From a developer perspective, Software Development and Web Development seem almost similar but there is a huge difference when it comes to the user of the application and the needs of the business. Technology has been changing businesses, markets, customers, and whatever comes its the way. Especially in Dubai, UAE the technology is more integrated into our professional and personal daily life. Generally, for a non-technical person, the technology is quite confusing and difficult to understand however with the development of new technologies and so many latest innovation a person who is operating in one sector of the technology might be completely naive about the other sector(s) of the industry. The same is the case with software development and web development, often people who work within the industry or closely with the industry are aware of the differences between the two, for the rest of us, both look the same! The main thing why for a casual person the software development and web development look the same is because in both there is a lot of programming and coding is involved, so people often think both would be the same. However, software development requires a completely different skill set, knowledge and requires completely different programming languages than that of a website. In this blog, we will discuss software development and web development in detail.
What is Software Development?
Software development is developing a computer program that is intended to run on a certain platform/machine and is expected to return certain results or perform certain tasks. There are tons of software we daily use either directly or indirectly. For example the Outlook we use to check email or Photoshop for editing family photos, or even a media player on our laptop is computer software. Smartphone applications such as Instagram, Snapchat, and Whatsapp are software. However, web apps such as Facebook, Google, etc are websites.
Who are Software Developers?
The software developer are IT professional who possess certain technical skills which enable them to write source code to build software. The software developers produce tools for desktop computers and laptops, they build smartphone applications and games for different platforms and consoles.
What Skills are required to develop Software?
There are certain skills that are required from a software developer. The educational background should be in IT and then the software developers can choose various subjects to direct their career to a particular field such as software development or web development. Here are a few important skills that a software developer should have:
- Data Structure
- Programming Languages
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Relevant Technical Skills (Tools and Techniques)
- Security
These are just some general skills a software developer must-have.
How Software are Developed?
There is a basic software development method. This starts with identifying the need for the software, this is the very basic thing, why do we need software? Once the objective and expectations of the software are defined, then the next step is to select the appropriate technology for the software and define the platforms where the software can be used. Here is a short summary of the software development process:
- Identify the Problem and Need
- Define the Objectives and Expectations
- Choose Technology
- Software Development
- Testing (on all compatible platforms)
- Launch/Deployment
This is the basic process of software development. There could be more intermediary processes, but overall the process is the same. The software is developed for different platforms, different environments, and different applications. For example, some software is developed for only PCs and Laptops, some are developed for servers, some are developed for electronics devices, some for special purpose computers and servers and so many more. There are tons of software applications, ranging from our refrigerator to electric cars and everything in between. The software is covering almost and every aspect of our lives.
What is Web Development?
Web development is basically just developing websites. It may also involve small web apps or interactive tools, but majorly the focus in web development is to achieve certain objectives by providing interaction to the user. These days the websites are considered a necessity for any business or organization. ECommerce is also gaining popularity, the consumers are turning towards the internet. Large enterprises and businesses are providing digitalizing their services and mostly providing their services through websites. For example, there are a lot many government ministries that are offering services online through websites and mobile apps, the healthcare, the real estate, and hospitality industry are also taking advantage of the website revolution.
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Who are Web Developers?
Web developers are a group of professionals having a variety of skills and experience in different fields that combined to form a website experience. The web developer develops websites for businesses and organizations with different needs and requirements, for example, online appointment booking, customer portal, online registration, etc.
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What Skills are required to develop a Website?
Web developers are generally a team or a bunch of people who everyone possesses different skills, and everyone is responsible for a different aspect of the website. The graphics and user interface designs require different technical background and skills, the programing and source code requires an entirely different set of skills and expertise. Usually, a professional web developer is well-versed with both types of skills and can handle the entire website single-handedly. But for medium size or larger websites, only specialized personals should do the respective work. Here are a few skills that are a must for a web developer:
- Marketing and Analytical Skills
- UX/UI Designing
- Graphics Designing
- Programming Languages
- Relevant Technical Skills (Tools and Techniques)
- Security
These are just a few important skills that a web developer should have to be able to develop websites.
How Websites are developed?
