isn’t enough to succeed in software development. Analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills are a common part of any technical job. And in a remote or digital-first environment, soft skills are even more critical.

Employers value a number soft skills, such as:

• Communication
• Creativity
• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Project management
• Time management

Experience

After skill competencies, the most important qualification for software developers is experience. For many employers, “real-world” experience and training is a critical requirement.

When it comes to education, about 70 percent of developers worldwide have a bachelor’s degree or higher. If you’re recruiting, screening, or hiring engineers, it’s most likely that many of them have a degree. And many companies still require engineers to have four-year degrees.

Lately, companies looking to hire engineers are starting to recognize other forms of education and experience. Competition for skilled software engineers is high, and it’s not uncommon for job openings that require a degree to go unfilled. But employers that prioritize real-world skills over education alone gain access to a much larger talent pool.

Resources for Hiring Software Developers

• Best Practices for Hiring Software Developers: Front-End, Back-End, and Full-Stack
• How to Begin Screening Software Developers
• Developer Hiring Solutions

The post What Does a Software Developer Do? Role Overview and Skill Expectations appeared first on HackerRank Blog.

The front ends of modern websites have an impossible task. They need to deliver increasingly complex experiences and applications. They need to support the accessibility needs of diverse users from a variety of backgrounds and abilities. And they need to load at the speed of light.

To accomplish these performance challenges, front-end developers are turning to innovative technologies, frameworks, and design approaches. Here’s an overview of the trending technologies in 2022 that are transforming front-end development.

What is Front-end Development?

When you load a website or application, the experience consists of two environments. 

The back end is what you don’t see that underpins the digital experience, including servers, applications, and databases.

In contrast, the front end is everything that a user sees and interacts with in their browser. The front end includes buttons, text, links, design, and the overall user experience.

Front-end developers create everything the user sees and interacts with in their browser. On a more technical level, front-end developers code in client-side programming languages and build high-performing websites that work in every browser.

Front-End Design Trends

Accessibility

Accessibility is more than a trend. But there is growing emphasis on designing websites to accommodate users from a diverse range of backgrounds and abilities. Front-end developers are committing to accessible online experiences that every visitor can navigate. 

However, the process of making the web more accessible is still a work in progress. In 2020, 98% of the top one million websites didn’t offer full accessibility features. This gap in accessibility has a tangible impact on online business. 

Research by Click-Away Pound has shown that 69% of users with disabilities leave problematic websites, resulting in £17.1 billion ($20.7 billion) in lost business in the United Kingdom in 2019. Given that the UK’s GDP makes up 3.23% of the global economy, we estimate the global impact of website inaccessibility to be $641 billion each year.

On a technical level, the trend toward accessibility is also tied to a number of website performance metrics. Inclusive design has been shown to improve conversions, boost SEO performance, and increase traffic.

High Performance

Gone are the days of waiting several minutes for a page to load. With 1.9 billion websites online, today’s users know that a slow page isn’t worth waiting for — and expect pages to load instantly. As a result, the standards of web development are converging toward extremely fast loading times. 

Modern front-end developers must carefully weigh their design decisions against these increasingly aggressive website performance standards.

Mobile-First Design

In 2020, 68.1% of global website traffic came from mobile devices. Savvy front-end developers recognize that we live in a mobile-first world and build websites with this concept in mind. Mobile-first design is a design philosophy that aims to create better user experiences by prioritizing performance on mobile devices. 

The concept of mobile-first design has been around since 2010, but its adoption has accelerated due to shifts in industry standards and consumer habits. With Google Search now practicing mobile-first indexing, mobile-first design has evolved from a cutting-edge design principle to a non-negotiable approach to web development.

Trending Tools and Technologies

GraphQL

GraphQL is an open-source data query and manipulation language developed by Facebook in 2012. Despite being over a decade old, global interest in GraphQL has been trending for the last three years. And it’s easy to see why.

