The exact difference between a coder, a programmer, a developer and a software engineer

Jack Dorsey is an American computer programmer, a co-founder and CEO of Twitter.

Maybe you have heard about these job titles in the past, but what exactly is the difference between them? Some people claim that it mostly depends on your education and on what you have achieved; in some way, this may be true, but some others claim that sometimes the company you are working for decides if you are a programmer, a developer or other, making it merely a job title. Let's take a closer look to this.

What is the exact difference between a coder, a programmer, a developer and a software engineer?

1. Coder

A Coder is a person in charge of writing the code that makes most of our apps run properly. Those who are coders have the ability to create software that can be used not only in apps but also in video games, social media platforms, and many others. Coders sometimes cannot do all the phases required in the making of a software, like designing or testing, they mostly take part only in the phase of writing the base code. In some cases, there are people who may get offended If you call them a coder.

2. Programmer

A Programmer is a bit more specialized person. They are able to create computer software in any primary computer language, like Java, Python, Lisp, etc. Programmers are said to go beyond coders, they may specialize themselves in one area or may even write instructions for a wide variety of systems.

They also understand quite well algorithms. Programmers can be similar to Developers but the ones who implements are not the same as the ones who can design or do a well class structure within the software. They can take care of many details.

3. Developer

A Developer can write and create a complete computer software out of nowhere taking care of the design and other features. They are key for the development of any software applications; they are also experts in at least one programming language. Some people consider them true professionals that can take care of all the generals. Developers can sometimes be more general when it comes to the development of a software, unlike Programmers.

4. Software Engineer

A Software Engineer is an individual that applies the principles and techniques of computer science or software engineering to everything regarding the development of a new independent software; from analyzing what the particular needs of the user are, going through the design, maintenance and testing, and even the final evaluation of the software. They are able to create software’s for any kind of system as operating systems software, network distribution, compilers and so on. They often have a college degree and can prove things theoretically.

Another way for understanding the differences between a Coder, a Programmer, a Developer and a Software Engineer is seeing them as a hierarchy or as stair, where the Coder can be found in the low section of the stair and the Software Engineer can be found at the top. Maybe to you all these job tittles may mean the same because you once knew a Developer that could do everything a Software Engineer can, but there are really some differences between them are worth knowing.

If some companies take special attention in the name of their employees or not, it is not such a big deal to worry about; what really matters is knowing what you can do and how well you can do it. (Vicky Singh Rao/technotification.com)

The top 15 highest paying programming languages and the salary you can expect

Computer programmer Emi Morikawa, 17, | YOSHIAKI MIURA/japantimes.co.jp

As the ever-expanding world of technology continues to grow in its reach, so too do the various jobs, skills, and programming languages. Since the dot-com bubble of the 1990s and early 2000s, we've seen a great proliferation of various programming languages, and that growth shows no signs of slowing.

Indeed, some lists suggest there are close to 300 different languages one can learn. It’s no secret that coding skills are highly sought after and often very well compensated in the workforce, but no one can learn every language, and some skills are more valuable than others.

As the tech industry continues to evolve and progress, it’s important to know how to choose a programming language to learn, what the best way to learn that language is, and how your choice might affect your employment future.

One key consideration, as with any job, is the salary you can expect after you’ve picked up your new skill. With that in mind, here are the fifteen highest paying programming languages for 2016:

1. Java
With the motto "Write once, run anywhere," Java has become a nearly ubiquitous concurrent language that can run on just about any platform imaginable, meaning developers who have mastered the language are always in high demand. Senior level Java developers can often expect salaries as high as $115,000.

2. Python
A highly versatile and very readable language, Python is used heavily by major players in the tech industry, such as Google and NASA, and senior-level Python developers can easily fetch a $100,000+ salary.

3. R
Otherwise known as GNU S, the R programming language is specialized for statistical computing and graphics development. Widely used by data miners and statisticians for data analysis, R can fetch some very high salaries exceeding $100,000, because the language is so specialized.

4. Objective-C
A modernized upgrade to its predecessor C, Objective-C is the main language used by Apple to develop its OS X and iOS platforms. It is used heavily by Apple for their APIs, Cocoa and Cocoa Touch. Because of Apple’s reliance on the language, Objective-C can fetch top-notch developers a salary that is close to six figures.

