What is the difference?

What is the difference between Software Development and Web development? It is the computer science bachelor degree holder’s question.

Both of them are based on coding but they do have some differences, today in this article you will get the clear distinction between Software Development and Web Development.

What is Software Development?

Software development refers to the different processes involved in the creation or development of Software applications (Computer applications).  During this software developers will be involved in conceptualization, development, planning, testing, documentation, maintaining, etc… of the software.

Software development can be done in various ways. The common way of developing software is called as Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). The SDLC consists of these common phases or stages –

• Requirement Analysis and Planning
• Requirement defining
• Designing Requirements
• Developing the application
• Testing
• Implementation
• Re-deployment and maintenance

Software development has different purposes. The sole reason behind software development is to create a software application that can help the client to perform a task most effectively.

Software developers have good job opportunities with an annual salary estimated between $66,740 – $110,000. Here are the basic skills a software developer should have…

• Core knowledge about programming and computer applications.
• Good analytical skills to make changes in the existing application to improve its quality and performance.
• Good interpersonal skills and communication skills to understand the client’s needs.

What is Web Development?

It is also a programming process that focuses on websites or Web applications.  It focuses on developing user-friendly software in the form of a website using the codes. The experts who are involved in web development are known as Web developers.

All the sites you see on the internet are put there because of this web development. It is the process of creating a good-looking website with various programming and graphic design. As like the software development, it also follows its Web Development life cycle consists of –

• Website planning
• Analyzing
• Designing and Development
• Site testing
• Site implementation and maintenance

Web development can be classified into two types Front-end and back-end. Front-end development concerns the client’s side and the back end focus on the server-side.  All the websites including this site are the product of web development.

Difference between Software Development & Web Development

In a single sentence, Software development focuses on the development of Desktop or mobile-based applications like: VLC, Calculator, etc… Web development in the coding process followed to create websites on the internet.

Though both use the coding, there many difference between them here are they –

PARAMETER	SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT	WEB DEVELOPMENT
Definition	It is the process of creating a computer application to do a special or needed task.	In simple terms, Web development refers to the creation of a website for the internet or intranet.
Program Design	Coding is simple and straight forward	The programs involve graphic arts and design.
Nature of Platform	The software applications are mostly rigid as they are developed focusing on a particular platform	Web applications or sites are designed to run on different sites, so they interactive pages for multi-platforms.
Customization Options	There are not many customizing options in Software development applications.	There is high scope for customization in Web development.
Architecture	It is mostly client-based.	It is both client and server-based.
Role of Script	In software, development coding can be done without using script languages like Java, Python, etc…	In web development, script languages play an important role.
Output	Outputs of software development are mostly Desktop applications	Web development leads to the creation of Web applications or websites.
Design	Software applications are mostly static design.	A web application has both static and dynamic pages.
Hosting	Software Developed applications don’t need any hosting they run on the operating system.	Web development applications need hosting to go live on the internet or intranet.
Security	There is less need for security protocol in software-developed applications.	As a web application on the internet, it needs many security protocols to protect itself from viruses, malware, and information attackers.
Area of performance	The software application works well in simulation and database management.	Web applications are used for data centralization and multiuser system.

Download the comparison table here.

If there is any further please let them in the comment section below.

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