Web development is a simple and very straightforward process. It starts like any other IT project with a brief requirement gathering. Once the project scope is defined and the website’s basic information is collected, then a wireframe is being provided to the customer. The wireframe is basically the blueprint of the website, and then the full-on development begins. The web development process consists of different steps here is a list of the steps generally followed in the web development industry in Dubai, UAE:
- Requirement Gathering
- Define Website Scope
- Compatible Devices (Laptops, Smartphones, Web Browsers, etc)
- Compatible Languages (English, Arabic, etc)
- Static or Dynamic
- Web Designing Phase
- Wireframe
- Mockups
- Design (Ux/Ui)
- Web Development Phase
- Testing
- Launch
These are the steps of a basic web development project execution. There are many other intermediary steps and phases which depend on the scope and magnitude of the website. The websites are developed for different objectives and purposes. Mainly the objective is the marketing and online presence. The websites are also made for other purposes such as for customers, or for students, or for information, etc. There are hundreds of different types and categories of websites are there. No matter what kind of website it is the basic process is the same as I have mentioned above.
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The Difference between Software Development & Web Development!
The major difference between software development and web development is that both are entirely different technologies, with different objectives and completely different audiences or users. The websites are for the masses and are a good communication tool. Businesses and organizations can utilize websites to communicate with their audiences, however, the software is not for communication but they are to perform certain tasks. The websites are mostly a public domain while the software could be private, exclusive, and personalized and are used to improve the efficiency and productivity of business processes and routine tasks. For example, a queue management system is used to streamline the customer flow, and HRMS (human resource management system) is used to improve HR department, production management tools, accounting software, and many more have different applications and are used for different objectives.
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Why People Often Think Software and Web Development are same?
Well, most of the time a casual person thinks that software development and web development both are the same things. But that is not true, although there are some similarities, for example, both require programming and coding, both require interactive graphics and user interfaces, etc. But in terms of technology both are totally different. One can say there are certain occasions or scenarios when software development and web development intersect each other. For example, there are tons of corporate and business software that provide a web-based user interface, which means the user can interact and operate this software through a web interface via a web browser like they are browsing a normal website. Similarly, there is a certain website that provides online software and such apps that allow a user to perform a software function via a web browser through a web interface. The web interface is basically a website, but in the backend different software are operating and different processes are going on. That is why for a causal person the differentiation between software development and web development is not easy.
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Software Development, Web Development, Cloud, and IoT!
Cloud is what even further lightens the line dividing the software development and web development. As the cloud is capable of providing a lot many tools, software, and application through a web-based interface which further confuses ordinary people to think the websites and software development are the same. But the huge difference is that software development is not only limited to general applications and business tools, in fact, but those are also just a small part of the entire software development industry. For example, the software is everywhere, wherever a microchip is used, or a digital function is used there is software running behind. With the advancements and progress in the field of IoT (Internet of Things), we will further notice smart gadgets and home appliances that all would be running on some kind of software, even the wristwatch you might be wearing right now contains a tiny computer and a tiny software in it. That is how big the software development industry is and that is how it dominates the web development industry.
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Conclusion
Software development and web development are completely different from each other. The software developers and the web developers are required to have different skills and different expertise. The software development and the web development processes are majorly different than each other. The application and objectives are different. For example, the websites are mainly for marketing purposes and to offer digital services and online services. However, the software is for entirely different audiences and for different applications. The software development industry is very huge compared to the web development industry. The software is being used everywhere, from our wristwatch to electric cars and satellites everything is running on software. Businesses and enterprises are heavily relying on customized software solutions these days.
Although both are entirely different but still most of the time a casual person might think that software development and web development are the same. It is due to the fact that mostly the corporate tools and the commercial solutions that we use on daily basis are interacting using a web-based user interface that is being accessed from a web browser which is why for most ordinary person a software might also look similar to a website. RSI Concepts is a professional custom software development agency in Dubai and we are also offering premium web design Dubai services for more than a decade now. If you need a quote or want to discuss or consult with us, please feel free to reach us out through our Contact Us page or leave a comment in the comment box below.
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