Infocomm TechnologyISCO 2511
ICT system developer
An ICT system developer is a person who maintains, audits and improves the support systems an organisation runs on, using existing or new technology to meet a specific need. The role covers both the software and the hardware side: the developer checks components of each, diagnoses system faults and removes them.
Check yourself in a minute: ICT system developer
Rate 5 of the 19 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
migrate existing data
use an application-specific interface
develop automated migration methods
keep up with the latest information systems solutions
debug software
About ICT system developer
Improving a working system is the main part of the job, and it is different from building one. Something is already in production, people depend on it, and the change has to fit what is there. The developer interprets technical texts, builds a software prototype where a proposal needs to be shown rather than described, and draws the flowchart that makes a process visible before it is coded.
Development work draws on the usual tools. The developer uses software libraries instead of rewriting solved problems, works with the application-specific interface a system exposes, and understands digital systems well enough to see where a limit lies in the hardware rather than in the code.
Two parts of the role are easy to underestimate. Migrating legacy data is one: the old system's data has to arrive in the new one without silent loss. Collecting customer feedback on the application is the other.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (19)
computer programmingcomputer programmingThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms (e.g. object oriented programming, functional programming) a...digital systemsdigital systemsSystems to store, process and spread information in digital form. They are hardware, software and networks, as well as the ways in which these can be employed.ICT debugging toolsICT debugging toolsThe ICT tools used to test and debug programs and software code, such as GNU Debugger (GDB), Intel Debugger (IDB), Microsoft Visual Studio Debugger, Valgrind and WinDbg.ICT system integrationICT system integrationThe principles of integrating ICT components and products from a number of sources to create an operational ICT system, techniques which ensure interoperability and interfaces between components and t...integrated development environment softwareintegrated development environment softwareThe suite of software development tools for writing programs, such as compiler, debugger, code editor, code highlights, packaged in a unified user interface, such as Visual Studio or Eclipse.ICT system programmingICT system programmingThe methods and tools required to develop system software, specifications of system architectures and interfacing techniques between network and system modules and components.migrate existing datamigrate existing dataApply migration and conversion methods for existing data, in order to transfer or convert data between formats, storage or computer systems.use an application-specific interfaceuse an application-specific interfaceUnderstand and use interfaces particular to an application or use case.develop automated migration methodsdevelop automated migration methodsCreate automated transfer of ICT information between storage types, formats and systems to save human resources from performing the task manually.keep up with the latest information systems solutionskeep up with the latest information systems solutionsGather the latest information on existing information systems solutions which integrate software and hardware, as well as network components.debug softwaredebug softwareRepair computer code by analysing testing results, locating the defects causing the software to output an incorrect or unexpected result and remove these faults.use software design patternsuse software design patternsUtilise reusable solutions, formalised best practices, to solve common ICT development tasks in software development and design.collect customer feedback on applicationscollect customer feedback on applicationsGather a response and analyse data from customers to identify requests or problems in order to improve applications and overall customer satisfaction.develop software prototypedevelop software prototypeCreate a first incomplete or preliminary version of a piece of software application to simulate some specific aspects of the final product.interpret technical textsinterpret technical textsRead and understand technical texts that provide information on how to perform a task, usually explained in steps.use software librariesuse software librariesUtilise collections of codes and software packages which capture frequently used routines to help programmers simplify their work.create flowchart diagramcreate flowchart diagramCompose a diagram that illustrates systematic progress through a procedure or system using connecting lines and a set of symbols.solve ICT system problemssolve ICT system problemsIdentify potential component malfunctions. Monitor, document and communicate about incidents. Deploy appropriate resources with minimal outage and deploy appropriate diagnostic tools.analyse software specificationsanalyse software specificationsAssess the specifications of a software product or system to be developed by identifying functional and non-functional requirements, constraints and possible sets of use cases which illustrate interac...