Neither a front-end or back-end language, GraphQL can be thought of as a language between the two environments that facilitates the exchange of information. This gives front-end developers more autonomy to create or change endpoints without the help of back-end developers. Fast, flexible, and developer-friendly, GraphQL is trending with front-end developers and teams looking to work with APIs. 

Gatsby

Gatsby is an open-source JavaScript framework that combines functionality from React, GraphQL and Webpack to build static or dynamic web applications. With lightning-fast performance and a developer-friendly experience, Gatsby is quickly becoming a favorite among front-end developers and companies alike.

Jamstack

Jamstack is a JavaScript framework that helps developers build dynamic, high-performance, single-page applications. With a new approach to web architecture, Jamstack leverages Git workflows, content delivery networks, pre-rendered content, JavaScript frameworks and Static Site Generators. Jamstack is trending with front-end developers because of its security, developer experience, and scalability.

Progressive Web Apps

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are a type of web application built using common front-end technologies including HTML, CSS, JavaScript. A helpful way to think of PWAs is that they’re apps written in web programming languages that perform and feel like mobile apps built for iOS or Android. 

PWAs have gained widespread adoption for their responsiveness, ease of installation, low development costs, and increased functionality. With billion-dollar companies such as Starbucks, Uber, Pinterest, and Spotify building their businesses around this technology, progressive web apps are quickly becoming standard in web development.

PyScript

PyScript is an emerging Python framework created by Anaconda that enables developers to code Python directly in their browser by interleaving Python in HTML. 

This technology is significant because it makes Python – a backend language – accessible to front-end developers. Developers can now leverage the capabilities of Python to create front-end applications using tools they wouldn’t otherwise have access to. 

Beyond the technical possibilities, the launch of PyScript is a pivotal moment in front-end development. If PyScript is successful, it could inspire software providers to build frameworks that make other back-end languages and functionality available to front-end developers.

Server-Side Rendering

Server-side rendering is the web development practice of rendering a web page on the server side instead of the client side. This offers a number of advantages, including faster load times, improved user experience, and better search engine optimization. However, there are some disadvantages, as server side rendering is more expensive to host and complex to develop. With these constraints, not every team is going to have the resources to invest in the upfront cost of server-side rendering.

Over the next few years, developers and technology companies might be able to work around this problem by creating tools and frameworks that make server-side rendering less resource intensive.

Single Page Applications

A single-page application (SPA) is an application or website that dynamically rewrites an existing web page with new data from the server. This approach replaces the traditional method of loading new pages in the browser. SPAs create a more dynamic user experience with performance improvements and a more responsive front end. However, there are some tradeoffs, as they are harder to maintain and may have a negative impact on search engine optimization.

The post Top 10 Front-End Development Trends in 2022 appeared first on HackerRank Blog.

Front-end developers are responsible for building the experiences that define the internet as we know it. To effectively attract and hire front-end developers, companies need to craft effective job descriptions that communicate the opportunity of the role.

In this post, we break down how hiring managers and recruiters can write successful front-end developer job descriptions.

What Does a Front-End Developer Do?

The first step to writing a compelling job description is having a clear understanding of the discipline of front-end development and the core requirements of the role.

When you load a website or application, the experience consists of two environments. 

The front-end environment – known as the client side – is everything that a user sees and interacts with in their browser. The front end includes buttons, text, links, design, and user experience. Front-end developers are responsible for creating everything the user sees and interacts with in their browser.

On a more technical level, the core job responsibilities of front-end developers include:

• Writing high-quality code
• Building tools that improve site interactivity
• Ensuring high performance on every browser
• Troubleshooting, debugging, and optimizing performance
• Prototyping application interfaces with graphic design tools
• Keeping up-to-date with advancements in technology
• Working in an agile environment
• Creating and implementing UI/UX designs
• Designing information architecture
• Managing API integrations

What Should a Front-End Job Description Include?

