What does a computer programmer do?

The products we use everyday, such as our computer, our smartphone, and our car, wouldn't be able to do what we ask them to do if it weren't for computer programmers.

Computer programming is a very detail-oriented profession. Therefore, programmers are required to focus on writing code for long periods of time without losing focus or losing track of their progress. Often small but critical code issues can have a big impact technically, and can prevent a program from operating correctly. Persistence and the ability to detect and rectify small discrepancies as quickly as possible is essential in order to solve issues.

There are four main categories of computer programmers. The following describes what the differences are between them and their roles:

Computer Hardware Programmer
Computers have their own machine language that they are able to understand and take instructions from. Computer hardware programmers write these instructions in a specific machine language (code) so that a computer knows what to do when someone presses the power button, types on the keyboard, or uses the mouse.

They also write code so that text can be displayed when the computer turns on. Computer programs (a collection of instructions) are put in permanent memory storage so that as soon as someone turns on their computer, programmed information is displayed that prompts the user to choose what the computer does next.

Computer hardware programmers are also involved in researching, designing, developing, and testing computer equipment.

Various Job Tasks For Computer Hardware Programmers

-Write detailed functional specifications for the hardware development process
-Build, test, and modify product prototypes using models
-Design, analyze, test performance of electrical/electronic/computer equipment
-Evaluate interface between hardware and software
-Evaluate operational and performance requirements
-Prepare designs, determine specifications and determine operational plans
-Design and develop CPU's/support logic/microprocessors/circuits/disk drives
-Monitor functioning and make necessary modifications
-Monitor processes for compliance with standards
-Recommend technical design or process changes to improve performance
-Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis
-Analyze user needs and recommend appropriate hardware

Careers Related To Computer Hardware Programmer

-Automation Engineer
-Computer Architect
-Computer Engineer
-Computer Hardware Designer
-Computer Hardware Developer
-Computer Installation Engineer
-Electronics Engineer
-Field Service Engineer
-Hardware Design Engineer
-Hardware Engineer
-Information Technology Consultant (IT Consultant)
-Network Engineer
-Systems Engineer
-Systems Integration Engineer
-Telecommunications Engineer

Web Developer
Computer programmers that design, create, and modify the millions of websites found on the Internet are called web developers. These types of computer programmers use software that allow them the ability to dictate what kinds of functions people are able to do when they access a website.

Web developers start by analyzing a user's needs before designing and structuring a website. They also add applicable graphics, audio, and video components if needed (often using software designed specifically to enable the creation of Web and multimedia content). Even a simple blog needs a web developer that can design the structure, function and the information that an audience can see.

Not only are web developers responsible for the look of a website, but they are also responsible for its performance, capacity, and sometimes content creation as well. Common programming languages for websites include HyperText Markup Language, JavaScript, Drupal, WordPress, and Joomla. These languages can be customized based on the website owner’s needs.

Careers Related To Web Developer

-Front End Web Developer
-Internet Architect
-PHP Web Developer
-Usability Specialist
-User Experience Designer
-User Interface Developer
-Web Applications Developer
-Web Architect
-Web Page Developer
-Web Programmer
-Website Developer
-Website Specialist
-Web Specialist
-Webmaster

Various Job Tasks For Web Developers

-Analyze user needs
-Select programming languages, design tools, or applications
-Create web models or prototypes
-Write computer programming code
-Design, build, edit, or maintain websites
-Use software, content creation tools, management tools, and digital media
-Develop and document style guidelines for website content
-Perform or direct website updates
-Register websites with search engines
-Prioritize needs, resolve tech issues, and develop content criteria
-Back up files to local directories to prevent loss of information
-Resolve software problems and troubleshoot issues
-Ensure code is valid and meets industry standards
-Ensure code is compatible with browsers, devices, or operating systems
-Update knowledge of current Web technologies and practices
-Develop test schedule to test performance
-Create and develop databases that support Web applications and websites
-Develop and integrate e-commerce strategies and marketing strategies
-Provide technical support for computer network issues
-Design and implement firewalls or message encryption
-Develop website maps, application models, image templates, or page templates
-Prepare graphics or other visual representations of information
-Manage links to and from other websites
-Document server load/bandwidth/database performance

Software Developer
Software developers are computer programmers that focus on designing and managing programming functions. A function is a section of organized, reusable code that is used to perform an action (functions can also be called methods, sub-routines, and procedures).

It is possible for software developers to build entire software applications with only functions. These functions, for example, can enable a person to open their tax file, edit their tax documents, and then save or print them. Each type of program is designed differently and has instructions and specific tasks relevant to the company it services. So trying to edit photos in your bank software won't work because the software developer's design didn't included any instructions for your bank program to edit photos.