5. Swift
A relatively new language on the market as a streamlined companion to Objective-C, Swift has exploded in popularity recently as the main programming language for Cocoa and Cocoa Touch, Apple’s frameworks supporting iOS, OS X, watchOS, and tvOS. Demand and salaries are still on the rise for this young language, and Swift’s affiliation with Apple means a skillset that includes this language could easily earn six figures in the near future.

6. C#
Developed by Microsoft and part of the foundational family of C programming languages, C# (pronounced "see sharp") is known for its simplicity and wide general usage. C# developers can easily earn a solid $90,000+ in salary.

7. JavaScript
As one of the three main technologies for World Wide Web content production, it should be no surprise that JavaScript developers are among the most in-demand on the market. Whether it’s running a website on any browser without the need for plugins, implementing site-specific browsers or developing desktop widgets, there’s always work for a JavaScript developer. A senior JavaScript developer can typically expect a salary of at least $90,000.

8. Perl
Technically a family of related languages, Perl is generally known best as a popular CGI scripting language and is also used for graphics programming, system administration, and even some financial applications. Salaries vary based on the specific use, but Perl’s versatility means its programmers are always in high demand and can often expect a salary of no less than $80,000.

9. C++
Another member of the famous C family, C++ is best known for being an efficient and flexible language that is used to develop large systems such as desktop applications and server platforms. A very well-known and reliable language, C++ can often fetch its developers a salary of at least $80,000.

10. SQL
Short for Structured Query Language, SQL is a special-purpose language whose main function in development is managing the data in databases and data streams. It has grown widely in popularity recently and can demand salaries well into the $80,000 range.

11. Ruby on Rails
Also known simply as "Rails," Ruby on Rails has earned a very respectable reputation in recent years for its popular default structures for databases, web services and web pages. A Ruby on Rails job can consistently haul in a healthy salary of $75,000+.

12. C
Famous for the original "Hello, World!" program, C is one of the bedrock languages of modern computing and remains an incredibly useful language for efficiently mapping machine instructions for applications and operating systems. As it’s one of the most widely-known languages of all time, C developers are always in high demand, with salaries typically ranging anywhere from $60,000-$80,000.

13. PHP
Most often used specifically for server-side functions like web development, PHP has grown tremendously in popularity in recent years. Its web-facing features make it a highly-demanded skill, and PHP developers can easily claim salaries of over $75,000.

14. T-SQLShort for Transact-Structured Query Language, T-SQL is closely related to its predecessor, SQL, serving as the main line of communication with the SQL server for any application’s user interface. T-SQL is a very specific language that requires a certain skillset, so while it may not be in as high demand as some other language, specialists still get compensated well for mastery of the language and can pull in an average salary of over $70,000.

15. Ruby
Not to be confused with Ruby on Rails, Ruby is a sophisticated, modernized take on classic languages like C and PERL that emphasizes simplicity through natural syntax and easy-to-read code. Its broad appeal means even entry level developers can fetch salaries pushing $60,000, and senior level developers can earn salaries close to six figures.

It’s well documented that there is a shortage of top tech talent in the market, so no matter which of these highly lucrative languages you choose to tackle, you can’t go wrong. Start mastering one of these languages now and rest assured that your skillset will be in high demand. (malvastyle.com)

Here are the top 10 easiest programming languages for those looking to learn to program

(c). technotification.com

When it comes to breaking into a career as a developer or adding a new coding language to your skillset, certain languages are easier to pick up than others, according to a new report from WP Engine.

WP Engine surveyed 909 developers across the US. California, unsurprisingly, was home to the greatest percentage of programmers (14%), while states including Florida, New York, and Texas had a high volume of residential programmers. Nearly 70% of the programmers surveyed were men, and 30% were women.

Here are the top 10 easiest programming languages to learn, and the percentage of developers who designated them so, according to WP Engine.

1. HTML (13.3%)
HTML was designated both the easiest programming language to learn, and the one that programmers are the most comfortable with, WP Engine found. Created in 1990, this markup language is one of the primary tools for creating standard web pages and applications across any browser.

2. Python (9%)
Python is known for its high readability and simple syntax that is easy to learn, according to the report. "For new coders especially, the consistency and simplicity of Python both contribute to its ease of use and approachability," the report stated. Initially created in 1989, Python has been in use for almost 25 years since its first release in 1994.

