Software developers and software engineers are poles apart, and the world needs to know that. This is very much the case; most people do not know any difference between them. Were you aware that “software developer” was previously used interchangeably to mean “software engineer”? Consequently, these two professions were often referred to as similar in meaning.
Today, both careers have started diverging. It’s like comparing apples and oranges or a computer programmer vs a software developer. Simply put, software development is one aspect of software engineering. Initially, these two fields were seen as synonyms. Still, they now have distinct skill sets, responsibilities, and contributions towards technology globally. Furthermore, blockchain technology, along with blockchain software development companies, added fuel to this separation. Lastly, let’s talk about the basics and distinction between software developers and software engineers who are also throwing in Blockchain’s role there!
Software Development Services: Historic Perspective
Software developers and engineers have existed since computers were invented. In the past, creating software took months, especially because those computers occupied whole rooms. This was done through punch cards inserted into these giant computers. Tom Kilburn made the first Manchester Small-Scale Experimental Machine (SSEM) software and started software development.
Software Development in the Late 19th Century
During the 1950s and 1960s, new and innovative programming languages such as COBOL, Fortran, and LISP emerged, thereby initiating a software revolution. Software development was also popularized during the personal computer revolution of the 1970s-80s. At this period, computers with graphical user interfaces (GUI) like Windows and MacOS appeared.
The personal computer revolution gave us home computing, word processing, and gaming.
The internet turned software into a global commodity in the 1990s. Everything from development and distribution was revolutionized by the World Wide Web, which subsequently saw cryptographic techniques rise that laid the basis of blockchain technology. In 1991, Stuart Haber and W Scott Stornetta developed an initial type of proto-blockchain technology in which electronic records would receive timestamps that could not be altered. 2024 is approaching, and software development is still changing quickly, with the global population of software developers expected to be around 28.7 million people. The fact that there was a $565 billion worldwide market for software in 2021 indicates this increase in the industry’s growth of innovation or demand for advanced software solutions.
Role Specialization
In the course of maturity, the software industry went through a natural process of specialization. Several factors caused this diversification, including the development of new programming languages, the complex nature of software systems, and the need for more efficient and robust solutions. Two main roles evolved during this process as follows:
Software Developers
- Focus: Software developers are known to be very skilled at writing codes and developing functional software applications. They are artisans who translate code into functioning software.
- Skills: Proficiency in programming languages, algorithms, and software design.
- Responsibilities: Writing codes, debugging, testing, and ensuring they meet the intended functions.
Software Engineers
- Scope: Software engineers approach software creation from a broader perspective by applying engineering principles; for example, they extend their focus past coding to the entire lifecycle of apps or programs.
- Skills: Software engineers emphasize scalability in addition to programming and computational thinking processes like algorithmic complexity.
- Responsibilities: Drawing up architectures, optimizing performance, managing databases, and ensuring the quality of this program are some of their jobs.
The Digital Revolution
Scholars have shown considerable interest in the technology behind Blockchain for over a decade. It was coined in 2008 and became prominent with the release of a whitepaper by an anonymous developer known as Satoshi Nakamoto. This document proposed ways to solve the issue of double-spending during financial transactions and introduced the idea of a decentralized, peer-to-peer architecture.
As time went on, software developers understood what Blockchain could do. They started incorporating standard software engineering principles into the development of blockchain applications. This approach guarantees strongness, safety, and scalability in blockchains.
A systematic review of the literature examined articles on top library databases, revealing how software engineering practices relate to blockchain technology. The paper identified challenges and suggested future areas for research.
Fast-tracking Time-to-Market
Blockchain shortens the amount of time it takes to get a product into the market by simplifying the complexity involved in product development. Examples are;
- DevOps: Moreover, blockchain technology makes deployment, testing, and continuous integration easier, which helps connect software development, operations, and quality assurance teams.
- Supply Chain Management: Blockchain has come to the rescue of supply chain management by making transparent, traceable, and efficient supply chains possible, thus benefiting manufacturers and end consumers.
- Digital Payments: Digital currencies like Bitcoin based on a blockchain can be employed for safe transactions globally without restrictions. This technology reduces the frictional forces caused by intermediaries, leading to quicker adoption and innovation.
Resilience and Decentralization
By leveraging blockchain technology, companies offering blockchain software development services can become more resilient. On the other hand, applications based on this technology are designed to withstand failure at times when network downtime or database servers crash.
