What Does a Software Developer Do? (And How to Become One)

Software developers design, build, and troubleshoot software applications and computer systems across a variety of industries. If you're a creative thinker with strong analytical skills who enjoys problem-solving, this dynamic career path may be a great fit. Whether you choose to teach yourself, pursue a certification, take online courses, or earn a college degree, there are multiple paths that can lead you to success in software development. Use this article to learn more about the skills, responsibilities, and career opportunities available in this fast-growing field

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What is software development?

Software developers use their programming skills to create new software and improve existing software applications. They design and write the code used to build everything from operating systems to mobile apps to video games. In this role, you'd be involved with every stage of the software development life cycle (SDLC), from defining user needs and anticipating user behavior to releasing a complete application. You are likely to work on a team with other software developers, engineers, or computer programmers. 

What do software developers do?

Day-to-day tasks for software developers include:

• Analyzing the needs of clients and users

• Designing, testing, and building programs to meet user and business needs

• Creating models and diagrams that outline the code needed to create software and applications

• Performing maintenance and testing to keep software functioning

• Documenting the process to provide the information needed for upgrades and maintenance

In this role, you'll also meet with other members of the development team to discuss software requirements, share technical documentation, and discuss workload and responsibilities, such as code reviews or bugs in software. These level-set meetings often take place daily and are known as stand-ups.

What is the software development life cycle?

The software development life cycle (SDLC) is a step-by-step framework that guides how software is planned, developed, tested, and maintained. It breaks the process into clear stages such as planning, design, coding, testing, and deployment. This helps teams stay organized and deliver reliable, high-quality software. Whether following a traditional approach like Waterfall or a more flexible method like Agile, the SDLC provides the foundation development teams need for managing software projects effectively.

Software developer salary

Software developers in the United States earn a median annual income of $131,450 [1]. Factors that can influence your income as a software developer include industry, company, location, expertise, and experience level. Learn more by referencing the Software Developer Salary Guide.

Software developer jobs

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that demand for software developers will grow by 17 percent between 2023 and 2033, which is much faster than the average for all occupations [1]. Job titles in this industry can vary depending on expertise and specialization or focus. Here are a few examples of career paths in software development you may pursue depending on your strengths and interests:

• Video game developer

• Full-stack developer

• Blockchain developer

• Back-end developer

• AI developer

• Web developer

• Front-end developer

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Software development vs. software engineering

Software developers and engineers perform many of the same functions using many of the same skills. However, software developers tend to focus on designing applications or software for specific systems. They may work on a smaller scale than engineers, focusing on a niche like mobile app development or the Internet of Things (IoT). Software engineers, on the other hand, may orchestrate software architecture as a whole or design larger-scale software solutions. In addition to programming, they may be responsible for tasks related to data analytics, software design, and scaling.

Read more: Software Developer vs. Software Engineer: What are the Differences in These Roles?

How to become a software developer

Here are a few tips that can help you advance toward your goals if you plan to pursue a career in software development. Overall, you'll need to gain hands-on experience, sharpen your analytical skills, and learn more about the software development process.

Consider earning a degree

Seventy-two percent of software developers earn a bachelor's degree, 20 percent earn a master's degree, and five percent earn an associate degree [2]. Common areas of study include:

• Computer science. A computer science degree combines math, science, and engineering to study and develop everything from software to networks and computers. Many choose to pursue a degree in computer science with the goal of becoming a software engineer, but it also affords opportunities for many other careers in the field. 

• Information technology (IT). Information technology majors study the development of networks, databases, computer systems, web applications, and more. These majors also study the hardware required for all those digital processes. A background in IT can help a hopeful developer gain the skills needed to become a software engineer.

Keep in mind that being a self-taught software developer is also an option. However, your studies may take longer, given the lack of professional guidance or suggested schedule.

Learn a programming language.

For a career in software development, you'll need a solid foundation in programming languages. Four you might consider mastering include Java, Python, C++, and Scala. Python is widely considered one of the easier languages to learn, which makes it a great place to start if you’re new to programming. This object-oriented language is also known for its versatility, with applications in scripting, development, and data analysis.

Looking to learn your first language? Many people start with Python because it's popular, beginner-friendly, and versatile. You can learn Python in as little as two months with the University of Michigan's Python for Everybody Specialization.

