Blockchain or Software Developer: What's Your Choice?

​Such tech surfing requires a genius team. That's where the question "Blockchain or Software developer" pops up. We'll figure out what software and blockchain development is and the key differences between the two developer types.​

Software development

What is software development?

It is the way that software engineer employs while creating software. The procedure is named Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). More about the software development cycle you can read in our previous article. 

What does the software development process look like?

The workflow consists of six key components, including:

• Setting needs
  Whether the specialists provide java software development services or healthcare software development services, it's important to conduct a market survey.
• Consideration of demands
  This stage provides a detailed overview of each component, the scope, the developer's duties, and the testing requirements to produce a high-quality result.
• Design
  Here, architects and developers define the highly technical standards they need to provide appropriate software application development services. 
• Coding stage
  Developers create code depending on the needs and product standards decided upon in earlier stages. Then they launch the application into an environment to test.
• Testing
  Testing is vital to check the product's functionality at this step to ensure that it operates following the requirements.
• Deployment and support
  The program can be delivered to users after it is free of errors. The IT software development company forms a support team. 

What do software developers do?

Software developers use various tools and skills to design, program, create, deploy, and maintain software. The software developer's job description may include meeting with clients to ascertain the requirements.

Blockchain development

What's blockchain development?

It's a distributed database recording transactions on numerous computers worldwide. Blockchain development company makes information exchange faster, more secure, and more clear while being more cost-effective. Additionally, it eliminates the need for third parties, whose primary function was to add a level of trust and certification (such as notaries).

Let's take a look at a project called BurstIQ. Patients and clinicians can safely share sensitive medical information with the aid of BurstIQ's big data blockchain contracts. The smart contracts define the conditions under which data can be shared and even show specifics of each patient's individualized treatment plans. 

Why do companies use blockchains?

To increase transaction security and transparency, decrease process costs and time.

There's a great example of how blockchain is beneficial for the product. Look at CGS-team's project Live art Market. A contemporary and safe alternative to conventional Fine Art trading is LiveArt Market. LiveArt selects buyers, curates listings, and offers flexible and easy fulfillment. 

What does the blockchain software development process look like?

1. Goal setting
   Carrying doing a thorough analysis of the project is crucial. For example, the team should decide which issues should be solved in the blockchain app development process. 
2. Blockchain platform 
   When choosing the blockchain services provision approach, it is critical to consider whether you need an existing blockchain or to create a new one from the start.
3. Tokens
   Token economics outlines the structure of a certain ecosystem inside the blockchain space and provides descriptions of the economic systems.
4. PoC
   A Proof-of-Concept is a technique used to show how a blockchain project would work in practice. A created prototype includes sketches defining the mockups, designs, tested goods, and information architecture.
5. Design
   Blockchain software development company developers must plan out the entire program at this point and design user interfaces for each piece of software.
6. Coding
   It's time for the blockchain development process. 

Following customer approval, providing blockchain software development services continues on to the next alpha testing phase. 

What do blockchain developers do?

The two main categories of blockchain developers are:

1. Core blockchain developer. The architecture of blockchain systems is created and maintained by core blockchain developers. Their work includes:

• Design of network security patterns 
• Control over the entire network
• Blockchain protocol design
• Network architecture's design

2. Blockchain software developer. On top of already-existing blockchain systems, blockchain software developers supply blockchain app development services. They do:

• Developing interactive front-end for dApps
• Blockchain backend development and the creation of smart contracts
• Monitoring of the complete stack used to execute their dApps.

Blockchain developer vs. software developer

Career way

Actually, any software developer can become an expert in blockchain programming. In fact, the majority of blockchain experts began their careers as software developers. To work in a blockchain app development company, the dev can complete multiple courses on blockchain technology after receiving the standard software engineer education. 

Education

A software engineer can find the first job after finishing a degree in computer science or a related discipline. Is it the same in blockchain development?

Because web 3.0 is still in its infancy, there is no single degree just for blockchain engineers. Blockchain devs usually have computer science degrees and specialized courses in the blockchain.

Language question

In addition to languages like C++, Python, and Java, which are also vital in blockchain technology, blockchain development service providers should be knowledgeable in the following:

• Goland helps programmers build quick blockchain systems.
• C# looks like Java and C++. C# enables running projects on various operating systems (Windows, Mac, Android, and Linux). By the way, it also supports Stratis, a Blockchain-as-a-Service company that helps build dApps.
• Solidity helps in creating smart contracts.
• Vyper is used on Ethereum, and has distinct control and security architecture. 
• Simplicity is for smart contracts on a high-level language focused on Bitcoin Script.
• Rholang is also for smart contracts and creating dApps. 

Salary
A software developer earns between $ 75,000 to about $ 100,000 annually in the USA. Meanwhile, the average blockchain development service provider's salary is $145,000. Entry-level positions start at $121,875, and go up to $185,250.

Let's sum up the key differences.

• Blockchain engineers should operate languages like Javascript, Python, Java, C#, Scala, blockchain programming Java, Solidity, Simplicity, Rholang, Vyper. When software developer — Javascript, Python, Java, C++, Scala. 
• Blockchain developers' experience should include SQL, NoSQL, Golang, chain code, web3.js, Geth, Corda, AWS, Bluemix, Azure, Stellar. When software developers' — SQL, NoSQL, AWS, Bluemix, Azure, Stellar. 
• Blockchain dev's expertise should cover backend software engineering or full-stack. A software engineer's one — front-end or backend software engineering experience or even full-stack. 
• Blockchain developer's education should include certifications in blockchain technologies and, preferably, a bachelor's degree. Software dev's one — Degree in software development or related areas.

Who is the Best Fit for your Blockchain Project?

The answer is — it depends. Each developer has an exclusive number of skills and experience. In CGS-team there are both blockchain and software developers. The client team is custom-made so that the devs can fulfill all the requirements. Such an approach helps the company to grow fast and get great clients. Check the projects here.

If we compare blockchain technology to traditional client-side applications, there's a big gap. If we compare blockchain smart contract development to backend procedural development, it's not so huge.

To sum up

The answer to the main question is — the tools, and the context makes sense. Each project has one-of-a-kind requirements, and the team should be formed accordingly.

You checked what blockchain and software development is, who is a blockchain and a software developer, and the difference between the two dev types.