Honestly, becoming a software developer seems to be awfully complex, but it isn’t. You must think that software developers have flexible working hours with a lot of perks, as well as a handsome salary. However, this depends on several factors, such as your qualification, experience, location, and type of company you work for.
Software development is one of the most lucrative and in-demand professions in the world right now. It involves designing and developing software with the help of software engineering principles and best practices. They are also responsible for writing the code, testing it through various tools, and also performing debugging and update processes.
Moreover, software developers are expected to think on their feet and solve problems in real-time. If you are intrigued and want to learn more about what this profession entails, let’s discuss it in this article.
So What Exactly Does a Software Developer Do On a Daily Basis?
In a nutshell, software developers work on the development of web, desktop, and mobile applications, as well as software for various devices and platforms. Depending on which company they work for, they might be required to work on a specific platform or operating system, or they may use different tools and resources in their job.
If a software developer works at a game development company, they will be tasked with designing the entire environment of the game, as well as its characters, game engine, and much more. Moreover, they usually work in a team with other developers, testers, designers, etc.
While performing their daily tasks, software developers always follow and keep in mind the principles and methods for developing software and applications. They might also have a direct interaction with the clients, and they can gather project requirements, ask questions, conduct research, do proper homework, and come up with a couple of ideas they can run by the client.
As you can see, a software developer has an important and dynamic role in any organization that they work for. However, the roles and responsibilities of a software developer varies from company to company, and it also depends on their level of expertise, experience, and the kind of work the company does.
What is an Average Work Day Like for a Software Developer?
Software developers usually have different work timings than the regular 9-to-6. Some start their day at 10 or 11 in the morning, while others might reach office at noon and begin their day. It is also popularly believed that while they have a start time, they don’t have a fixed time for ending their shift, due to the nature of their work.
At the start of the day, a software developer will reach their workplace, or open up their laptop if they are working from home. Next, they will time in within their portal, and check their tasks, notifications, and emails for the day. Most of them have to attend a team meeting or huddle in the morning, where their supervisor or boss tells them what they have to do, or how to go about it.
Once they have gathered all the requirements and project details for the day, they will head over to their desks and start working. As mentioned above, most of their daily tasks revolve around coding and programming, and they work within a team to complete the current project they are working on.
Apart from the start-of-the-day meetings, software developers typically attend a lot of meetings, Zoom sessions, conference calls, and much more throughout the day. During their workday, they might come across several new problems and bugs that will require them to scour the internet for a viable solution. This is why you might see software developers taking numerous breaks throughout the day, and they need to unwind in order to prevent getting stressed.
If the developer is towards the end of the project, or they have recently finished developing a module or component for the existing project, they might be busy in testing the said module for any bugs or errors. Testing is a time-consuming and thorough process that ensures the final product doesn’t crash or fail when delivered to the client or rolled out into the market. Software developers may also be involved in the security testing process.
When it comes to launching a product or software, the developer will be expected to assist the quality assurance and testing teams, and they may also be tasked with training the client’s workforce on how to use the particular solution they have created. If there are any issues during the release phase, the developer may work overtime, or even on weekends, to fix it quickly and ensure that the client gets a flawless final product.
Main Duties of a Software Developer
When it comes to working as a software developer, you might have to put on many hats during your career, and you will be provided different responsibilities even during a single workday. By now, you must have understood that a software developer has numerous roles and responsibilities. Let’s discuss some of the main roles that they have to fulfill.
Gathering Client Requirements
This is one of the most important roles for a software developer, and it helps them understand what they have to do in order to achieve the goals set by the client. Once they have an idea of what the client needs, they can get to work on designing and devising various solutions, and running them by the team to see which idea is more viable.
Breaking Down Project into Components
Whether you have a small or large project, it is never attempted in one piece. The software developers, along with their teams, will always break it down into small components or modules, which are usually categorized according to the functions and features of the software to be developed. Breaking down the project into small chunks helps them plan a realistic timeline and also divide responsibilities, so that the project can be completed much quicker.
Preparing Supporting Documentation
Another major responsibility of the software developer is to prepare supporting documentation for the application or software they are working. This documentation is important to help the client understand how everything works, and it is also useful for any other software developers who might work on the project later.
Developing Visual Models
If a software developer isn’t involved in coding directly, they might be responsible for developing diagrams, flowcharts, and other visual models to help the programmers understand what they need the software to do or achieve.
Testing and Maintenance
A software developer’s work on a specific project doesn’t end once they have completed the coding or testing processes. Rather, clients also require them to monitor and maintain the software from time to time, and also conduct proactive maintenance to prevent or minimize downtime.
Final thoughts
This brings us to the end of our article on the daily tasks and responsibilities of a software developer. It brings you a comprehensive and detailed insight into everything a software developer does, or is expected to do. Needless to say, the position comes with a lot of responsibility and thus, a lot of challenges. Nevertheless, it is an exciting career choice that has immense potential for growth and success.