Software Developer versus Software Engineer

So you want to get into Software as a career. You go on Google to search Software Engineers but also occasionally see Software Developers. While both share similarities, there are also main differences in terms of daily tasks and job descriptions. If that’s the case, what’s the difference between Software Engineer versus Software Developer? Do those differences matter?

Software Engineers

Knowledgeable in systems and software architect

Software Engineers are able to work in multiple environments. This makes Software Engineers very useful because they are able to detect problems by diving through each component of the Software. 

Less interaction with Users

Since software engineers are very back-end focused, they deal with development that users do not know about. Development such as API’s and databases work behind the scenes and are not visible to the front-end user. 

Develop APIs (Application Programming Interface)

API are typically written in server-side language. Software Engineers develop APIs in order to expose certain data to the client. 

Typically these API endpoints pull data from a database server and serve data in a digestible manner (usually in JSON format). These endpoints are called by the client and the browser can do whatever it pleases, such as displaying it to the user. 

Knowledgeable in server-side languages (C++, C#, Java etc)

Software Engineers are fluent in server-side language because programming courses at universities are typically taught in server-side languages. So it is natural that college graduates are more prepared for Software Engineer roles.

Software Developers

More tied to Web Developers

This is due to the increased popularity in Coding Bootcamp that market their courses to become Software Developers. Coding Bootcamps are mainly about Web Development, which is why so many boot camp graduates are also web developers. 

Knowledgeable in developing stand alone software

Software Developers are specialized in developing standalone software. Rather than looking at the system as a whole, Software Developers are responsible for developing and maintaining a single component in an entire system. 

More focus on human-computer interaction

Software Developers are more focused on usability such as web response times, user interface and web design. Software Developers focus on SEO metrics such as time-on-page, page load times, click-per-page, etc.

Software Developers are hands on with the client and usually work very closely with business. Developers’ main goal is general usability to make sure the client facing program is working as optimal as possible.

More focused on front-end technologies

Software Developers are often more experienced in front-end languages such as Javascript. Popular javascript libraries used by Software Developers include Typescript, React.js and Angular. 

Usually self-taught

Software developers are usually self-taught since they heavily work with front-end development. Front-end programming languages such as Javascript are not taught in universities. Therefore, it is most likely that Software Developers are self-taught or came from a non-traditional education system such as a coding bootcamp.

Works with API

Software Developers mostly consume APIs. Data retrieved from APIs are then converted and displayed to the client in a more human readable fashion.

Software Developer versus Software Engineer

Since 2004, Software Engineer is the more popular term used to describe programmers. Throughout the years, companies started using Software Engineers more frequently in job descriptions, resulting in a higher demand for Software Engineers. 

This is further solidified by large companies such as Microsoft and Amazon using Software Engineers in job titles. Software Engineer I, II and III are used to determine experience. You rarely see companies use Software Developer I, II and III.

Software Engineers are more experienced than software developers

Although the two terms are not tied directly to experience, the general consensus is that Software Engineers are more experienced and have a wider skills set than software developers.

Software developers are typically less experience and have a smaller skillset. Only works with front-end technology.

So what’s the difference?

Despite the differences listed above, Software Developers and Software Engineers are used so interchangeably that they are seen as the same. In fact, most companies do not different between the two at all.

Don’t put too much thought into the terminology. Focus on working on your programming skills. 

Whether you are a Software Developer or Software Engineer, your goal is to bring value to the company by providing business solutions. Use your programming skills to create software solutions to help solve a pain point that your company may have.

For one, Software Engineer is searched more frequently on Google, therefore the demand for Software Engineers is higher. 

In addition, the average pay for a Software Engineer is higher, even though they are the same job.

If I MUST choose one or the other, however, I’d go with Software Engineer. 

-Bao