Software developers also develop, design, create, and modify programs that run the operating systems for computers, networks and even smartphones. In a nutshell, a software developer's goal is to optimize operational efficiency by designing customized software.

Careers Related To Software Developer

-Database Designer
-Database Developer
-Game Developer
-Video Game Engineer
-Information Architect
-Information Systems Analyst
-Information Technology Analyst (IT Analyst)
-Information Technology Consultant (IT Consultant)
-Interface Designer
-Software Analyst
-Software Applications Architect
-Software Applications Designer
-Software Applications Developer
-Software Applications Engineer
-Software Applications Specialist
-Software Computer Specialist
-Software Design Engineer
-Software Designer
-Software Development Engineer
-Software Systems Engineer
-Systems Analyst Programmer
-Usability Engineer
-User Interface Designer
-Software Application Programmer

Various Job Tasks For Software Developers

-Consult with customers about software system design
-Review current systems
-Design software applications
-Analyze project data to determine specifications or requirements
-Determine system performance standards
-Modify existing software to correct errors or to improve its performance
-Present ideas for system improvements, including cost proposals
-Work closely with analysts, engineers, programmers, designers and staff
-Develop and direct software system testing and validation procedures
-Produce detailed specifications and write the program codes
-Test the product in controlled, real situations before going live
-Prepare training manuals for users
-Maintain the systems once they are up and running
-Analyze user needs and software requirements
-Supervise the work of programmers, technologists and technicians

Database Developers
A database (an organized collection of data) collects, arranges, sorts and retrieves related pieces of information. It runs behind the scenes of user software and websites, and is generally stored and accessed electronically from a computer system.

Database developers (or database programmers) are the people who are responsible for creating and implementing computer databases. These types of computer programmers will analyze the data needs of a company and then produce an effective database system to meet those needs.

They will also test database programs for efficiency and performance and troubleshoot and correct any problems that come up. Governments, banks, car dealerships, e-commerce businesses (think Amazon), all need specialized business systems and rely on their databases and the database developers who customize and revise them.

Careers Related to Database Developer

-Database Administrator (DBA)
-Network Administrator
-Data Architect
-Database Design Analyst
-Database Analyst
-Database Coordinator
-Database Design Analyst
-Database Designer
-Database Engineer
-Database Management System Specialist (DBMS Specialist)
-Database Manager
-Database Modeler
-Database Programmer

Various Job Tasks For Database Developers

-Design and development database programs
-Create databases to store electronic data
-Work as part of a project team to coordinate database development
-Develop data model describing data elements and how they are used
-Analyze existing databases and data needs of clients to develop systems
-Use specific programming languages and codes
-Follow implementation processes for new databases
-Troubleshoot and provide solutions for any bugs in new database applications
-Keep up with new and emerging technologies
-Use SQL skills
-Test programs or databases and make necessary modifications
-Update computer database information

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The length of time required to become a computer programmer is dependent on the educational track chosen to pursue the career.

Bachelor’s Degree
The traditional choice is a university program and a four-year bachelor’s degree. This provides students with the most versatile education and is, of course, the best option for those who wish to further their education with a master’s degree. The higher cost of tuition for a four-year university program is typically offset by the fact that university graduates tend to earn higher salaries.

Earning a bachelor’s can also offer students more options when it comes to choosing a major or for adding a minor to their degree. The wider range of choices may be of particular help to students who are not sure which path suits them best. Because of the overlap in areas of study, it is often possible for students to take courses from a variety of related disciplines before settling on the best choice for them.

Associate Degree
A two-year associate degree from a technical institute or trade school is an alternative way to learn how to become a computer programmer. This option reduces overall tuition fees and accelerates entry into the workforce.

Also different from a bachelor’s program, a technical institute curriculum focuses purely on computer programming training, without any additional courses outside of the major.

A four-year degree, by comparison, requires that students take additional general education courses in literature, history, and the arts. These supplementary courses result in a more well-rounded education and provide students with more career options, which can be valuable with possible career changes later in life.

In addition to the bachelor’s and associate degree options, aspiring computer programmers can opt to take one of two less rigid and self-paced educational tracks:

Online Degree
An online program gives students the freedom to fit their coursework into their schedule. This option is ideal for individuals who are also working full time while going to school. When pursuing an online degree it is vital to ensure that the selected school is accredited and will therefore be recognized by prospective employers.

Self-teaching
Tutorials, samples of code in different languages, and other free resources are available online. It is therefore possible to become a programmer by following an online how-to guide. Setting one’s own curriculum and learning at one’s own pace may be attractive to some students, but it is important to note that learning programming without the guidance of a teacher can be difficult and sometimes frustrating.

Computer programmers rank as moderately happy among careers. Overall they rank in the 56th percentile of careers for satisfaction scores. Please note that this number is derived from the data we have collected from our Sokanu members only.

