Introduction
Popular Software Development – While you’ve probably come across a simple “Hello World” program in one form or another, the software development range is much more versatile. There are different types of software development, and each requires other skills and mindset.
Today you will learn about different types of popular software development—many, if not all, of these development environments overlap.
However, knowing the details of each type of software development is still essential. It will help you recognize where they converge and how they differ.
1. Back-End – Popular Software Development
Back-end development refers to the type of development that happens behind the scenes. Or, in other words, you can’t see it.
It is because back-end development includes server-side behaviour, which maps to servers, databases, application programming interfaces (APIs), and other internal structures that drive the software application itself. All this happens behind the screen. The front end is a kind of abstraction that simplifies the part of software development that users necessarily access. Therefore, end users do not need to see what is happening in the back end to take advantage of its features.
The servers handle the requests: databases store user data and other relevant information. APIs integrate associated software. Typically, back-end development is the driving force behind software development as a whole, although each type of development has its importance. There are several languages and tools for back-end development, inside and outside the context of web development. The most popular back-end programming languages today are Ruby, Python, and Java.
2. Application Development
Application growth is another general type of software growth. Along with front-end, back-end, and full-stack development, you’ll soon realize that application development is at the heart of any software project.
Application development personifies the creation of any computer program or set of programs to perform a task towards business objectives.
By definition, the development of an application always follows the same steps:
- Collect requirements.
- Design prototypes or a minimum viable product (MVP).
- Program and test the application.
- Launch the app.
These basic guidelines were excellent in all forms of application development, including:
- Rapid application development
- low code application development
- Mobile application development
- Web applications development
- or any general type of software development
3. Api Development
API development allows developers to extend software beyond traditional boundaries.
An API or application programming interface serves as the link between the software.
Do you know how a user interface provides a platform for human users to interact with software? Well, APIs provide a platform for software to interact with other software.
API integrations are an essential piece of the software development puzzle. That’s why you can share the latest clickbait on Facebook or why Google Maps appears as soon as you search for an address.
You can expect APIs to be an intrinsic asset in all types of software development now.
4. Data Science
Data science is a field of study at the intersection of programming and data analysis. Any significant amount of data should and can be analyzed to determine trends and patterns of behaviour.
Data scientists generally don’t write commercially available software. Instead, they write small-to-large-scale programs for the specific purpose of analyzing data. Although data may not seem the most attractive topic, data science has many valuable applications. For example, you can use data science to detect fraud in banking companies, perform analysis of medical images or even in advertising.
5. Mobile Development
Mobile development, or mobile application development, is probably the type of software development you encounter most often.
And that’s thanks to Candy Crush Saga, Angry Birds, Subway Surfers or any popular smartphone app that’s taking the market by storm these days. Indeed you have also used social networks on your smartphone, probably via a mobile application.
If you haven’t figured it out yet, mobile application development specifies creating applications that run on mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablets. In fact, mobile development handles a different set of tools than most types of software development.
For example, for native app development, an Android app requires Java or Kotlin programming. At the same time, an iOS application requires Objective C or Swift programming.
Others opt for hybrid or cross-platform development, which has a set of tools for cross-platform compatibility.
Naturally, this convenience does not come without a catch. Most software experts claim native development is more efficient than cross-platform or hybrid development.
Conclusion
Types of Popular Software Development can bridge the gap between growing your business and fully understanding software development. Before starting a business, it is essential to research and gather information on business procedures before proceeding. Reading this article is the first step. Now that you have a better idea of software development and some of the paths you can take within the industry, the second step is hiring developers.