3. Javascript (6.2%)
Javascript is an open source code that utilizes a combination of C, C++, and Java functions that are designed to allow programmers to pick the language that works best for them, the report stated. Javascript also took the top spot on the list of languages that programmers ranked as most creative.

4. PHP (4.9%)
PHP is an open source, general-purpose scripting language that is especially suited for web development, and can be embedded into HTML.

5. Java (4.6%)
Java is a general-purpose programming language that is specifically designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible. Created in 1991, Java was also ranked as one of the most favored and most versatile languages to write in.

6. R (4.4%)
R is an open source programming language for statistical computing and graphics that is supported by the R Foundation for Statistical Computing.

7. Shell (4.4%)
A shell script is a computer program designed to be run by the Unix shell. It is typically used for file manipulation, program execution, and printing text.

8. Ruby (4.1%)
Ruby is a dynamic, open source programming language with a focus on simplicity. It also ranked high on the list of most creative programming languages.

9. Erlang (3.8%)
Erlang is a general-purpose, concurrent, functional programming language. It is used to develop concurrent and distributed systems.

10. Go (3.6%)
Go, Google's open source programming language, is helpful for developing web applications with minimal frameworks, web servers, or APIs, the report noted. It is also easy to deploy a Go app running on Google Cloud Platform. Go was also ranked one of the most intuitive programming languages. (source: Techrepublic/Alison DeNisco)

Want to be a millionaire? Going to one of these universities will increase your chances

A new report from Verdict and GlobalData WealthInsight examined which universities around the world produce the most millionaire graduates.

US schools dominate the rankings, followed by those in the UK. Expanding to the top 50, the list becomes more diverse, with schools from Israel, Australia, France, Canada, Mexico, Italy, and Singapore all counted among that number.

Since the US is home to more millionaires than any other nation, it's not a surprise to see Ivy League schools dominate the list, said Oliver Williams, head of WealthInsight, in the report. But US universities also graduate more foreign millionaires than any other country, he noted.

"With some of the world's best institutions making up the top millionaire making universities, it is evident that education is an essential step to becoming a millionaire," Williams said in the report. "However, it is outside the classroom where the next millionaires will be found: Entrepreneurial ideas are nurtured on campuses where recruiters from the world's leading corporations can be found scouting for the brightest minds."

This list does not include the 1.3% of millionaire alumni who dropped out of their universities to pursue entrepreneurial goals, Williams said in the report. "The likes of Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates famously abandoned Harvard - which produces more millionaires than any other university - to pursue billion dollar businesses," he added.

Here are the top 10 millionaire-making universities.

1. Harvard University
Harvard's history, influence, and wealth have made it one of the world's most prestigious universities. It has a top-ranked business school, medical school, and school of engineering and applied sciences.

2. Stanford University
Stanford's most popular majors include engineering, computer and information sciences, and biological and biomedical sciences, according to US News & World Report. The school's campus, located in California's Bay Area, and its reputation for excellence has helped make the school a prime place for tech companies to find new employees.

3. University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania graduates many students in finance, economics, and biological sciences. The school also has highly ranked graduate programs in business and engineering.

4. Columbia University
Located in New York City, Columbia University includes three undergraduate schools as well as a number of highly-ranked graduate and professional schools. The most popular undergraduate majors at Columbia include engineering, social sciences, and biological and biomedical sciences.

5. Oxford University
Oxford University in the UK is both the oldest university in the English-speaking world, and the world's second-oldest university in continuous operation. The school includes five academic divisions, all of which perform research: Humanities, mathematical, physical and life sciences, medical sciences, and social sciences.

6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) specializes in science and technology disciplines, with many graduates going on to careers in the tech industry. The institution's largest school by enrollment is the School of Engineering, followed by the School of Science and the Sloan School of Management.

7. New York University
Located in New York City, New York University's most popular majors include visual and performing arts, social sciences, business, management, and marketing.

8. Cambridge University
Following Oxford University, Cambridge University is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world and the world's third-oldest university in operation. Cambridge includes six schools: Arts and humanities, biological sciences, clinical medicine, humanities and social sciences, physical sciences, and technology.

9. Northwestern University
Located in Illinois, Northwestern University's most popular majors include economics, psychology, political science, and biology. Northwestern also features several highly-ranked graduate schools, including those in management, law, and engineering.

