What Is a Developer & How to Hire a Developer to Build Your Site

So, you’ve decided to start a business. 

You’ve done a little bit of research and you know that it will entail launching a website, and possibly creating a new software application. 

And now you’re starting to feel like you’re in over your head. 

Maybe it’s because you lack a single technical bone in your body, or perhaps it’s because you just don’t have the time to learn. 

Whatever the reason you’re stressing out, have no fear! You don’t have to build your website on your own. A developer can help you achieve your dreams, instead. 

Alas, hiring for a position you don’t know much about can be intimidating, too. That’s why you’re here. 

These tips will tell you what you need to know about hiring the right developer for your project, answering questions like:

• What is a developer?
• What kinds of developers are there?
• When it comes to code languages, what are the most popular?

Ready, set, hire!

What Is a Developer?

A developer is someone who writes computer code to create websites, applications, software, games, or computer systems. Developers are also known as software programmers, software developers, and software engineers. 

For projects that involve creating a user interface — like a website — developers typically collaborate with designers. In that scenario, the designer is the architect who dreams up a vision. The developer is the engineer who turns that vision into reality and ensures it functions properly. 

What Kinds of Developers Are There?

Fully answering the question “what is a developer?” gets more complicated from here. There are many different types of professional developers. 

Here are some of the most common developer titles.

Front-End Developer

Front-end developers write code that builds website interfaces, or other applications that the end user sees and interacts with. 

For example, a front-end developer might code an e-commerce website or a WordPress theme. 

Front-end developers use coding languages like CSS, HTML, JavaScript, and PHP.

Back-End Developer

Back-end developers work behind-the-scenes, building the aspects of a website or application that people don’t see. The programs they write involve server-side systems that put information into databases and then send that data to the front end, where users can see it.

For instance, a back-end developer would write the code that processes payments on an eCommerce site.

Back-end specialists use a variety of languages including Java, C, C++, C#, Ruby, Perl, Python, Scala, PHP, and Go.

Full Stack Developer

A full stack developer is the term for someone who engineers both the front and back end of a website.

When a developer can create both the interface and payment processing system for an eCommerce site, they can create a seamless user experience.

Full stack developers use the same code languages that back-end and front-end developers use, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Java, C, C++, C#, Ruby, Perl, Python, Scala, and Go.

Mobile Developer

A mobile developer works on creating mobile applications exclusively. 

This role is typically divided into two specialities: 

• iOS developers who program applications for the Apple App Store.
• Android developers who program applications for Google Play.

Mobile developers typically use Java, Swift, Objective-C, and Kotlin coding languages.

Desktop Developer

Desktop developers write applications for operating systems like Windows and macOS that can run offline. 

What kind of applications does a desktop developer work on? The Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Photoshop, and Zoom are a few well-known examples.

Desktop developers use coding languages like C#, C++, Scala, Go, and Python.

WordPress Developer

WordPress developers specialize in coding websites on WordPress. WordPress is a popular, open source content management system that powers over 37% of all websites.

A WordPress developer can create custom WordPress websites, themes, and plugins.

Developers who code for WordPress need to know PHP — WordPress’s coding language — as well as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

The 15 Most Popular Code Languages

Now you know what a developer is, what kinds of developers there are, and what they can do. The next thing you’re probably curious to know relates to code languages and what the most popular are. This information will help ensure you are hiring the most qualified developer for the needs of your project. 

Here are 15 of the most popular code languages, and how they are typically used by developers.

Web development code languages:

• HTML: This isn’t actually a programming language, but a markup language. It allows developers to add and organize written and visual content to websites and applications.
• CSS: This code language enables coders to control the style of visual elements on websites and applications.
• JavaScript: This language is used to increase the utility and interactivity of websites. For example, with JavaScript, developers can program what happens when someone clicks on a button on a website.
• PHP: This is a versatile coding language that’s best known as the language of WordPress websites. PHP can also be used for back-end development and desktop application development.
• Java: This code language is often used in the development of mobile applications, desktop applications, and the back-end of websites.

Object-oriented programming code languages:

• C: As one of the oldest coding languages, C is the basis for object-oriented programs like C#, C++, and Objective-C. What is a developer working on in C? Operating systems and databases for the most part. 
• C++: This code language is used by developers when performance is critical and the digital product needs to operate quickly. It’s typically used for operating systems, desktop applications, and games.
• C#: This code language is used to program Windows desktop software and video games.

Mobile development code languages:

• Objective-C: Originally, this code language was used to make Apple’s OSx and iOS operating systems.
• Swift: Currently, Apple uses this code language for its OSx and iOS operating systems. 
• Kotlin: This code language is increasingly being used by Android developers to code mobile applications.

Back-end development code languages:

• Go: This is an emerging programming language that is gaining popularity in the world of back-end web development.
• Python: This is a popular choice for back-end developers coding for websites, as well as desktop and web applications. 
• Ruby: This code language is used for back-end development. The Ruby on Rails framework is widely used to create web applications.
• Perl: This code language is often used for back-end development.

Now that you know the most popular computer programming languages used by developers today, you can be more specific about the languages you want the developer you hire to be familiar with. 

Building a website or application can be difficult. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it yourself. Outsource the work to someone with the right skills, experience, and knowledge for the task. 

If you’re hiring a developer, your job is to pick the right person, who knows the right languages to make your plans a reality. Depending on your goals, sometimes it’s an even better idea to hire a company that can offer more than just development for your website. Reach out to learn more about Bluehost’s website development services.