What is the Difference Between Web Development and Software Development?

Posted by Jimmy Martin on June 4th, 2021

Often, the terms web development and software development are used interchangeably or inaccurately. This can be attributed to technological advancement, which has not only led to the creation of new terms but is also too fast-paced to allow people to keep up.

Many businesses and individuals, in their effort to catch up with technology, may get confused on who to contact. Whether you are interested in a career in the tech field or wondering who to contact when upgrading your business, this article sheds more light on the two terms.

What is Web Development?

Web development is the process of building websites and web applications, or user-facing software, from the ground up. The process requires the use of programming languages like JavaScript to make web apps efficient, easier to use, and aesthetically pleasing.

Web development focuses on two elements: the client side and the server side. The two sides are also referred to as the front end or back end respectively. The front end revolves around how the side that faces the user looks and functions. On the other hand, the back end takes care of the technical aspects of the application that aim to fulfill the commands of the users.

Typically, web developers specialize in one of the two programming aspects. However, with a full stack developer course online, developers can be proficient in both front-end and back-end programming. This is referred to as full stack web development.

Web Developer Responsibilities

Web developers are responsible for ensuring that users get the best browsing experience. To make this happen, they have several responsibilities:

•      Understanding and using various programming languages such as JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
•      Working closely with clients to come up with web design goals that are in line with brand goals
•      Coming up with and testing web applications and features
•      Putting content on websites
•      Keeping track of website traffic and performance
•      Ensuring that all technical requirements of the website are met

What is Software Development?

Software development is the creation, management, and optimization of complex applications and programs that run on computers and mobile devices. Examples of such applications include Photoshop, Facebook and Instagram.

Software development also involves the use of programming languages such as Java, Python, SQL, and C# to determine how an application runs. If you are looking to upskill, taking a C# online coursecould put you on the path to becoming an expert software developer.

Software Developer Responsibilities

Whether their focus is to keep apps running, design new ones, or fine-tune existing apps, software developers have a set of responsibilities:

•      Designing new applications to meet specific needs
•      Coming up with software-based solutions as the need arises
•      Testing the effectiveness of new applications
•      Ensuring software compatibility with existing web platforms and devices
•      Suggesting when existing programs and systems need software upgrades
•      Making sure that software aligns with current data management systems

The Final Take

Web development is different from software development. While the two may overlap in that you need to learn multiple coding languages, even the languages you need to learn are different.

Nevertheless, nothing should stop you from following either one or both of the two career paths. Taking a full stack developer course online or a C# online coursecan put you on the right path towards realizing your dreams.