An application analyst is a computer programmer who creates and maintains custom business applications. An application analyst’s responsibilities include program design, implementation, and support management. Analysts collaborate with engineers and project managers to modify existing software for company use, in addition to developing custom applications. Application analysts can work for a company that handles in-house software development or for a company that specializes in designing client applications.
An application analyst’s job description may also include database setup and management as needed for a specific piece of software or program. In order to be flexible enough to work with different types and functions of software depending on business needs, most positions require an analyst to know multiple programming languages. Object-oriented programming languages such as Hypertext Preprocessor Language (PHP), Java, Python, and Ruare commonly used analysts.
Application analysts are also responsible for server setup and management. Computer servers are used to run business applications, and an application analyst ensures that they are properly configured and updated on a regular basis. An analyst creates and maintains both the front-end and back-end of software applications. The user interface and input part of a program is known as the front-end of a piece of software or an application, whereas the databases and code that make the program work are known as the back-end.
When creating or modifying an application or program, another important part of an application analyst’s job is accurate and complete documentation. The documentation for a piece of software or a web application contains the program’s instructions and guides, as well as notes for future programmers to use when working with it. Because one piece of software is often created many people working on it at the same time, analysts help set the standardization requirements for an application in order to coordinate the work done on a project.
Analysts may also be in charge of maintaining and updating an application once it has been developed. Training clients or employees on how to use the software, as well as troubleshooting any problems that may arise with the application or the server that runs the application’s software, are common support responsibilities. An application analyst’s work is typically done in an office setting, and it entails collaborating with other analysts to develop programs and attending meetings to plan software development. Many application analyst positions require a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field, though some employers will accept many years of experience in the field in lieu of a degree.