The middling happiness quotient for programmers may be rooted in the misconception that the career is just about coding. Aspiring programmers who enter the field are likely to be disappointed if they fail to understand that the demands of the job of programming far surpass the appeal of the hobby of coding.

Based on our pool of users, computer programmers tend to be predominantly investigative people.

Not surprisingly, this prototypical characteristic is essential in each of the primary duties of computer programmers: troubleshooting problems associated with software installation and customization; using relevant methodologies, policies, and standards to develop secure code; and applying knowledge of networking concepts to deploy code.

There is one other necessary competency that is often forgotten by students considering programming as a career. It is not a particular programming language. It is the understanding of people and the ability to interact directly with users and non-technical personnel.

There are frequently times when programmers need to explain to others why they can or cannot do something. They need to offer solutions, take direction, take criticism, listen to arguments, make apologies, and accept apologies. Programmers who learn the skill of communicating and marry that with their technical skill are the ones that stand out and thrive.

There is, of course, more to computer programming than the act of coding. It is important for aspiring programmers to consider the entire picture. The happiest and most successful programmers quickly answer ‘Yes’ to each of the following questions, except the last one!

Do I possess experimental creativity?
There is no doubt that the work of a computer programmer calls for logic and deduction. But at its core, programming is a creative art. A new program is like a blank canvas and your paintbrushes are your languages, frameworks, and libraries. You are creating something out of nothing and this is a process that hinges on experimental fearlessness and tenacity.

There is not one singular way to write code. Without natural curiosity, you will develop tunnel vision and always approach coding problems from the same angle. Ultimately, this methodology reduces programming to a rote activity that is uninspiring and unrewarding.

Am I self-motivated?
Your motivation to write code has to come from within. If you don’t love the coding process and have a stake in it, you will never reach the objective, the product to be created. You have to understand and be able to appreciate that the fundamentally repetitive task of programming is, perhaps enigmatically, the path to a creative program.

Do I love logic problems?
Creating a program inevitably involves fixing or ‘debugging’ logic-based faults. Much of the reward in programming comes from fixing bugs. If you are naturally inquisitive about the inner workings of things; if you have an innate desire to repair that which is broken and find satisfaction in doing so, you probably possess one of the traits common in programmers.

Am I okay with sitting for long periods?
The nature of programming requires that programmers sit in front of a computer for extended lengths of time. All workers who are subject to this computer-related physical inactivity need to find ways to deal with inevitable unwanted distractions, cabin fever, and lapses in productivity. Perhaps most importantly, they have to pay attention to potential health issues that can arise from the sedentary aspect of the occupation.

Am I okay with working irregular hours?
Software development is a deadline-centric industry which does not always adhere to traditional nine-to-five workdays. As deadlines loom closer, coding teams often face ‘crunch time’ that may involve all-nighters. This is equally true for programmers who work for themselves as for those who work for someone else.

Another aspect of the occupation that prospective programmers do not typically consider is its pervasiveness. Programming problems or stumbling blocks tend to get stuck in programmers’ brains. They find themselves working through solutions even when they are not physically on the job. Simply put, computer programming can make compartmentalization very difficult.

Do I expect to get rich quickly?
Programmers who get rich quickly are the exception to the rule. While it is certainly possible to make a lot of money as a programmer, overnight success stories are rare and generally create unrealistic expectations.

If your answers to the questions above continue to point you toward a potential career in computer programming, now ask yourself if you have the traits and characteristics that programmers typically have:

Detail-oriented
In writing and debugging code, one misplaced character can cause a program to malfunction.

Critical thinker
Just as in the English language there are different ways to say the same thing, in programming there are various ways to approach a problem and achieve the same end result. Some ways are more efficient and elegant than others.

Focus and patience
Writing line after line of code for long periods of time or conducting multiple tests to evaluate the quality and performance of a program demands concentration and perseverance.

Active listening and communication skills
Because computer programmers are often required to design user interfaces and write code based on a client’s or employer’s needs and instructions, it is vital that they be active listeners and communicators.

Aspiring computer programmers should be encouraged by the fact that they can easily combine their interest in computer technology with affinity for another field. This is because in today’s world, essentially every company has to also be a software company.

Moving a product or service to market is powered by software. Therefore, almost every industry needs programmers. Opportunities exist in transportation, hospitality, finance, insurance, education, consumer electronics, sports, entertainment, all levels of government, the non-profit sector, and many other areas.

This wide spectrum of opportunity in the field suggests that the most successful programmers know how to communicate and collaborate. Because the world is increasingly complex and connected, programmers who can work in a lot of different contexts are better equipped to bring visions to life. This very marketable quality can only be developed with a dedication to lifelong learning.