At BET Software we believe that in the 21st century, a tertiary qualification in an ICT-related field has become more valuable (and lucrative) than ever before. ICT is at the core of what we do here with our main objective being to seek out and employ more and more software developers. Looking to pursue a career in this field? Read on!
What is a software developer?
A software developer builds and evolves software, by writing “source code”, a program expressed in a language understood by machines. A software developer designs and develops computer applications intended for specific customers or the general public.
What does a software developer do?
The role of software developers is to developers write, test, debug and maintain applications, also analyze the needs of the client, to write the software program in a specific language. This role aligns more with designing solutions for organizations. That includes the creation of software for medical, industrial, scientific companies, and computer applications in general.
What are the skills and qualities required to be a Software Developer?
Developers need strong technical aptitude. Some programmer positions will require a degree in a relevant field such as computer science, information technology, mathematics, or engineering. A software developer masters different computer languages according to the needs of the company or the client. The most used are:
- C++
- Python
- Java
- JavaScript
- SQL
- PHP
- Software Engineering
- Linux
- git
- Oracle
- DevOps knowledge
How to become a software developer in South Africa
To become a software developer, it is possible to have attended different degrees, not just Software Engineering. You can gain experience through training programs, work placements, internships, or by working in the industry for a year, in fact, the most common training among professionals in the area is:
- Computer science
- computer engineering
- Information systems
How much does a software developer earn in South Africa?
In this way, there is no lack of opportunity for those who want to enter and specialize in the area. Software development is one of the few sectors in South Africa that sees an increase in the number of vacancies, as well as attractive salaries at all experience levels.
It is estimated that the average salary of a software engineer in the country is around R 936 800 per year or R 480 per hour, according to data from Talent.com, but the remuneration can vary greatly depending on the location and the company. It is worth researching the market in your area.
How to find software development jobs in South Africa
There are many chances for a developer to get a job anywhere in South Africa, companies are increasingly looking for these professionals, but there are not enough people to meet the demand.
Therefore, there are many vacancies available in the job market, which increases your chances of getting “employed” from an interview.
As much as there are many jobs in the software development area in the country, it is essential to know some tips to make a good presentation in the corporation. Check out our list of tips so you can get the job of your dreams right away:
- Create an attractive curriculum and inform all the courses you have already taken and were focused on in the software development area
- Try to have good references, that is, professionals to “mirror yourself”. So, you can take good advice from a person who has already achieved success;
- Make a profile on LinkedIn. There it is possible to create excellent networking and find good job opportunities;
- Keep your resume up-to-date and include the most relevant information about your experiences and what you’ve accomplished throughout your career;
- Apply for several job openings. There are always good opportunities coming up, and ideally, don’t let any of them “escape”. After all, any one of them could be your dream job;
- Seek to acquire new skills and take new courses to keep up to date in your work area!
- Prepare in advance for the interviews. For example, people often introduce themselves to the recruiter throughout the conversation. So, prepare a good speech in advance to “sell” your image effectively
What are the types of software?
- System Software: There are basically three types of software. System software lays the foundation for all other types of software on a computer. It is already supplied by the manufacturer and runs in the background, which is why there is usually no interaction with the user. Examples of system software are operating systems such as macOS, Windows, or Linux.
- Programming Software: this includes computer programs that developers use to program, maintain, debug, or otherwise support programs and applications. These can be so-called IDEs, for example, integrated development environments such as Microsoft Visual Studio or XCode, which often come with the operating system as a tool package.
- Application Software: The application software is what most users meet. This includes software programs that help the end-user to perform certain tasks, activities, and functions. Some of these are supplied by the manufacturer in so-called bundles or can be downloaded and installed separately. The most common application software includes, for example, programs for creating documents such as Word, for photo editing such as Photoshop, or for playing music and videos such as Media Player.
What are the stages of the software development cycle?
Requirements analysis: The software development life cycle begins with the analysis stage, during which process participants discuss the requirements for the final product. The purpose of this stage is to determine the detailed requirements for the system.
- Designing: At the design stage (also called the design and architecture stage), programmers and system architects develop a high-level system design based on requirements. Various technical issues that arise in the design process are discussed with all stakeholders, including the customer.
- Development and programming: This is where the programmers start writing the program code according to the previously defined requirements. System administrators configure the software environment, front-end programmers develop the user interface of the program and the logic of its interaction with the server.
- Documentation: This stage is allocated rather conditionally, because, as we have seen, certain documents are created at all stages of the life cycle of the program. There are four levels of documentation, (Architectural, Technical, Custom, and Marketing).
- Testing: The testers search for defects in the software and compare the behavior of the system described in the requirements with the real one. In the testing phase, bugs are missed during development.
- Implementation and support: When the program is tested and there are no serious defects left, it’s time to release and transfer it to end-users. After the release of the new version of the program, the technical support department will be launched.
