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What Kind of Developer Do You Really Need?

Yellow background surrounding a photo of a man sitting at multiple screens and devices What Kind of Developer Do You Really Need?

Are you looking to add a tech expert to your team but need help determining the best type of developer for the work? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Sourcing, screening, and signing on developers has been a struggle for many hiring managers over the past few years, especially with constantly changing development trends. With so many kinds of developers out there, it can be tough to know what to look for.

The number of open positions for different types of developers has increased, and the demand is expected to continue to rise as technology evolves.

Let’s explore various types of developers, what they do, and help you better understand what kind of developer you may need for your project or team.

What Do Developers Generally Do?

The term “developer” is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide variety of roles and responsibilities. Sometimes referred to as computer programmers or software developers, they are typically responsible for creating, coding, installing, and maintaining a specific software system.

On a given day, different types of developers may:

  • Design and test software programs
  • Perform maintenance of existing software
  • Document processes regarding maintenance and upgrades
  • Analyze the needs of a client, employer, customer, or software user
  • Troubleshoot programs, modify code, and make additional adjustments per request of a client or as needed

Some developers may work for a company individually or as part of a team, or they can work as contractors or freelancers for specific projects or services. In either case, developers typically concentrate on a specific type of development. That area becomes their niche, though they may dabble with other programming languages, databases, systems, or software.

Developers don’t always have a singular or typical career path, since how they learned their skills and moved up the ladder can depend on their interests and the industry they’ve worked in. Nevertheless, there are specific requirements a developer needs to become successful in their career.


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What Does It Take To Become a Developer?

Becoming a developer varies depending on their focus area, but a person can decide to pursue higher education to learn the necessary skills or attend a coding school or program. There are, however, a vast number of developers who are self-taught and have built their craft through hands-on experience.

This can look like:

  • Learning a programming language
  • Taking online courses or certifications
  • Developing technical skills focused on a particular niche
  • Building soft skills such as communication, organization, and problem-solving
  • Gaining entry-level experience and create a portfolio of their work to present to prospective employers or clients 

10 Different Kinds of Developers

Here are ten different types of developers that can assist your company depending on your business needs.

1. App (Application) Developers

Apps are essential to many business functions. App developers design, create, and maintain programs for devices—typically mobile phone applications.

An app developer can work in practically any industry. Apps allow companies to engage more with their audience, market products or services, and increase their target audience exponentially.

2. Web Developers

Web developers create and maintain websites and can be invaluable to any business looking to have an online presence through a website. A web developer can focus on front-end development, back-end development, or both (they’re called full stack developers).

Front end developers work on websites, ensuring the quality of the appearance—design, layout, graphics, integrated apps, and content—and the company’s aesthetic. Where front end developers focus on appearance, back end developers focus on what goes on behind the scenes. Essentially, they’re responsible for creating and maintaining the website, ensuring its functionality. That often includes developing servers and databases, managing website data, preventing hacks, generating analytics, and testing or troubleshooting websites.

Full stack developers are experts in both front-end and back-end development. Through a culmination of many years of creating and maintaining websites, they have the knowledge and skills to design, develop, and preserve the appearance and functionality of your website.

If you want to improve your online presence through a website, web developers—including front and back-end or full-stack developers—may be the way to go. Hiring managers can determine if they have enough work for these kinds of roles to bring them on full-time, as a contractor or freelancer, or work with an agency that has them on staff.

3. Game Developers

A game developer is responsible for developing user interfaces, graphics, AI, and other designs to create video games. They focus on developing new game design ideas, collaborating with designers, creating and modifying code, and typically creating games for a single console.

Game designers usually work exclusively for gaming companies. However, they can also work for marketing companies, graphic designers, and other software developers, effectively lending their skills to other industries.

4. Cloud Developers

A cloud developer typically designs cloud applications, services, or products. A company may also benefit from a cloud developer if their looking for someone to create a network to store company data. That may include designing and maintaining a cloud database to protect data and improve that database as necessary.

With so many companies going remote and virtual, ensuring data security is crucial, which cloud developers can help with. An AWS developer is one example of a cloud developer.

5. Java Developers

Java developers specialize in the Java programming language. They use this knowledge to design, develop, monitor, and maintain software for many platforms. A Java developer may collaborate with software engineers, web developers, and other Java experts to create an app, website, or other program for your company. That includes maintaining the program as needed.


List of 10 Different Kinds of Developers 1. App Developer 2. Web Developer 3. Game Developer 4. Cloud Developer 5. JAVA Developer 6. Javascript Developer 7. Python Developer 8. .NET Developer 9. SQL Developer 10. Salesforce Developer

6. Javascript Developers

These developers design software using Javascript—a different language from Java. According to java.com, “Java is an OOP programming language while Java Script is an OOP scripting language. Java creates applications that run in a virtual machine or browser while JavaScript code is run on a browser only. Java code needs to be compiled while JavaScript code are all in text.”

Javascript developers typically optimize web and mobile apps, developing new features, improving operations, and making them more responsive.

If you’re looking for someone to create a program that runs alone, Java developers might help. A Javascript developer may be a superior option if your ultimate goal is to improve current programs, create lightweight plugins for them, and enhance front-end features.

7. Python Developers

Python developers work in a variety of industries because of the versatility of Python. For example, Python experts can build websites, design games, create new programming languages, and develop software for many business needs, including data analytics, scientific and financial operations, graphic applications, and a number of other functions.

Whether your company focuses on creating video games, managing financial data, or working in the tech industry, Python developers can be an invaluable asset to your development team.

8. .NET Developers

.NET developers specialize in using .NET—Microsoft’s free and open-source software development platform—to create applications for websites, desktops, and mobile devices. They’re responsible for writing code with .NET language to develop new applications, testing and maintaining those applications, troubleshooting and improving existing applications, and providing additional support.

.NET developers can offer companies many benefits. They can create or improve current applications to ensure security and positive user experience and maintain the high-quality functionality of your .NET applications.

9. SQL Developers

SQL developers are professionals who create and manage SQL databases, optimize their performance, and complete additional complex tasks regarding database management.

Hiring an SQL developer has many benefits. They can build a database for your company, create SQL queries that integrate with your existing applications, develop application development procedures, and maintain the security of your data and backups.

10. Salesforce Developers

Many developers perform similar functions. What varies is the systems or programming language they use. Salesforce developers write software on Salesforce CRM platforms and technologies. That includes creating websites, developing apps, and solving other complex problems.

A Salesforce developer should know all the bells and whistles to develop your business more with Salesforce. Salesforce keeps track of sales data, monitors customer interactions, and offers several automation tools to assist your business.

The duties and responsibilities of the different kinds of developers vary. But there are also many similarities, and choosing the best developer for your company depends on your business needs and long-term visions and goals.



Consider Hiring a Developer Today

In addition to learning their craft and honing their skills with programming languages, software, databases, and systems, developers focus on understanding client and employer needs, following specifications to create prototypes, writing quality code to develop high-functioning programs, and performing tests before launching new software.

Once an application, database, or another type of software launches, they may continue performing routine maintenance, troubleshooting, debugging, reprogramming, and fulfilling additional modifications to ensure your satisfaction and the company’s success.

Insight Global can help you source, screen, and hire top-tier developers for your team. Thanks to our database of all-star developers, we can help find you the best developer for your business needs today.

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