10. University of Chicago
The University of Chicago's most popular majors include economics, biological and biomedical sciences, mathematics and statistics, and public policy analysis. Beyond the arts and sciences, the university is known for its professional schools, including its business and medical schools. (Author: Alison DeNisco)

Firefox Screenshots: Take, save, and share screenshots without leaving Firefox

First spotted in August 2016, the Page Shot screenshotting add-on was added as an experiment in the Mozilla Test Pilot program last fall, and after positive feedback, engineers decided to integrate as a default feature in the Firefox browser.

Firefox Screenshots is a new feature to take, download, collect and share screenshots. To use it, click on the Firefox Screenshot on the toolbar.

What types of screenshots can I capture?
There are several options for capturing screenshots:

Capture parts of a page: When you move the mouse cursor over the page, different parts of the page will be automatically highlighted. Click on the one you want to save.

Select a region of the page: Drag or click on the page to select a custom region of the page that you wish to capture. You can change the size and area to be captured using the marker points on the edge of the area.

To view all of the screenshots you've captured, choose My Shots.

How to save your screenshots?

Download screenshots as image files: To download the area as an image (.png) file, click the down arrow icon Screenshots down arrow icon fx55 . The file will be saved to the same folder you use as Firefox's default download location.

Save screenshots online: Select the Save icon Screenshots save icon fx55 to save the image to the Firefox Screenshots service for access online at a later date. To access saved images click on the Firefox Screenshot icon Fx55ScreenshotsIcon and then select My Shots.

By default, screenshots are saved for 14 days, but if you click on the expiry date, you have the option to change this.

Cancel: To cancel your selection, click on the Cancel icon Screenshots cancel icon fx55 .

If you install Firefox on another computer, you will need to copy the complete Firefox profile if you wish to retain access to any saved screenshots. You can read more about how to do this here.


Don't see Firefox Screenshots icon? This feature is still testing, so not everyone will see it.

Google is retiring its web-based YouTube editor, here are the best alternative free video editing apps

In September 2017, the free video editor at YouTube.com/editor will "go away," according to a YouTube Help Forum post by a Community Manager. The web-based editor allowed people to edit as many as 50 clips, 500 images, sound, titles, and transitions, to create up to an hour-long video. The video editor is being "retired" due to "limited usage," the post said.

The post suggested that there are "many free and paid third-party editing tools available," but omits names or links to replacement options.

So, if you need an alternative to the YouTube.com/editor, here are a few free options.

Alternative free video editing apps
Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS all offer excellent video editing alternatives.

People with iOS or macOS devices may switch to iMovie, a moderately powerful option, which Apple made available free to users on these platforms in April 2017. That same month, Apple also released the excellent Clips app for iOS that lets you record and edit short videos with minimal work. (YouTube's own YouTube Capture app for iOS, includes basic editing capabilities, but as of July 2017, the most recent update to the app was in 2013.)

Android users might try FilmoraGo or VivaVideo, both of which are free, with paid upgrade options. YouTube's own Android app includes trim and filter editing capabilities as well.

Windows or Linux users can choose from several open source video editors, such as OpenShot or Shotcut. And those are just two of the more powerful options. Many other video editing apps, like Lightworks, offer basic capabilities for free with paid upgrades for more features.

Web video editing

For people who need a free, web-based video editing solution, there are fewer options.

WeVideo works on the web, as well as on Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS, and delivers the ability to edit up to 4K video. However, the free plan limits you to five minutes of published video at 480p resolution per month, with paid plans starting at $59.88 per user per year. The company also offers a one-time fee for higher resolution video publishing, as well as special pricing for schools.

Another web-based video editor, Stupeflix, offers the ability to assemble and edit a series of video, photos, titles, maps, and transitions. The free version imposes a 20-minute maximum video length. Educators can apply for Stupeflix for Education, to give up to 100 students the ability to create videos at 360p resolution. (Stupeflix is owned by GoPro, which also offers the Quik editor for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS.)

Problematic for Chromebook users

Despite the aforementioned options, the withdrawal of the YouTube Video Editor feels like a snub to Chromebook owners—and educational users, in particular. None of the free browser-based video editing options I see match the YouTube Video Editor's capabilities. If you want equal—or better—features, you'll need to pay. Educators who used the YouTube editor to teach basic video editing on a Chromebook can choose low resolutions, limited times, or pay. (Note: In the long-term, Android video-editing apps may work well on Chrome OS, but most Chromebooks deployed in July 2017 don't support Android apps.)

