21232 Software developers and programmers

What this occupation covers

Software developers and programmers design, write, and test code for new systems and software to ensure efficiency. They create the foundations for operative systems and run diagnostic programs to certify effectiveness. They are employed in computer software, computer and video game development firms, information technology consulting firms, and in information technology units throughout the public and private sectors.

Official main duties

The NOC profile lists 7 main duties for this code.

• Design, write, read, test, and correct code for new software
• Analyze information to recommend and plan the installation of new systems or modifications of an existing system
• Evaluate simple interrelationships between programs such as whether a contemplated change in one part of a program would cause unwanted results in a related part
• Program animation software to predefined specifications for interactive video games, Internet and mobile applications
• Write, modify, integrate and test software code for e-commerce, Internet and mobile applications
• Develop, implement, modify and maintain gameplay features that integrate effectively into existing software
• Write documentation for new and updated software.

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 7 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.

• 21231 Software engineers and designers
• 22220 Computer network and web technicians
• 21230 Computer systems developers and programmers
• 21223 Database analysts and data administrators
• 10022 Advertising, marketing and public relations managers
• 52120 Graphic designers and illustrators
• 21222 Information systems specialists
• 22222 Information systems testing technicians
• 21233 Web designers
• 21234 Web developers and programmers

Excluded from this code

• Computer applications engineer (See 21231 Software engineers and designers)
• Computer network and web technicians (See 22220 Computer network and web technicians)
• Computer systems developers and programmers (See 21230 Computer systems developers and programmers)
• 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)
• Graphic designers and illustrators (See 52120 Graphic designers and illustrators)
• Information systems specialists (See 21222 Information systems specialists)
• Information systems testing technicians (See 22222 Information systems testing technicians)
• 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.

animation programmer · application programmer · artificial intelligence programmer · cloud developer · computer application programmer · computer game developer · computer game programmer · electronic business (e-business) software developer · electronic commerce (e-commerce) software developer · graphical user interface (GUI) designer · graphical user interface (GUI) developer · graphics programmer · interactive media developer · interactive media programmer · mobile applications developer · multimedia developer · multimedia programmer · software developer · software development programmer · software development project manager · software programmer · special effects programmer · teleprocessing software programmer

Employment requirements

• A bachelor's degree in computer science or software engineering or in another discipline with a significant programming component or completion of a college program in computer science or related field is usually required.
• Experience as a computer programmer is usually required.