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What does a program developer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Steven Coutinho
What does a program developer do

A software developer is mostly responsible for the development, implementation, and design of new or modified software products or current business projects. They typically work within the IT department of a company and will be involved in coordinating with the business analysts and development managers to guarantee software projects meet standard requirements. They do complex tasks from testing to evaluating new program design, modification of existing programs, and subsequently developing these modifications. In addition, deploying software tools, maintaining and upgrading existing systems are also part of their responsibilities.

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Program developer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real program developer resumes:

  • Develop windows forms programs to automate manual in-house processes integrate with third party applications using Microsoft VB.Net.
  • Convert PSD mockups into pure hand-written HTML, HTML5 and CSS, CSS3 pages.
  • Train community members and health care professionals in first-aid and CPR.
  • Create, design, and code the HTML coding for the user interface.
  • Provide individual and group tutoring in areas including but not limit to; reading, writing, mathematics and study skills.
  • Deploy a distribute Jenkins environment for continuous integration/builds.
  • Install and maintain RedHat Linux installations on their application servers.
  • Design global Facebook and google marketing campaigns targeting candidates for recruitment.
  • Design and implement AJAX server calls to dynamically retrieve customer information.
  • Develop Jquery plugin for accordions and customize them meeting the business requirements.
  • Develop new tool for database maintenance in DataFlex Linux base distributed environment.
  • Used AJAX functionality for asynchronous communication for payment confirmation for different users.
  • Participate in daily scrum calls and contribute effectively during discussion for effective solutions.
  • Develop JavaScript functions for validating client entries in a dynamic J2EE development environment.
  • Implement scrum base agile software development for analyzing, designing, and developing applications.

Program developer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 18% of Program Developers are proficient in Development Programs, Community Outreach, and Project Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Troubleshooting skills, Detail oriented, and Analytical skills.

We break down the percentage of Program Developers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Development Programs, 18%

    Developed and oversaw the implementation of disaster-resilience education through curriculum development programs within schools in Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.

  • Community Outreach, 9%

    Organized community outreach events bringing environmental science knowledge and resources to low income communities in Saint Paul

  • Project Management, 7%

    Exhibited project management expertise by introducing and embedding web conferencing into multinational organization.

  • Professional Development, 5%

    Facilitated monthly staff meetings to ensure home study writer's professional development.

  • C++, 4%

    Designed and implemented Neural Fuzzy applications program using C++.

  • Conflict Resolution, 4%

    Facilitated conflict resolution to address complex family dynamics.

Most program developers use their skills in "development programs," "community outreach," and "project management" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential program developer responsibilities here:

Troubleshooting skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a program developer to have is troubleshooting skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "an important part of a programmer’s job is to check the code for errors and fix any they find." Program developers often use troubleshooting skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "manage hardware and software troubleshooting while performing data collection, analysis and feedback. "

Detail oriented. Many program developer duties rely on detail oriented. "computer programmers must closely examine the code they write because a small mistake can affect the entire computer program.," so a program developer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways program developer responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "designed frontend with in object oriented javascript framework like angularjs. "

Analytical skills. program developers are also known for analytical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to program developer responsibilities, because "computer programmers must understand complex instructions in order to create computer code." A program developer resume example shows how analytical skills is used in the workplace: "research natural language processing technology programmed the api for database wrappers using php and java"

See the full list of program developer skills

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Compare different program developers

Program developer vs. Information technology programmer

Information technology programmers are known as software engineers, systems, and computer programmers who are responsible for designing and creating programs, system integration, maintaining operating systems, and supporting data architecture. They do complex tasks, including managing system performance, modifying source code, analyzing algorithms, and provide technical support. The knowledge and experience are required to carry out regular assessment and level of exposure to possible risk. In addition, they also review and update existing programs and develop in-house software, and mitigating potential risk.

The annual salary of information technology programmers is $14,314 higher than the average salary of program developers.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between program developers and information technology programmers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like c++, java, and windows.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between program developers and information technology programmer. For instance, program developer responsibilities require skills such as "development programs," "community outreach," "project management," and "professional development." Whereas a information technology programmer is skilled in "provide technical assistance," "application development," "mvc," and "jquery." This is part of what separates the two careers.

The education levels that information technology programmers earn slightly differ from program developers. In particular, information technology programmers are 11.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a program developer. Additionally, they're 2.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Program developer vs. Assistant program coordinator

An assistant program coordinator performs administrative support tasks and assists in organizing programs and activities under a program coordinator's supervision. Their responsibilities typically include monitoring the expenditures and schedules, preparing and processing documents, handling calls and correspondence, creating requests and proposals, communicating with vendors and suppliers, and updating records. They must also assist staff in various tasks and resolve issues promptly and efficiently. When it comes to employment opportunities, an assistant program coordinator may work at learning institutions, government agencies, and private companies.

A career as a assistant program coordinator brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a program developer. In fact, assistant program coordinators salary is $33,305 lower than the salary of program developers per year.A few skills overlap for program developers and assistant program coordinators. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "community outreach," "professional development," and "conflict resolution. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real program developer resumes. While program developer responsibilities can utilize skills like "development programs," "project management," "c++," and "c #," assistant program coordinators use skills like "cpr," "developmental disabilities," "crisis intervention," and "community agencies."

In general, assistant program coordinators achieve lower levels of education than program developers. They're 5.8% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 2.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for program developers in the next 3-5 years?

Dr. Steven Coutinho

Professor, Muhlenberg College

Since Philosophy majors get jobs in any and every sector, the technologies they will need will depend on their specific employment area.

However, anyone considering a career as a Philosophy professor will have to develop online and distance teaching expertise. This has changed the teaching experience dramatically, as the technologies and skills are vastly different from those required for in-person instruction.

Program developer vs. Applications programmer

An application programmer is responsible for creating and designing computer systems and applications according to client specifications and business requirements. Application programmers run quality checks on the draft outputs to ensure its stability and efficiency for high-level performance. They also evaluate existing applications and recommend technical solutions to improve scalability. An application programmer must have excellent technical skills with a strong command of programming languages and system codes to determine the feasibility of applications and adjust features as needed.

An average applications programmer eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of program developers. The difference in salaries amounts to applications programmers earning a $10,384 higher average salary than program developers.By looking over several program developers and applications programmers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "c++," "c #," and "java." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a program developer is likely to be skilled in "development programs," "community outreach," "project management," and "professional development," while a typical applications programmer is skilled in "database," "mvc," "jquery," and "linux."

Applications programmers typically earn lower educational levels compared to program developers. Specifically, they're 6.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Program developer vs. Computer programmer

A Computer Programmer is a specialist in writing computer programs as well as mobile applications. In addition to writing and testing code written, they are responsible for installing updates for software, debugging or improving functionality, troubleshooting parts of the program that is not functioning, and rewriting code for computer programs to be compatible in different operating systems. They also work to prevent data leaks and breaches in security by identifying malicious software and building firewalls.

Computer programmers tend to earn a lower pay than program developers by an average of $3,770 per year.While their salaries may vary, program developers and computer programmers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "c++," "c #," and "java. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between program developers and computer programmers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a program developer might have more use for skills like "development programs," "community outreach," "project management," and "professional development." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of computer programmers require skills like "python," "c," "software development," and "database applications. "

The average resume of computer programmers showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to program developers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 10.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 2.4%.

Types of program developer

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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