From the point of view of YouTube, I understand the decision. Billions of people view video every day. Fewer upload video to YouTube. Of people who share video, only a tiny percentage use the web-based editor. It doesn't make sense to maintain a tool few people use. Developer resources are better used on other efforts. So, drop the YouTube.com/editor.

But, the killing of the YouTube editor strikes me as a significant snub to Chromebook users. Is there no other group within Google that sees a browser-based video editor as useful? I could see a browser-based video editor as a core app in either Google Classroom or G Suite. Why not take the opportunity to create (or acquire) an even more powerful collaborative, browser-based video editing tool?

I expect the use of video to increase in the future. And I had expected the use of Chromebooks to increase in the future, too. Yet this move seems to say that Google doesn't value the Chromebook owners who might use a Chromebook to edit video. I hope that changes. (Andy Wolber/techrepublic.com)

Hackers exploited an Instagram security hole to steal celebrity info and tried selling it

News that someone exploited an Instagram security hole to steal info from some of its most popular accounts got worse when they began selling it. Hours after the hack was disclosed, hackers established a searchable database named Doxagram allowing users to search for victims’ contact information for $10 per search.

The hacker provided a list of 1,000 accounts they said were available for searching on Doxagram to the Daily Beast, and the list included most of the 50 most-followed accounts on the service. Hackers say they have information on file for 6 million users.

The Verge reports this dark web service is no longer available, but The Daily Beast chatted with operators of the "Doxagram" database who provided a sample of the info that included addresses and numbers for about 1,000 accounts. The info did not appear to be from previous leaks, and some owners confirmed their entries were valid.

But even with the site shut down, contact information for dozens of celebrities now appears to be floating around on the dark web. A cybersecurity firm named RepKnight said it found what purported to be contact information for celebrities including:

Actors: Emma Watson, Emilia Clarke, Zac Efron, Leonardo DiCaprio, Channing Tatum.
Musicians: Harry Styles, Ellie Goulding, Victoria Beckham, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Adele, Snoop Dogg, Britney Spears.
Athletes: Floyd Mayweather, Zinedine Zidane, Neymar, David Beckham, Ronaldinho.

For celebrities and other high-profile users, the hack could mean having to change a phone number, email address, or both. But it can also be used along with social engineering techniques to gain access to the account itself. That seems to be what happened to Gomez, Instagram’s most-followed user. Her account was briefly taken down Monday after it was used to post nude photographs of Justin Bieber, her ex-boyfriend.

In another statement, Instagram again confirmed the bug, saying that while no passwords were revealed, the bug did allow access to phone numbers and email addresses even if they weren't public. The hackers were selling access to the database at a price of $10 for each query, and told Ars Technica today that they had made at least $500 already. According to them, an automated process could steal info from up to one million accounts per hour, and Instagram didn't close the hole until 12 hours after their attack started and he had accessed 6 million accounts.

Initially, Instagram's alert said that "high-profile" users may have had information revealed, but even with 700 million or so active users, there may be more people who need to know their information is out there. (engadget.com/theverge.com)

Google Assistant Is Now Adding The Ability To Capture Your Screen By Saying “Take a screenshot.”

Taking a screenshot on an Android smartphone can be achieved a number of different ways, but nearly all of them require a number of taps or button presses. However, thanks to a recent update to Google's AI assistant, that task can now be performed simply by using your voice. Say "OK Google, take a screenshot" and the Share panel will pop up, allowing you to capture whatever is on display.

The screenshot command in Google Assistant is a fairly recent addition, but functions exactly like the button method. As such, the navigation and status bar are not visible in resulting captures.

It can be activated by either saying or typing "Take a screenshot." After a brief loading screen, the system Share panel will slide up. The command will also appear in your history of previous Assistant actions.

This new feature also works when the Assistant panel is taking up the entire screen and even after you've asked several questions before issuing the command. "Take a screenshot" will always capture what's "behind" the Assistant panel.

The verbal command is particularly useful and comes as some have noticed in the past day that the screenshot button has disappeared from Assistant. That chip, along with the "What can you do?" option, has disappeared on two of my devices, though it remains on my colleague's phones.

Meanwhile, the built-in screenshot editor that we first encountered several months ago and in a recent Google app teardown is still not yet available for most users. (via 9to5google.com)