# software developer

> person or company concerned with facets of the software development process

**Wikidata**: [Q183888](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q183888)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_developer)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/software-developer

## Summary
A software developer is a person or company concerned with various facets of the software development process. It is a professional occupation and a subclass of software engineering, primarily focused on the creation and maintenance of software applications and systems.

## Key Facts
- **Classifications**: Recognized as an occupation, profession, and position; specifically a subclass of software engineer and "software and applications developers and analysts."
- **International Standards**: Classified under ISCO-08 occupation class 2512 and ISCO-88 class 2131.
- **Tools of Trade**: Typically uses integrated development environments (IDEs), computers, and computer keyboards.
- **Industry Identifiers**: Associated with SOC codes 15-1132, 15-1133, and 15-1130.
- **Professional Qualifications**: Key certifications include AWS Certified Developer, Azure Developer Associate, and the Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional.
- **Fields of Activity**: Operates within the software development industry and the broader App economy.
- **Distinctions**: Explicitly categorized as different from database developers and application developers.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary role of a software developer?
A: A software developer is an individual or entity involved in all facets of the software development process. This includes the design, creation, and implementation of software using tools like integrated development environments.

### Q: Is a software developer the same as a software engineer?
A: While the terms are often used interchangeably, a software developer is formally classified as a subclass of a software engineer. It is also considered a specific occupation group within the broader category of software and applications developers and analysts.

### Q: What professional certifications are relevant to software developers?
A: Common certifications include Microsoft and LinkedIn’s Career Essentials in Software Development, various AWS certifications (Developer, DevOps Engineer, Solutions Architect), and specialized Azure credentials like the Azure IoT Developer or Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty.

### Q: Can a company be considered a software developer?
A: Yes, the term applies to both individual practitioners and companies. Examples of companies acting as software developers include Altova, Stardock, and Tidio.

## Why It Matters
Software developers are the foundational practitioners of the modern digital economy, responsible for the tools, platforms, and applications that define the "App economy." By bridging the gap between technical engineering and practical application, they facilitate the development of everything from business productivity tools to realistic AI speech synthesis. 

The profession is highly standardized globally, with specific classifications in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) and the European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations (ESCO) framework. This standardization, combined with a rigorous ecosystem of certifications from major technology providers like AWS, Microsoft, and Azure, ensures a high level of technical proficiency and security in the software development lifecycle. Their work is essential across diverse sectors, including telecommunications, building management, and medical publishing.

## Notable For
- **Broad Definition**: Uniquely encompasses both individual human practitioners and corporate entities concerned with software creation.
- **Global Standardization**: Defined by multiple international occupational codes, including ROME (14153) and ISCO-08 (2512).
- **Specialized Certification Path**: Supported by a vast array of technical credentials focusing on cloud architecture, security, and specific database technologies.
- **Diverse Industry Presence**: Practitioners and companies operate in specialized niches ranging from social media platforms (Bluesky Social PBC) to Urdu language processing (Center for Research in Urdu Language Processing).

## Body

### Professional Classification
The software developer is categorized as a profession and an occupation group according to ISCO-08 (class 2512). It is a subclass of software engineer and is formally distinguished from related roles such as database developers and application developers. In the United States, the role is tracked via SOC codes 15-1132, 15-1133, and 15-1130.

### Tools and Environment
Practitioners in this field utilize specific hardware and software tools to perform their duties:
*   **Hardware**: Computers and computer keyboards.
*   **Software**: Integrated development environments (IDEs).
*   **Fields**: The occupation is central to software development and the App economy.

### Corporate Entities as Developers
The term "software developer" frequently refers to organizations that produce specialized software. Notable examples include:
*   **Business & Productivity**: TeamSense Inc (USA), bexio AG (Switzerland), and Davilex (Netherlands).
*   **AI & Innovation**: Resemble AI (Canada), which focuses on deep learning for speech synthesis, and Tidio (Poland/USA), which develops AI customer service tools.
*   **Infrastructure & Tools**: Altova, which creates developer software for mobile and desktop applications, and Stardock, a Windows software developer.
*   **Specialized Research**: The Center for Language Engineering in Pakistan and the Pyongyang Information Technology Bureau in North Korea.

### Qualifications and Certifications
The profession is supported by numerous technical certifications that validate expertise in specific ecosystems:
*   **Amazon Web Services (AWS)**: Certified Developer, DevOps Engineer, and Solutions Architect (Associate and Professional levels).
*   **Microsoft Azure**: Developer Associate, IoT Developer, Solutions Architect Expert, and Cosmos DB Developer Specialty.
*   **Security**: Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional.
*   **Foundational**: Career Essentials in Software Development by Microsoft and LinkedIn.

### International Identifiers
The entity is recognized across various global databases:
*   **GND ID**: 7701096-6 (male) and 7701097-8 (female).
*   **ESCO ID**: f2b15a0e-e65a-438a-affb-29b9d50b77d1.
*   **Other IDs**: YSO ID 29407, ROME code 14153, and Art & Architecture Thesaurus ID 300386684.

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  "name": "Software developer",
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## References

1. International Standard Classification of Occupations
2. FactGrid