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Application software developer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
Quoted experts
Travis Mandel Ph.D.,
Travis Mandel Ph.D.
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical application software developer skills. We ranked the top skills for application software developers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 20.5% of application software developer resumes contained java as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an application software developer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 application software developer skills for your resume and career

1. Java

Java is a widely-known programming language that was invented in 1995 and is owned by Oracle. It is a server-side language that was created to let app developers "write once, run anywhere". It is easy and simple to learn and use and is powerful, fast, and secure. This object-oriented programming language lets the code be reused that automatically lowers the development cost. Java is specially used for android apps, web and application servers, games, database connections, etc. This programming language is closely related to C++ making it easier for the users to switch between the two.

Here's how application software developers use java:
  • Worked extensively on customizing list entry forms and written Java Script validation.
  • Migrated the Requisites processing application from legacy java to J2EE architecture.

2. C++

C++ is a general-purpose programming language that is used to create high-performing applications. It was invented as an extension to the C language. C++ lets the programmer have a high level of domination over memory and system resources. C++ is an object-oriented language that helps you implement real-time issues based on different data functions

Here's how application software developers use c++:
  • Used Visual C++ 6.0 and Compaq FORTRAN to port solvers from UNIX to Windows 2000 workstations.
  • Designed and implemented database access components in C++ under UNIX HP.

3. JavaScript

Here's how application software developers use javascript:
  • Implemented client-side validations using JavaScript and AJAX Library.
  • Developed UI for Customer Service Modules and Reports using JSF, JSP's, Ajax4JSF framework (Ajax), JavaScript.

4. Python

Python is a widely-known programming language. It is an object-oriented and all-purpose, coding language that can be used for software development as well as web development.

Here's how application software developers use python:
  • Created software specifications to ensure Python API communication with hardware.
  • Develop build and release tools for Clearcase and GIT using python scripts.

5. Object Oriented Programming

Here's how application software developers use object oriented programming:
  • Developed Web Based Banking Applications like Brand Migration, Mortgage Module Development and Snapshot Functionality using Object Oriented Programming.
  • Developed and enhanced dozens of Visual Studio applications for a financial system using procedural based and object oriented programming.

6. Application Development

Here's how application software developers use application development:
  • Supported application development, business analysis, research and development, system integration, defect management and production support.
  • Worked all phases of project development from gathering customer requirements through application development, delivery & support.

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7. CSS

Here's how application software developers use css:
  • Included taking a leadership role on interfacing ARMS with other applications such as CSS, IDMS, TCMS, DOES etc.
  • Expedited delivery of an insurance provider's mobile application across multiple platforms by using PhoneGap, HTML5 and CSS.

8. HTML

Here's how application software developers use html:
  • Implemented generation of various output files for pagination in different newspapers and HTML output for publishing to the World Wide Web.
  • Design COM / Web based Version audit program using ActiveX, COM, Ole Automation, and HTML.

9. Software Applications

A software application is any computer program developed and used by consumers, such as Microsoft's suite of products (Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.), Internet browsers such as Firefox, Safari, and Chrome, or browser add-ons that Defendant preinstalls or causes to be preinstalled onto a Covered Product. The software application is designed to help the user perform specific tasks - personal, educational, and business functions.

Here's how application software developers use software applications:
  • Worked in development, testing, implementation, deployment and documentation of custom software applications.
  • Designed, developed and tested challenging Internet software applications.

10. Linux

Linux is a Unix-like operating system. Just like Windows, Mac OS, and IOS, Linux is an operating system used by millions across the globe. Android itself is powered by the Linux operating system. Linux manages all the hardware resources that are associated with your computer. The software is famous because of the protection it grants from viruses, malware, and crashes. The Linux operating system is entirely free and is an open-source software meaning it can be altered by those equipped with the knowledge to code.

Here's how application software developers use linux:
  • Ported database and programming from UniVerse to In-house Linux server administrator.
  • Developed high availability real time Messaging system for financial/Banking transactions and developed associated components in Linux, UNIX, AIX platforms.

11. GIT

Here's how application software developers use git:
  • Used GIT for All Source code management Used JIRA for Task management and bug tracking.
  • Maintain Configuration Management (CM) git repositories for internal/external developed software and resolve subsystem to subsystem daily merge/integration issues.

12. Html Css

Here's how application software developers use html css:
  • Created several modules and forms using HTML CSS are performed styling for pages.
  • Created UI using HTML CSS and JavaScript's.

13. API

Here's how application software developers use api:
  • Map Designer API - Authored specification for an API (ATL COM) that would interface to our Networked Matrix system.
  • Used SharePoint Designer and SharePoint Rest API.

