7 Types of Programmers: A Comprehensive Guide

According to a study published in 2021 by Grand View Research, the valuation of the entire business software and services market globally stood at USD 474.61 billion in 2022. Not only that, it is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.9% between 2023 and 2030. It indicates how the software development industry and the demand for software engineers is growing exponentially.

But the information available is often confusing for people who want to learn more about tech roles and responsibilities, like business owners or aspiring developers. Similar-sounding job profiles and overlap between responsibilities make clear-cut categorization harder. Earlier, developers were broadly categorized by their expertise- Front end, Back end, etc. However, as more developers are honing a diverse skill set and expanding their knowledge of other development elements, those categorizations have become obsolete.

It poses an immense challenge for those on the outside looking in. Hence, I have prepared this comprehensive guide to help people understand the different types of developers out there. By understanding the different roles and responsibilities developers fulfill, a business owner, for example, can prudently choose the skill set that best fits their requirements.

This comprehensive guide covers 7 categories of programmers. But before we learn those roles, let’s first understand who software developers are and what they do precisely.

Who are Software Developers?

A software developer is a person who produces and evaluates code to construct computer programs. A computer program encompasses everything from a phone app to a Windows operating system. So, essentially every category of developers has branched out from Software Developers.

Regarding qualification, Software developers generally have a graduate degree, preferably in computer science, but other similar domains also work. They do not necessarily have to take the conventional academic path. The knowledge and skill sets required to be a software developer can be acquired through online courses and alternative learning methods. The only needed expertise is a command over coding languages such as Java, C++, Python, etc. We live in a digital era, where almost every industry requires software developers, be it manufacturing, transportation, FMCG, education, finance, healthcare, or any other industry.

7 Types of Programmers

Now that you know who software developers are, let’s dive into the major categories of programmers and understand what their job entails in terms of their roles and responsibilities.

1.Website Developers

Website developers are the people who are responsible for creating websites from scratch. To ensure that websites function properly, they design, develop, and test them. Web designers employ a range of coding languages and tools to build appealing, useful websites that work on all platforms.Web developers or web designers create websites. While web engineers concentrate on the functioning of a site, web designers often concentrate on its appearance. Website creation and upkeep are the primary responsibility and tasks of website developers.

2.Software Engineers

Software engineers develop and design software systems. They get to work when other developers have completed writing different code components. They test codes to prevent program crashes and detect malfunctions. They evaluate the program to make sure nothing goes wrong.

Companies can enlist software engineers to spot unforeseen factors and avoid app crashes. Knowledge of programming languages, analytical skills, communication skills, and creativity are some of the hallmarks of Software engineers. They can be broadly categorized into systems development engineers and application development engineers. Systems developers build computer systems and networks that front-end applications need, while application developers design software that end-users will interact with. Common job titles in software engineering include Software Engineer, Lead Software Engineer, and Senior Software Engineer.

3.Game Programmers

According to Statista, the video gaming industry will likely generate US$ 372.00bn in revenue this year. The industry is also expected to keep growing at a CAGR of 7.80%, reaching a behemoth market volume of US$502.40bn by 2027. The prevalence of online gaming is hard to ignore, and it’s equally hard to ignore the programming geniuses pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Game programmers are developers who have mastered developing video games for various platforms, including but not limited to Mac, Android, Windows, iOS, and Linux. Game programmers get their project briefs and direction from their clients. They then apply their expertise in coding to develop games that match the client’s vision.

It is typical for a head programmer to oversee the team of developers throughout the game project. In fact, it is considered essential to excel at game development for a supervisor to keep an eye on whether everything is aligning with the larger vision of the project or not. Usually, a programmer controls the game’s basic functionality, while a sound programmer adds sound effects. A 3D programmer handles all of the game’s 3D components.

Game programmers, piece by piece, work on numerous components such as audio, animations, story-telling, etc., bringing them together to formulate a cohesive, immersive experience for the players. Hence, game developers must also take an interest in these areas, so they can keep honing their knowledge, skills, and understanding in these domains.

