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developer

developer

213 3.0
A person or company that makes computer programs like apps
  • noun
  • /dɪˈvɛləpər/
translation icon : desarrollador de software
  • The software developer created a new application that helps users track their expenses.
  • software developer
  • test developer
  • professional developer

But it was the developer behind Firefox, like Ross.

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Examples

  • Andy Herzfeld was one of the principal software developers of the Macintosh.

  • I'm a software developer.

  • The front end developer read over our materials.

  • I mean, could we see a game developer be able to design like this?

  • I used to work for a developer.

  • You must have been an early developer.

  • Brian was a great developer.

  • But the developers reached out to me and gave us some early access keys.

  • Reed Hastings was a software developer before he started Netflix.

  • Hypermedia tools in the 1990s allowed developers to incorporate video into computer-based lessons.

    Academic text (2015)

Synonyms

programmer
vsdeveloper
108 3.0

A person who writes, tests, and fixes computer programs

is broader and includes creating entire applications or systems beyond programming
computer programmer
vsdeveloper
14 3.2

A person who designs, writes, and tests computer code

is wider and covers creation of applications and whole systems beyond programs
software engineer
vsdeveloper
  • Specialized
14 3.5

A person who designs, writes, and tests computer programs

is a broader term for creating software or systems without engineering emphasis
coder
vsdeveloper
  • Specialized
13 3.4

A person who writes programs that tell computers what to do

is broader and covers designing applications and whole systems not only writing code
dev
vsdeveloper
  • Jargon
12 7.4

A person who writes and fixes software

is the neutral formal term used in professional contexts

How Skilled

expert
3 3.5
engineer
729 3.2
developer
213 3.0
hacker
  • Jargon
166 4.8
tinkerer
6 6.9
hobbyist
12 3.5
beginner
81 1.0

Surface Forms

developer singular
developers plural

Morphology

developer = develop (transparent) = develop + er

The meaning of 'developer' as someone who develops software is directly inferable from the base word 'develop'.

Etymology

Developer comes from the parts de- ('off') and velop ('wrap'), meaning to 'bring out' or 'un-wrap' an idea. A software developer turns a plan or idea into a working program, so they 'bring out' the software from the idea.