21230 Computer systems developers and programmers

What this occupation covers

Computer systems developers and programmers write, modify, integrate and test computer code for software applications, data processing applications, operating systems-level software and communications software. They are employed in computer software development firms, information technology consulting firms, and in information technology units throughout the public and private sectors.

Official main duties

The NOC profile lists 8 main duties for this code.

• Write, modify, integrate and test software code
• Maintain existing computer programs by making modifications as required
• Identify and communicate technical problems, processes and solutions
• Prepare reports, manuals and other documentation on the status, operation and maintenance of software
• Assist in the collection and documentation of user requirements
• Assist in the development of logical and physical specifications
• May lead and coordinate teams of computer programmers
• May research and evaluate a variety of software products

Do not copy these lines into your reference letter. The letter has to describe what you actually did, in your employer’s words. DUTYPROOF flags wording lifted from the NOC as something to review, and an officer reading a letter that mirrors the NOC reads it the same way.

What DUTYPROOF screens for

This is DUTYPROOF’s screening threshold, not IRCC’s decision. For this NOC, screening requires at least 2 of its 8 official duties to be evidenced in your own words, plus the required letter elements. IRCC asks that you performed the actions in the occupation’s lead statement and a substantial number of its main duties — so treat the duty coverage as the number that matters, not the badge.

Codes this one is confused with

The NOC profile names these itself. Choosing the wrong code of a look-alike pair is the most common way genuine work experience fails to establish eligibility.

• 22220 Computer network and web technicians
• 21223 Database analysts and data administrators
• 10022 Advertising, marketing and public relations managers
• 21222 Information systems specialists
• 22222 Information systems testing technicians
• 21231 Software engineers and designers
• 21233 Web designers
• 21234 Web developers and programmers

Excluded from this code

• Computer network and web technicians (See 22220 Computer network and web technicians)
• Database analysts and data administrators (See 21223 Database analysts and data administrators)
• Electronic business (e-business) manager (See 10022 Advertising, marketing and public relations managers)
• Information systems specialists (See 21222 Information systems specialists)
• Information systems testing technicians (See 22222 Information systems testing technicians)
• Software engineers and designers (See 21231 Software engineers and designers)
• Web designers (See 21233 Web designers)
• Web developers and programmers (See 21234 Web developers and programmers)

Job titles filed under this code

A title on this list does not by itself put your experience in this code — the duties in your letter decide that.

computer programmer · detail programmer · electronic data processing (EDP) applications programmer · mainframe systems programmer · operating systems programmer · programmer analyst · satellite scientific telecommunications programmer · scientific programmer · systems programmer

Employment requirements

• A bachelor's degree or college diploma program in computer science, computer engineering or in another discipline with a significant programming component.
• Specialization in programming for engineering and scientific applications requires specific post-secondary study or experience.