One of the main characteristics of blockchains is decentralization. In contrast with conventional centralized systems, wherein one body has control over data and processes, blockchains delegate authority among multiple nodes in a network as opposed to a single entity to provide the dependability required by essential applications.
Job Opportunities & Growth
According to a NASSCOM report, there are an estimated 50,000 jobs globally. Future estimates suggest this figure will rise to around 800,000 by 2030.
With blockchain applications gaining ground in sectors such as finance, healthcare, supply chain management, among others, it is expected that the number of software engineers specializing in blockchain technology will rise significantly. Also, Open-source projects related to Blockchain on GitHub have increased by over 200% since 2017.
The Modern Tech Landscape
The modern technology landscape is changing rapidly. The roles of software developers and engineers are becoming more complicated, dynamic, and interrelated day by day. Traditionally, developers were seen as craftsmen who took new ideas to implement functional code. In contrast, engineers were seen as people who designed and implemented whole systems. However, with the advent of blockchain technology and its integration, this line has been blurred creating a new relationship where these roles overlap increasingly.
Blockchain software development requires a unique blend of coding skills and an architect’s foresight that is not found in most other programming projects. Therefore, a developer working on a blockchain project must write code that not only works but also understands how this impacts the network and its users at large. This variation signifies a profound alteration from traditional models of software development.
Trend: There has been a 2000% increase in demand for experts in Blockchain within the job market between the years 2017 and 2020. It shows that knowledge about blockchains is becoming crucial for anyone interested in tech careers (101Blockchains).
What’s Next for Software and Blockchain?
Blockchain innovation will not stop, as software roles are continuously evolving, with blockchain technology taking the lead role. The fact that Blockchain’s potential can reach far beyond financial services toward healthcare, supply chain management, and even governance suggests that there is just a growing need for developers and engineers with blockchain skills.
New roles may emerge as the technology grows and becomes widely used. For instance, we can expect increased demand for blockchain system architects overseeing complex blockchain infrastructures or decentralized application (dApp) developers specializing in creating applications for decentralized networks.
Blockchain Data Trends
According to predictions, by 2030, Blockchain will be integrated into the everyday existence of nearly 30% of clients worldwide (The Cuneiform). Looking at this forecast, it’s clear that Blockchain has the potential to shake things up in different sectors and global markets. Additionally, the worldwide blockchain market is estimated to reach $1,431.54 billion by 2030 at an impressive CAGR of about 85.9% from 2022-2030 (PR Newswire). In addition, by 2030, Blockchain could increase global GDP by $1.76 trillion (PWC). Furthermore, there is a great consensus among financial sector experts – as much as ninety-six percent of them believe Blockchain has already reached the mainstream adoption stage.
Blockchain Adoption across Industries
- Supply Chain Management: In the year 2025, globally, there will be a substantial improvement in supply chain efficiencies by about 30% of blockchain technologies’ adoption rates (Springer).
- Healthcare: The global Blockchain in the healthcare market is anticipated to reach USD 1.7 billion by 2026, driven by use cases such as secure medical records, drug traceability, and clinical trials (Globe Newswire).
- Finance and Banking: 77% of financial institutions will likely adopt Blockchain for international payments and remittances (PWC).
Cryptocurrency Trends
- Bitcoin Dominance: Bitcoin (BTC) still holds its place as the most dominant cryptocurrency, with a market capitalization share of over sixty percent.
- Ethereum’s Rise: Since its launch, Ethereum (ETH) has been growing rapidly due to its decentralized app (DApp) and smart contracts, which now comprise nearly half of the global computing power. It passed the $500bn market cap barrier in 2023 (Great Wall of Numbers).
- Stablecoins Surge: Stablecoins pegged on fiat currencies have experienced tremendous growth with a market cap above $200bn (ACCA Global).
Conclusion
The evolution of the roles of software developers and engineers has been a journey of continuous adaptation and growth. With the advent of blockchain technology, this evolution is moving in another direction, which could redefine the entire industry. Get on board and follow the waves by outsourcing software development services to the best blockchain software development companies.
Blockchain technology integration is reshaping roles within the tech industry and opening up new possibilities. We are in a thrilling period of innovation that requires us to adapt and grow with the technology we are using. The future of blockchain software development companies and engineering has arrived, and it is inseparable from the future of Blockchain.