Company Value Proposition

From 2020 to 2030, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the number of employed software developers in the U.S. to grow by 22 percent — almost triple the 8 percent average growth rate for all occupations. With this level of demand for their skills, front-end developers will have an endless array of opportunities to choose from. What will make your open role stand out? The first section of your job description needs to address this question.

Communicating the opportunity of the role at hand – along with the employer brand, value proposition, and company culture – is essential to crafting a successful job description.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities section lists the core activities of the role. There are a number of different ways to represent these responsibilities, including daily tasks, monthly responsibilities, objectives of the role, and key outcomes. 

Common front-end developer responsibilities include:

• Design
• Coding
• Planning
• Communication
• Collaboration

Basic Qualifications

The basic qualifications section has two main components.

First, list any degree requirements. A common qualification for front-end roles is for the candidate to have either a BS/BA degree or equivalent experience. If the role is open to applications from bootcamps and self-taught developers, this is also the section to communicate that.

Second is the required years experience scaled to the seniority of the role. This requirement is communicated with either a range or a minimum requirement. For example:

• Entry-level: 0-2 years
• Mid-level: 3-5 years
• Senior-level: 5+ years

Lastly, some companies will also use this section to list experience with a minimum number of programming languages as a basic qualification.

Required Qualifications

The required qualifications section is one of the core sections of a job description. While basic qualifications focus on education and experience, this section gives employers the space to list the must-have technical competencies and soft skills required by the role. 

Common programming languages found in this section include:

• HTML
• CSS
• JavaScript
• TypeScript

Common programming frameworks found in this section include:

• Angular
• Backbone
• Ember
• jQuery
• React
• Vue.js
• Boilerplate
• Foundation
• HTML5
• Semantic UI
• Bootstrap
• Bulma
• Foundation
• Skeleton
• Tailwind CSS

Common technical competencies found in this section include:

• Hands-on development experience with front-end languages
• Familiarity with key front-end frameworks
• Mobile-first development experience
• Strong sense of web and user interface design
• Strong knowledge of web standards including HTML5 and CSS/SASS
• Advanced knowledge of user experience design, accessibility standards, API development, and information architecture
• Knowledge of industry-wide technology trends and best practices

Common soft skills found in this section include:

• Communication
• Technical communication
• Project management
• Time management
• Problem solving

Other Desired Skills & Nice-to-Haves

While not present on every job description, some companies will elect to mention additional skills that the company desires but not required to succeed in the role. An example of a nice-to-have for a front-end developer would be experience in technical search engine optimization.

Sample Job Description

The job descriptions for front-end roles can vary widely, depending on the responsibilities, compensation, and seniority of the position. That said, there are commonalities between descriptions you can take advantage of. Here’s an example of a job description for a mid-level front-end development role.

Title: Front-End Developer II

Full-time. Associate.

Responsibilities

Development – Responsible for design, development, testing, deployment, and support of front-end applications.

Delivery – Agile delivery of solutions aligned to business needs while maintaining a high standard of quality. Participate in code reviews and troubleshoot bugs.

Collaboration – Partner with product owners to understand business and product requirements to translate them into design solutions.

Communication – Clearly communicate roadmap, backlog, and team updates across the organization.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in front-end development
• BS/BA degree or equivalent experience

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on development experience with HTML, CSS, and JS
• Familiar with front-end frameworks such as AngularJS, React, and Vue.js
• 3+ years of hands-on mobile-first development experience
• Strong sense of web and user interface design
• Strong knowledge of web standards including HTML5
• and CSS/SASS
• Advanced knowledge of user experience design, accessibility standards, API development, and information architecture
• Knowledge of industry-wide technology trends and best
• practices

Other Desired Skills

• Experience with search engine optimization
• Experience with graphical editing tools

Resource for Hiring Front-End Developers

What Does a Front-End Developer Do? Job Overview & Skill Expectations

How to Evaluate a Front-End Developer

The post How to Write a Front-End Developer Job Description [Template] appeared first on HackerRank Blog.