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| 10 Things a Professional Programmer Does | https://javascript.plainenglish.io/10-things-a-professional-programmer-does-47d6544d06ce |
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2024-08-16 | 2024-10-29 | Programming is a very demanding activity. Computer science and programming not only imply having a series of technical knowledge, but also need to be made of “special stuff”. Programming is a… |
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Programming
Anyone who wants to be a programmer should take them into account.
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Photo by Adrian Curiel on Unsplash
Programming is a very demanding activity. Computer science and programming not only imply having a series of technical knowledge, but also need to be made of “special stuff”.
Programming is a constant challenge. Many people want to get started in this sector without knowing what a professional programmer does. These people are unaware of or have the wrong idea about the programming world.
Programming does not have the same structure as trigonometry or mathematics, as strange as it may seem, learning to program has more to do with what it means to learn a language.
This analogy concerns the fact that programming, like learning a new language, involves challenges and problems that require logic.
Programming is based on structuring solutions to solve certain problems. In this sense, a poorly implemented solution can lead to the appearance of new problems, which is why the testing phase is important.
In this sense, it must be said that a theoretical programmer is not a good programmer; good programmers are practical programmers, those who “get down to business” and are always investigating new ways to solve problems.
In this article, I will discuss 10 important aspects that a good programmer should know to grow within this technological profession. Anyone who wants to be a programmer should take these things into account.
1. Schedule
One of the things a programmer does is program. Well, this may seem obvious, but it is not so. In relation to this, it must be said that some programmers believe that by using the “formula” of copying and pasting code to solve problems, one can learn to be a good programmer. It is true that one can also learn this way; however, to be a “top” programmer, one must program. This is, without a doubt, the best way.
2. Feedback in communication
Feedback is a fluid communication channel several interlocutors use; managing this feedback is essential in the programming profession.
Feedback is always important in any professional field, but it is especially important in programming because for work to be carried out on time and in the correct manner, it is vital that there is fluid communication between development teams and other departments if you work as a team.
If this communication is not adequate, the work's results can be seriously compromised, and the consequences for the client can be disastrous.
Without a doubt, one of the most important aspects for a programmer to be considered a professional is to have constant and fluid communication, not only with his work team, but also with the clients of his application.
3. Go to reliable sources of information
This is another thing that a programmer does that may seem surprising. A good programmer must, above all, seek productivity in his activity, so spending too much time thinking about the next step is not an option.
It is important to know that even a very good programmer does not have the answers to all questions, so it is important to investigate and ask qualified people if necessary.
When asking questions, it is very important to go to reliable sources of information. A good tool for accessing reliable information is the programming communities on the Internet.
4. Read documentation
One of the most important tasks a programmer performs is reading the documentation. Knowing the language well is essential for programming fluently and efficiently. When a systems programmer reads the documentation, he can control the entire project.
You have to be aware that each language has its own particularities. It is important to know different variables such as the available versions or the parameters they receive, which is why it is so important to read the documentation.
5. Quick reading and comprehension
An increasing number of people are interested in developing a professional activity in computing and programming. This is undoubtedly a growing sector that offers good opportunities.
However, we must be aware that although everything can be achieved with determination and hard work, the truth is that in order to develop a professional career in this field, it is very useful to have aptitudes for logical thinking.
For a programmer to perform his job efficiently, he needs to have the skills to read and understand quickly. If he has these skills, his productivity can stay high, compromising the development of the projects he is involved in.
6. Have a passion
If your primary reason for pursuing a long-term career as a programmer is to make money, you are unlikely to achieve the goals you set for yourself.
The programming profession is a vocation; to be good at it, you have to enjoy what you are doing and your progress. In this respect, being a programmer is no different than any other professional activity, in the sense that the more you like and enjoy your work, the better you will be.
This passion in the programming world translates into three words: thirst for knowledge.
Having the desire to learn good things is what will make the difference between a good programmer and a mediocre programmer; curiosity is what will determine a programmer's growth.
Discovering new methodologies and tools to solve problems provides the programmer with a qualitative leap in his skills; in this sense, learning new technologies and programming languages is vital.
7. Know different programming languages
To explain this point, I will make an analogy: in the same way that knowing several languages amplifies neural connections and provides better handling in the language area, learning several programming languages produces the same effect.
Mastering several programming languages gives programmers better tools for confidently addressing all types of situations.
It is also important to know that knowledge of several programming languages considerably increases job opportunities.
8. Do version control
A good programmer knows that version control should not be overlooked, which should be the case when working with any version control system, regardless of whether it is one or the other.
Knowing how to work according to a branching model will allow the programmer to execute changes safely, whether alone or with a team.
9. The importance of testing
Another thing that a programmer does is to perform tests. The importance of this point lies in the fact that the code, contrary to what it may seem, is not perfect; one must be aware that it can fail.
That is why it is vital to program tests, especially in the application's growth phase. By doing tests, the code is much more controlled and structured, and this is undoubtedly one of the most efficient ways to avoid problems later on.
10. Provide ongoing training
One of the most important things a programmer does is continuously train himself. The technology sector is characterized by continuous changes and improvements, so an updated programmer is a good programmer.
A professional programmer needs to reach a certain level of knowledge and then call it a day. A good programmer is always looking for new developments in the programming world. The programmer has a “nonconformist soul” and knows that continuous learning and updating knowledge is inherent to his profession.
For all these reasons, you can trust your ideas, and development needs zero ideas.