Software Development is a precise process. This means each role is predefined and delegated based on skill set. If you are in the Software Development industry, you must have come across roles of a DevOps engineer and a software engineer. Often confused with each other, there are many differences between the two. Knowing these differences can help organizations optimize their software development process and improve efficiency. Let’s have a look at both roles with their similarities, differences and functions in detail.
What is a Software Engineer?
Any IT specialist is designated as a ‘Software Engineer’ if he is skilled to design, develop, maintain, test, and evaluate software applications. A Software Engineer applies engineering principles to the software development lifecycle and develops a software product as per the client’s requirements. Software engineers are also well-versed in various programming languages and frameworks to write, test, and debug code. This is to ensure that the software product developed is functional and reliable. However, the responsibilities of a software engineer also vary depending on the specialization of the job role or industry. Some common responsibilities are:-
- Collaborating with professionals and developing teams to ensure quality and value to the product developed and that it meets the client’s needs.
- Designing & developing the software by using various programming tools and languages.
- Maintaining documentation to ensure others can understand and maintain the software.
- Taking follow-up and iterations regularly
- Testing, debugging and making the product ready for the market.
What is a DevOps Engineer?
As the name implies, a DevOps Engineer is an IT professional who performs not only development duties but also handles the operational processes of building and launching a software. How are the two different? Well, in software development, the development team handles the writing/coding part of the software product whereas the operations team deploys the solution and fixes the errors that arise once the software is operated. Conventionally, the two teams work independently of each other. This often results in longer developmental cycles and higher need for manpower. However, nowadays the two roles are being combined and this approach is referred to as the DevOps approach.
A DevOps engineer is a multitasker. Apart from writing the code, the role of a DevOps engineer also includes providing operational support for the product. This enhances the productivity of the developmental procedures and makes it easier to detect and rectify errors much sooner. Added responsibilities of a DevOps engineer include:
- Collaborating with stakeholders, clients and teams
- Setting up tools and required infrastructure for a project
- Defining development, release, and support processes of a software product
- Review, verify, and validate the software code developed in the project.
- Troubleshooting and debugging errors that arise at each iteration
- Automating processes wherever possible
- Incidence management and root cause analysis
Similarities between DevOps and Software Engineers
All DevOps engineers are software engineers by professions. DevOps engineers have the same qualifications as software engineers. Both require graduation in computer science, computer programming, software development, information technology or a related field. The added responsibilities of a Devops engineer are self acquired either via practicing operational support or via self learning.This similarity between the two makes it easier for a purely software engineer to switch and upskill to a DevOps engineer.
Another similarity between a software and DevOps engineer is their scope of responsibilities. Both software engineers and DevOps engineers participate in the development side of Software development life cycle and perform duties which include gathering requirements, coding, testing and debugging. DevOps engineers can also function as a pure software engineer or switch between the roles as per the requirement of the project at hand.
DevOps Engineers vs Software Engineers
There are many differences between DevOps and software engineers. Let us have a look at them:
Experience
As mentioned earlier, both of the roles require a bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT industry, computer applications or software engineering. However, DevOps engineers often require a more refined skill set wherein they must also be equipped with skills of the operations team. Recruiters also demand more years of experience from the candidates in DevOps role.
Roles and responsibilities
In Software development life cycle, software engineers function only on the development side. From understanding requirements of the client, designing and building the software, writing the code and algorithms and testing it for errors, a software engineer takes care of creating the product and readying it for deployment.
On the other hand, the role of a DevOps engineer is slightly more vast. Apart from handling all the tasks of software engineering, a DevOps engineer also performs operational duties, monitors the software after deployment and solves errors on the user’s end once the software product is live for users.
Speed
Software engineers are known to use a more conventional SDLC method compared to DevOps engineers who believe in constant feedback incorporation throughout the SDLC process. In the strictest models, the software engineers get feedback quite late, which results in error resolution and improvements at a much later stage. On the other hand, DevOps streamlines the feedback process and makes use of it, simultaneously, to better the product. This decreases the project turnaround time considerably.
Skills
Though knowledge of coding, programming, algorithms and development is common for both software and DevOps engineers, the role of DevOps also require managerial skills.DevOps engineers often need to communicate and collaborate with clients with specialized DevOps tools and knowledge of infrastructure platforms and oversee the development and operations process in SDLC.
Salary
As the job role is much more complex for DevOps engineers, salary is likewise distributed, with a DevOps engineer earning almost 25-30% more than a pure software engineer. This, however, also depends on the project requirements and the scale of the project.
Conclusion
Software engineers and DevOps engineers are both rewarding roles. However, an added skill set of DevOps can catapult your career growth by leaps and bounds. Since many companies are resorting to DevOps approach for software development for its efficiency and various advantages, it is only natural that software engineers apply for DevOps roles after garnering required skills and experience. Businesses, on the other hand, can reduce their software development time and harness the benefits of DevOps approach for better Software solutions. They can hire DevOps engineers or outsource to a DevOps company to craft efficient software solutions in no time. There are also many DevOps consulting firms which can guide and offer new found business solutions for their developmental projects.