If you are reading this article, you are probably on the hunt for a software development service provider. Maybe you want to build an app, a website or an eCommerce presence. Whatever the reason, you need to be very careful about the ‘why’ of your development initiative so that your development partner can take care of the ‘How’ aspect.
Custom software development pertains to creating software products that are bespoke to the client’s requirements, businesses, and scope of operations. It is designed to cater to the business’s unique goals and, once created, belong in its entirety to the commissioning client. It is created from scratch and usually does not have analogous counterparts.
Must Read: What Exactly Is Custom Software Development?
With custom software development, clients acquire tech assets built in complete alignment with their business objectives, brand persona (in case of UI/UX elements), and functionality, offering the user a unique touchpoint to your enterprise. But software custom or not can be of various types. Read on as we present a detailed list of all forms of software development prevalent today yet relevant in the foreseeable future.
1. Frontend Development
Front-end development pertains to the user side. This includes navigation, utility placement, feature click-throughs, and other design elements. Front-end development focuses on the UI/UX aspect of software development. This includes the software’s layout, the level of interaction each element allows for, visual aspects like logos, ‘contact us’ buttons, content placement, and the visual language used. Front-end developers double up as designers building the ‘face’ of the software while fixing any bugs and glitches that may occur. Browser compatibility is also a pertinent aspect of front-end development.
The ideal Front end developer is proficient in programming and must also possess a strong sense of aesthetics and design. They must have a collective mindset and should be open to making iterations, given that the front-end and back-end teams work in close synergy to achieve required functionalities.
2. Back-end development
Back-end deals with the server-side of the software being developed. The onus of tasks like database programming, server Scripting, API programming and integration, and application re-engineering lie with the back-end development team. Back-end developers create the code infrastructure of the app with a focus on functionality, system integration, and building core logic.
Back-end developers are like structural engineers. They build the superstructure that the software being developed rests on. If the front-end is envisioned as armor, the back-end is the Knight within. Building scalability, security, and performance are core tasks encapsulated within back-end development.
3. Full-Stack Development
Full-stack development combines both front-end and back-end development. This programming means development teams deploying tools to work simultaneously on the back-end and the software’s front-end. It’s developers must have extensive experience in both the client and user sides of app development. Along with the necessary development/coding skills, a full-stack developer must also possess soft skills that facilitate clear communication, easy and hassle-free collaboration, problem-solving, critical thinking as well as a holistic business perspective to ensure that the software being built is not only functionally but visually efficient but also bridges market need-gaps and user requirements.
4. Desktop Development
It’s all in the name. Desktop development pertains to software development efforts directed towards building software with desktop PCs (including laptops) as their target platform. The most popular Operating Systems that desktop development targets are iOS, Windows, and Linux.
Desktop development has now merged with web and mobile application development as PCs continue to grow in mobility. The smartphone in your pocket is probably more powerful than the massive PC on your office table only five years ago. Desktop development still has its niche with many software that run solely on PCs or Macs.
5. Web Development
The most prevalent development initiatives today are web application development projects. Web applications are condensed websites that run on mobile while emulating a native app. Given that a web app can run across platforms, browsers, and devices, web application development has seen a massive upsurge in demand over the past few days.
Unlike a mobile app, web apps require an internet connection to function, but unlike a mobile or a hybrid app, they can run on every device imaginable. Web development encompasses both front-end and back-end development with the server-side handling performance, unlike a mobile or desktop app where the user’s device dictates app/software performance.
6. Database Development
Database development falls under the wider category of back-end development and yet is a discipline in its own right. It’s pertains to building databases that power the application’s logic and react to customer inputs as the core logic draws from the database to display a reply through the front-end. It’s developers are tasked with modifying/building programs that ensure fast data grabbing and clear conversion of business logic into satisfactory user-discernible replies. The roles of a database administrator who works on the database’s upkeep and troubleshooting and a database developer who works on building the software’s data repository sometimes overlap depending on the type of project and the client’s needs.
7. Mobile Development
Mobile app development has percolated across industries and verticals by vying with web app development for the top spot. Everyone from a car manufacturer to a restaurant now wishes to deploy apps to reach the ever-increasing number of smartphone users. And that’s nearly all 7 billion of us. Mobile development professionals usually specialize in Android or iOS development, but some development teams excel in developing awesome apps for all platforms.
A mobile app developer brings deep knowledge of the intricacies of each platform to the table and is well versed in all the tools, frameworks, and development techniques that the two major mobile Oss demand.
Even though development teams ( as mentioned earlier) can develop applications for both Oss, hiring a specialist makes the most sense as his skillset will be focused on one set of languages, frameworks, and toolkits required for his OS of choice.
8. Cloud Computing
2020 Has seen the advent of a massive data-driven, app-reliant tech ecosystem that has played a crucial role in helping us manage the changes, disruptions, and tragedies the past year was wrought with. Cloud computing is the support structure for this ecosystem by handling everything from home delivery services, Contact tracing to remote tracing. In addition, cloud app development services have revolutionized the way we work by telecommuting.
Today Cloud services allow users of all budgets and skill levels to access advanced ML functions like image recognition and recommendation engines. Cloud tech will deploy these innovative toolsets to an even larger number of enterprises regardless of their size or industry vertical, leading to enhanced efficiency and productivity. Fields of research, like self-driving cars, smart city infrastructure, as well as disaster and pandemic response planning, will experience the effects of smarter algorithms deployed through the Cloud. In cloud data centers, AI algorithms can optimally manage speed and efficiency, cooling systems, hardware networks, and power usage while minimizing their impact on the environment.
Summing up
Custom software is built to address specific business needs. It is smarter to ensure beforehand that the product developed matches the quality standards of your enterprise in terms of UX, ease of utilization, functionality, etc. The custom choice for software solutions will conform to the most up-to-date technologies.
So there you have it, a comprehensive list of all types of software development. Opting for a software development company to help you with your development initiative is the best way to remain relevant and competitive in today’s ever-changing market. We trust that this article has proven informative. Until next time, happy developing.