Find your niche.

There are many areas in which you can use your skills as a software developer. If you have a passion for app design, you could choose to develop your skills by practicing building mobile apps. If you'd rather work on the infrastructure of computers and servers, you might specialize as a DevOps engineer instead. And with generative AI (GenAI) a popular field, developing your skills with large language models (LLMs) can be a lucrative career path.

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Practice

Need some guidance as you practice? You can complete these Guided Projects in two hours or less (no software downloads required) while completing projects for your developer portfolio:

• Create Your First Multithreaded Application in Java

• Build a Machine Learning Web App with Streamlit and Python

• Make a Postage Calculator with Scala

• Docker Essentials & Building a Containerized Web Application

• Creating Your First C++ Application

Expert tip

"If you're interested in starting a side project, think about an application that relates to your hobbies and passions—it's easiest to motivate yourself to work on things that you enjoy," says Katie Van Dyk, a software engineer at Meta. "I also recommend outlining what specific tech or skills you want to learn and designing your project around these."

To practice her skills, Van Dyk created a central place to house all of the menus for eateries around her college campus. "This project was relevant to my daily routine and it involved building a UI in React, which I was aiming to learn more about before my full-time role," she recalls. "It was a great experience to put on my resume and talk about in interviews!"

How to become a software developer without a degree

You have options if you want to become a software developer but earning a college degree isn't part of your immediate plans. Typically, potential employers prefer candidates who have proven hands-on experience, professional credentials, specialized skills, or a combination of the three. Building a portfolio of your work is also a crucial step in any software development job search. Consider these commonly earned credentials among software developers, along with the amount of time it takes to complete each one:

• Professional Certificates. Professional Certificates are programs offered by universities and tech industry leaders on platforms such as Coursera. They are self-paced, but you may complete training in less than six months while working a full-time job.

• Coding boot camps. Coding or software engineering boot camps are intensive programs offered by a wide range of entities, typically online. The completion time for coding boot camps usually ranges from three to six months. If you decide to enroll in a coding boot camp, make sure to research the organization offering the credentials to ensure you get the best outcome possible.

How long does it take to become a software developer?

The amount of time it takes to become a software developer will depend on your current skill level, the industry you want to work in, and even the company you want to work for. Regardless of the path you've chosen, consistent practice, building projects, and staying up to date with industry trends are key to becoming job-ready. With commitment to learning, you can learn a programming language in just a few months.

How to become a software developer with no experience

Overall, as a software developer, your role typically involves turning a client’s idea into a working application. You may also be working with a team, having bug fixes or action items assigned to you that consist of developing small pieces of code that fit into a larger application.

If you're brand new to the field of software development, start by learning some of the basic skills shared by all types of software developers:

• Communication skills. As a software developer, you may need to give others instructions while working on projects. You'll also have to explain how things work and answer questions clients and supervisors may have. Clear and effective communication with stakeholders and the rest of the development team may make for a much smoother project.

• Adaptability: Adaptability demonstrates the ability to handle changes commonly encountered during the software development life cycle. It’s essential to be versatile and ready to shift focus as plans change and technology evolves.

• Problem-solving: Issues will arise when developing software. Much of the software development process is iterative, meaning you'll revisit steps and phases as many times as necessary to improve upon a product. Having excellent problem-solving skills may help you handle issues quickly, independently, and efficiently without significant disruptions to the project.

• Patience: The process of developing software may be tedious and time-intensive. Developing, testing, and, finally, deploying the project can be an excellent test of patience. After completing the project, it may need updating or debugging. Patience may also come in handy when working under tight deadlines or with other developers and coworkers.

• Programming skills: All software developer jobs require some level of coding skills. You have the option to choose from many different types of programming languages, although some may be more approachable than others for beginners, such as Python outlined above.

Launch a career in one of the fastest-growing fields with Coursera

If you're preparing for your first software development role, you can use Amazon's Junior Software Developer Professional Certificate program to build the foundational skills you need for a high-growth tech career. You'll focus on Agile methodologies, full stack web development, SQL, GenAI, and more—no prior experience required.

Or, start your own learning path with an in-demand programming language like Python. With Python for Everybody offered by the University of Michigan, you'll obtain beginner-friendly guidance through the development of your very first applications.