Optional (77) — show
HaskellHaskellThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Haskell.KDevelopKDevelopThe computer program KDevelop is a suite of software development tools for writing programs, such as compiler, debugger, code editor, code highlights, packaged in a unified user interface. It is devel...SAS languageSAS languageThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in SAS language.Ruby (computer programming)Ruby (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Ruby.Common LispCommon LispThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Common Lisp.Apache MavenApache MavenThe tool Apache Maven is a software program to perform configuration identification, control, status accounting and audit of software during its development and maintenance.LispLispThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Lisp.Visual BasicVisual BasicThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Visual Basic.defence standard proceduresdefence standard proceduresMethods and procedures typical for defence applications such as the NATO Standardization Agreements or STANAGs
Standard definitions of the processes, procedures, terms, and conditions for common milit...Java (computer programming)Java (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Java.Prolog (computer programming)Prolog (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Prolog.OpenEdge Advanced Business LanguageOpenEdge Advanced Business LanguageThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in OpenEdge Advanced Business Language.blockchain opennessblockchain opennessThe different levels of openness of a blockchain, their differences, and their advantages and disadvantages. Examples are permissionless, permissioned, and hybrid blockchains.JavaScriptJavaScriptThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in JavaScript.PerlPerlThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Perl.PHPPHPThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in PHP.software anomaliessoftware anomaliesThe deviations of what is standard and exceptional events during software system performance, identification of incidents that can alter the flow and the process of system execution.XcodeXcodeThe computer program Xcode is a suite of software development tools for writing programs, such as compiler, debugger, code editor, code highlights, packaged in a unified user interface. It is develope...Assembly (computer programming)Assembly (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Assembly.C#C#The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in C#.attack vectorsattack vectorsPaths or methods that threat actors use to exploit vulnerabilities in information networks or systems from a concrete organisation and impact its availability, integrity and confidentiality. Attack ve...RRThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in R.GroovyGroovyThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Groovy.ASP.NETASP.NETThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in ASP.NET.APLAPLThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in APL.object-oriented modellingobject-oriented modellingThe object-oriented paradigm, which is based on classes, objects, methods and interfaces and their application in software design and analysis, programming organisation and techniques.Puppet (tools for software configuration management)Puppet (tools for software configuration management)The tool Puppet is a software program to perform configuration identification, control, status accounting and audit.smart contractsmart contractA software program in which the terms of a contract or transaction are directly coded. Smart contracts are executed automatically upon fulfilment of the terms and therefore require no third party to o...STAFSTAFThe tool STAF is a software program to perform configuration identification, control, status accounting and audit.Eclipse (integrated development environment software)Eclipse (integrated development environment software)The computer program Eclipse is a suite of software development tools for writing programs, such as compiler, debugger, code editor, code highlights, packaged in a unified user interface. It is develo...security engineeringsecurity engineeringInterdisciplinary field of study that focuses on the realisation of secure systems and the technology to protect individuals or information from malice, errors, or unauthorized access. It involves def...AnsibleAnsibleThe tool Ansible is a software program to perform configuration identification, control, status accounting and audit.ICT security legislationICT security legislationThe set of legislative rules that safeguards information technology, ICT networks and computer systems and legal consequences which result from their misuse. Regulated measures include firewalls, intr...Microsoft Visual C++Microsoft Visual C++The computer program Visual C++ is a suite of software development tools for writing programs, such as compiler, debugger, code editor, code highlights, packaged in a unified user interface. It is dev...core banking softwarecore banking softwareThe selection of software for core banking activities management (e.g. deposits, payments, loans, bank transactions, customer data) and other functions related to banking.TypeScriptTypeScriptThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in TypeScript.World Wide Web Consortium standardsWorld Wide Web Consortium standardsThe standards, technical specifications and guidelines developed by the international organisation World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) which allow the design and development of web applications.blockchain platformsblockchain platformsThe different integrated infrastructures, each with their own characteristics, that allow the development of blockchain applications. Examples are multichain, ehtereum, hyperledger, corda, ripple, ope...Objective-CObjective-CThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Objective-C.ML (computer programming)ML (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in ML.AJAXAJAXThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in AJAX.C++C++The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in C++.SAP R3SAP R3The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in SAP R3.Swift (computer programming)Swift (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Swift.MATLABMATLABThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in MATLAB.Salt (tools for software configuration management)Salt (tools for software configuration management)The tool Salt is a software program to perform configuration identification, control, status accounting and audit.Python (computer programming)Python (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Python.systems theorysystems theoryThe principles that can be applied to all types of systems at all hierarchical levels, which describe the system's internal organisation, its mechanisms of maintaining identity and stability and achie...Scratch (computer programming)Scratch (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Scratch.VBScriptVBScriptThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in VBScript.COBOLCOBOLThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in COBOL.Pascal (computer programming)Pascal (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Pascal.Internet of ThingsInternet of ThingsThe general principles, categories, requirements, limitations and vulnerabilities of smart connected devices (most of them with intended internet connectivity).Jenkins (tools for software configuration management)Jenkins (tools for software configuration management)The tool Jenkins is a software program to perform configuration identification, control, status accounting and audit of software during its development and maintenance.system designsystem designThe process of defining the architecture for different components and modules of a system, as well as the relevant data, for satisfying specific requirements.ScalaScalaThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Scala.plan migration to cloudplan migration to cloudSelect existing workloads and processes for potential migration to the cloud and choose migration tools. Determine a new cloud architecture for an existing solution, plan a strategy for migrating exis...design cloud architecturedesign cloud architectureDesign a multi-tier cloud architecture solution, which tolerates faults and is fit for the workload and other business needs. Identify elastic and scalable computing solutions, select high-performing ...utilise computer-aided software engineering toolsutilise computer-aided software engineering toolsUse software tools (CASE) to support the development lifecycle, design and implementation of software and applications of high-quality that can be easily maintained.use concurrent programminguse concurrent programmingUtilise specialised ICT tools to create programs that can execute concurrent operations by splitting programs into parallel processes and, once computed, combining the outcomes together.use logic programminguse logic programmingUtilise specialised ICT tools to create computer code composed of series of sentences in logical form, expressing rules and facts about some problem domain. Use programming languages which support thi...use object-oriented programminguse object-oriented programmingUtilise specialised ICT tools for programming paradigm based on the concept of objects, which can contain data in the form of fields and code in the form of procedures. Use programming languages which...develop with cloud servicesdevelop with cloud servicesWrite code that interacts with cloud services by using APIs, SDKs, and cloud CLI. Write code for serverless applications, translate functional requirements into application design, implement applicati...design database schemedesign database schemeDraft a database scheme by following the Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) rules in order to create a logically arranged group of objects such as tables, columns and processes.use query languagesuse query languagesRetrieve information from a database or information system using computer languages designed for the retrieval of data.use automatic programminguse automatic programmingUtilise specialised software tools to generate computer code from specifications, such as diagrams, structured informations or other means of describing functionality.develop creative ideasdevelop creative ideasDeveloping new artistic concepts and creative ideas.monitor system performancemonitor system performanceMeasure system reliability and performance before, during and after component integration and during system operation and maintenance. Select and use performance monitoring tools and techniques, such ...implement anti-virus softwareimplement anti-virus softwareDownload, install and update software to prevent, detect and remove malicious software, such as computer viruses.apply ICT systems theoryapply ICT systems theoryImplement principles of ICT systems theory in order to explain and document system characteristics that can be applied universally to other systems.automate cloud tasksautomate cloud tasksAutomate manual or repeatable processes to minimize management overhead. Evaluate cloud automation alternatives for network deployments and tool-based alternatives for network operations and managemen...use functional programminguse functional programmingUtilise specialised ICT tools to create computer code which treats computation as the evaluation of mathematical functions and seeks to avoid state and mutable data. Use programming languages which su...identify ICT system weaknessesidentify ICT system weaknessesAnalyse the system and network architecture, hardware and software components and data in order to identify weaknesses and vulnerability to intrusions or attacks. Execute diagnostic operations on cybe...design for organisational complexitydesign for organisational complexityDetermine cross-account authentication and access strategy for complex organizations (for example, an organization with varying compliance requirements, multiple business units, and varying scalabilit...integrate system componentsintegrate system componentsSelect and use integration techniques and tools to plan and implement integration of hardware and software modules and components in a system.adapt to changes in technological development plansadapt to changes in technological development plansModify the current design and development activities of technological projects to meet changes in requests or strategies. Ensure that the organisation's or client's needs are met and that any sudden r...design user interfacedesign user interfaceCreate software or device components which enable interaction between humans and systems or machines, using appropriate techniques, languages and tools so as to streamline interaction while using the ...
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Frequently asked questions
What does an ICT system developer do?
ICT system developers maintain, audit and improve organisational support systems. They use existing or new technologies to meet particular needs. They test both hardware and software system components, diagnose and resolve system faults.
What skills does an ICT system developer need?
An ICT system developer needs 19 essential skills, including computer programming, digital systems, ICT debugging tools, ICT system integration, integrated development environment software.
Will AI replace ICT system developer jobs?
The AI disruption score for ICT system developer is 82/100 (very high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: implement anti-virus software, collect customer feedback on applications, Salt (tools for software configuration management). Most resilient: systems theory, computer programming, security engineering.
AI Replacement Risk
82/ 100
Very High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.
Check your own AI riskQuick Facts
SectorInfocomm Technology
ISCO GroupInformation and communications technology professionals
Essential Skills19
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