Lastly, if you aim to become a game programmer, it is also important for you to have a good understanding of game engines such as Godot, Unity, and Blender.

4.Data Scientists

When The term “Data Science” was first used in 2001, no one would have thought that in 2023, it would become one of the most coveted jobs around the globe. Every business would like to hire a data scientist. However, not every business can afford to pay for their level of skill set, which is unique.

Data Scientists are programmers who specialize in handling large data sets to derive patterns and navigate tricky problems. They use languages such as Python and R and tools like SQL and Hadoop to obtain insights and tackle complicated challenges.

Database developers use codes to create and manage databases that store and analyze large amounts of data for clients in specific industries. Data scientists enable users to examine, process, and store data in a systematically structured manner.

Data scientists collaborate with clients to design and implement new databases, maintain and improve existing database systems, test databases for performance, and identify areas for improvement.

5.Mobile App Developers

Mobile app developers create software applications for smartphones and tablets that serve different purposes, such as gaming, social networking, and productivity. The development process includes planning, designing, coding, testing, and deployment. Developers work in teams with designers and project managers to meet user needs.

Mobile app development involves two primary platforms, iOS and Android, and developers must know the programming languages and frameworks for both. Swift is the main language for iOS development, with Objective-C also in use. Android developers use Java with Kotlin, as it’s becoming increasingly popular.

Developers also need knowledge of design principles, user experience, mobile app security, optimizing app performance, and battery usage. This field is complex and constantly evolving, requiring mobile app developers to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and best practices to create high-quality apps.

6.DevOps Engineers

A more appropriate way of thinking about DevOps engineers is to see them as professionals who are responsible for bridging the gap between software development and IT operations.

DevOps is a term that is derived from merging two words- Development and Operations. It is their responsibility to cultivate an IT operations framework of continuous integration and deployment. DevOps Engineers do that by coordinating with software developers and the teams in charge of quality assurance.

By coordinating and collaborating with both developers and quality control teams, DevOps engineers achieve the following:

• A more rationalized and simplified software development process,
• More smooth IT operations,
• Better alignment between all the various parts of the software development process.
• Rapid delivery of the end product.
• A reliable, quality end product.

DevOps Engineers work on designing and building automated deployment pipelines, which are key to rapid delivery of software updates and new features. DevOps engineers use a variety of tools and technologies, such as Git, Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud computing platforms like AWS and Azure, to manage and automate the software delivery process.

In addition to technical skills, DevOps engineers also possess excellent communication and collaboration skills. They are responsible for breaking down communication barriers between different teams and ensuring that everyone is working towards the same goals. DevOps engineers also play a critical role in ensuring that software development meets the security and compliance standards of the organization.

7. AI Engineers

In 2023, we are all witnessing the massive adoption of Chat GPT across industries. It’s safe to say that in the coming years, the demand for Artificial intelligence ( AI ) developers will only rise. Hence, it only makes sense to include this category here.

AI engineers focus on creating AI-based systems, apps, and solutions. They tend to concentrate on tasks using sophisticated machine learning techniques, computer vision, natural language processing, and other AI technologies.

Programming languages used by AI engineers include Java, Python, C++, and R, among others. AI engineers work with tools and frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, and Scikit-Learn. These technologies allow AI developers to create, train, test, and use complicated AI models.

Besides development and AI-related tools, AI developers also use big data technologies like Hadoop, Spark, and NoSQL databases. Thanks to these technologies, AI developers can now handle and analyze massive amounts of data, which is crucial for creating powerful AI models.

Conclusion

Our modern digital age depends heavily on programming to keep functioning. Programming is now more than just a skill; it is a talent desired by and required in almost every business. We have examined above how there are so many different kinds of programmers whose expertise businesses can benefit from. If you are a business owner, hopefully, you have found this post useful in narrowing down the skillsets you want for your business. Or, if you are an aspiring programmer, hopefully, this post gives you a concise introduction to all the different kinds of roles you can potentially fill in. Computer programmers have become a crucial engine fueling our economic progress as a society. Hence, understanding what they do and how they do it will give us a better understanding of how we can make their job easier and their output superior.