Are you or your company looking to develop custom software, but you’re not sure whether you want to go the web development or software development route? While the two are similar, there are some key differences that you should know when making your decision. Let us help by explaining what web and software development bring to the table, so you can decide which option is best for your wants and needs.
What Is Software Development?
Software development refers to the process of creating programs that tell a device what actions to perform. Software development is performed by software engineers and software developers, who do similar, if not the same, tasks. During software development, developers conceptualize, design, build, document, test, deploy, and maintain the software they are creating.
The world of software development is large, producing a wide range of programs, from operating systems to text editors to media players. Teams of software engineers work together from conception to deployment to deliver a product that makes the lives of their users easier. You see these products of software development every day: the Microsoft Word program on your laptop, an Amazon Alexa device in your home, the Netflix app on your television, and more.
What Is Web Development?
Web development is a subset of the software development world. In other words, web development is software development. However, while software development often refers to computer programs that are written to be downloaded and used locally on devices, web development is geared toward applications that are built to be used online.
Web applications are the result of web development, and they can be accessed anytime, anywhere with an internet connection and a browser. Applications such as Google Docs, Amazon, Outlook 365, and TurboTax are all examples of web apps that you may be using in your everyday life.
How Do They Compare?
Since web development is a branch of software development, the two areas have many similarities. However, to understand what sets web development apart from software development, you’ll need to understand how the developers and products differ.
Web Developer vs Software Developer
Although software developers and web developers may specialize in different areas of computer programming or have slightly different skillsets, their foundational computer science knowledge is the same. Software engineers in both fields must have an attention to detail, excellent problem-solving skills, the ability to work well on a team, and adequate programming experience.
Software developers and web developers may also use some of the same programming languages to write code. Since software development encompasses a larger variety of software, it uses a wider range of programming languages. However, some of those programming languages overlap with the ones used by web developers, such as JavaScript and C#.
Software Developers
Software developers aren’t restricted to programs that are created only for the web; they can build software for almost any device or platform. Experienced software developers work to create software from the ground up, based on a client’s wants and their users’ needs. They can do so by using many languages, tools, and methodologies that often aren’t part of a web developer’s repertoire.
Web Developers
Unlike software developers, many web developers tend to be separated into three groups: front end, back end, and full stack developers. That’s because web applications are split into two parts:
- What the users see and interact with
- The engine behind what the application does
Front end web developers focus only on web design. In other words, they focus on what the user sees, and they use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build a picture for the user. Fonts, colors, images, and buttons are all built by front end web developers, ensuring the web design of the application is pleasing to the eye and easy to use.
Back end web developers, on the other hand, make everything on the front end possible. Back end development is in charge of the server and database, and they make sure that an application is able to react to interactions and perform the actions commanded by a user.
If a developer can handle both the front end and back end of a web application, they are considered a full stack developer. That means they can build an application from beginning to end, without needing outside help or expertise.
A full stack developer typically has a better understanding of web applications, since they are able to understand how the front and back end work together harmoniously to create a successful program. Senior web developers are often full stack developers since they have the most robust understanding of the the process and the finished product.
Web Development Vs Software Development Products
Just as there are differences between software and web developers, there are also differences in the products they create. If you are looking to build your own custom software, you may need to decide if you’re looking for a software development team or web development team.
To make that decision, you’ll need to determine if your program should be installed or downloaded on your computer or device or if it should be web-based software that’s accessible from anywhere via the internet and a web browser. There are pros and cons to each option, and the best fit for your business will depend on your users’ needs.
If you need a powerful system that will only be accessed by employees locally on their office computers or laptops, then a software development team may be right for you. However, if your system is relatively simple and you want your team or customers to be able to use it wherever and whenever they want, then web-based applications may be your best option.
To determine which is best for you, talk to a company that does both. Here at Geneca, we can help with building your new idea, hosting your developed software, and enhancing your existing products. Our team of software engineers is experienced in both areas and can walk you through which system will work best for you, your needs, and your budget. Contact us today to get started.