14. Front End

Here's how application software developers use front end:
  • Developed automated database log submission process using ASP.NET front end coupled with AJAX technologies.
  • Developed front end to read/parse csv, text files & insert data into MySQL database.

15. XML

XML is a medium for storing and transporting data that is independent of software and hardware. XML stands for eXtensible Markup Language. XML, like HTML, is a markup language that was created to store and transport data. It was created with the intention of being self-descriptive. There are no predefined tags in the XML language. Another feature is that XML is extensible.

Here's how application software developers use xml:
  • Created Queries and Reports, Parsing, Merging and Exporting data to XML and uploading to Web based Applications.
  • Created XML Schema Definitions (XSD) using XPATH and XML SPY for validation in business work processes.
top-skills

What skills help Application Software Developers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on application software developer resumes?

Travis Mandel Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, University of Hawaii at Hilo

The number one thing that employers typically look for is a project that demonstrates your ability to program something new and useful. The best projects are ones that someone undertakes independently or with a small group of others - if it is the latter, you need to clarify what you contributed. It's even better if you include a link to public code on Github so that employers can look around your Github page and get a sense of your coding style. A working demo is also very impressive. Ideally, this wouldn't be something you were forced to do for a class but rather something you took the independent initiative to do.

College GPA doesn't matter as much as people think it does - most companies care much more about what you can do than how well you did in class. Unless it is extremely low, it shouldn't be a problem. Listing courses can be useful, but even better would be listing skills you learned in classes. For instance, the class "Artificial Intelligence" means completely different things at institutions. So employers may not necessarily understand what skills you learned in that class unless you highlight them.

What soft skills should all application software developers possess?

Travis Mandel Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, University of Hawaii at Hilo

Although computer science seems like a highly technical field, soft skills are really what differentiates software engineers. One of the most important qualities of any software engineer is explaining their code clearly at various levels of technical depth and explaining why certain design decisions were made. You could write code that does amazing things, but if that code consists of snippets you pasted from StackOverflow without really fully understanding them, it will be a huge headache for anyone who needs to come into the codebase later and maintain or update it.

Another one is asking the right questions. Imagine you are dropped into a huge codebase and asked to add a new feature (very common!). There's no time to understand everything that is going on, but on the other hand, you need to understand enough of the code to do your task effectively, which involves asking questions. A failure to ask questions will likely result in you wasting a huge amount of time working on something that is ultimately not useful, for instance, re-implementing a complex function that already exists somewhere in the codebase.

What hard/technical skills are most important for application software developers?

Travis Mandel Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, University of Hawaii at Hilo

Being comfortable with refactoring code is definitely one of the big ones here. Absolutely no one writes perfect code right off the bat - a good software engineer should recognize that and always be open and receptive to suggestions about improving their code. Even in the absence of such suggestions, a software engineer must be able to independently recognize that "the tower is about to fall over"! Meaning, if the code is turning into a real mess, a good software engineer will be able to realize that and independently begin refactoring it into a better state, even if that takes time away from implementing new features.

Another one I'll mention briefly is designing class inheritance diagrams to solve a new problem. The right structure here can allow components to be easily re-used and extended. But the wrong structure can lead to disastrous consequences, so it requires a lot of thought about how things will likely evolve in the future.

What application software developer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Ali Alouani

Professor of ECE

Be confident, work hard, and have good communication skill.

What technical skills for an application software developer stand out to employers?

John Russo

Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Computer Science, Landmark College

As I mentioned above, the ability to adapt to change. My favorite course is database management systems. I tell my students that the software that we use today likely will not be around for the entire span of their careers. They really need to learn how to quickly work with new technologies, languages and systems. In the span of my career much has changed. I have always found new technologies exciting and refreshing. Employers want to hire graduates who have a set of technical skills in programming languages, database management systems and techniques (such as data mining) but also can learn on the job and be excited to learn new things.

List of application software developer skills to add to your resume

Application software developer skills

The most important skills for an application software developer resume and required skills for an application software developer to have include:

  • Java
  • C++
  • JavaScript
  • Python
  • Object Oriented Programming
  • Application Development
  • CSS
  • HTML
  • Software Applications
  • Linux
  • GIT
  • Html Css
  • API
  • Front End
  • XML
  • Version Control
  • JQuery
  • Azure
  • UI
  • Web Application
  • Debugging
  • JSON
  • Development Environment
  • MVC
  • Visualization
  • Http
  • SDLC
  • Jenkins
  • Bootstrap
  • Unix
  • PHP
  • User Interface
  • Spring Framework
  • Eclipse
  • J2EE
  • PL/SQL
  • Web Application Development
  • Junit
  • Ruby
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Core Java
  • SharePoint
  • HTML5
  • Maven
  • C Net
  • Android
  • Management System

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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