What does a programmer do?
Computer programmers provide assistance and services concerning computer applications and software programs. A computer programmer must be highly-knowledgeable on programming languages and operating systems to create projects and fix any malfunctions under minimal supervision. Computer programmers must have excellent communication and critical-thinking skills to analyze data and request assistance from a senior programmer as needed. They must also be keen on details to oversee possible faulty codes, troubleshooting problems, and upgrading systems to ensure that the program will perform smoothly and efficiently.
Programmer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real programmer resumes:
- Create windows form application to manage flight and passenger information.
- Utilize Jenkins to automate the building and deploying of these software units.
- Implement a centralize configuration system for managing application settings, consisting of a desktop application with a WCF backend.
- Create and automate ETL package to import monthly utility data from several electric utilities using Perl, PHP, and PL/SQL.
- Convert PowerBuilder payroll applications into Java applications emphasizing user interface and customer requirements.
- Work directly with the project manager to implement advance HTML and JavaScript solutions design to accurately capture survey data.
- Maintain source code using SVN, CVS.
- Work all layers of the J2EE architecture: web, business, and DAO.
- Work with Telon, Endevor, Xpediter.
- Maintain version control via git on github.
- Use JIRA to keep track of defects and enhancement requests.
- Used technologies like AJAX for a rich UI experience and better performance.
- Create JUnit test cases with data mocking for unit testing application classes.
- Implement UI library that help create screens faster along with validations on the fields.
- Participate in daily scrum standups, sprint reviews, sprint planning, and sprint retrospectives.
Programmer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Programmers are proficient in Java, JavaScript, and CSS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Troubleshooting skills, Detail oriented, and Analytical skills.
We break down the percentage of Programmers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Java, 9%
Formulated an exchange information system in various synchronous processors by utilizing Java.
- JavaScript, 8%
Design and write Karma/Protractor automation in JavaScript for angular based web applications.
- CSS, 6%
Designed UI screens and code using Visual Studio 2010/12, MVC, AJAX and CSS with object oriented programming techniques.
- Object Oriented Programming, 6%
Learned effective Object Oriented Programming methods and implementation techniques using C++.
- Python, 5%
Implemented and instructed training program to turn non-programmers into valuable python engineers.
- Data Entry, 5%
Developed custom training manuals for each accounting module with step-by-step instructions that included screen-shots of pertinent data entry functions.
Most programmers use their skills in "java," "javascript," and "css" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential programmer responsibilities here:
Troubleshooting skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a programmer to have is troubleshooting skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "an important part of a programmer’s job is to check the code for errors and fix any they find." Programmers often use troubleshooting skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "performed troubleshooting of vba in access databases and sql logic as needed. "
Detail oriented. Many programmer duties rely on detail oriented. "computer programmers must closely examine the code they write because a small mistake can affect the entire computer program.," so a programmer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways programmer responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "object oriented programing and ui development web development using html, css and java script"
Analytical skills. programmers are also known for analytical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to programmer responsibilities, because "computer programmers must understand complex instructions in order to create computer code." A programmer resume example shows how analytical skills is used in the workplace: "created multiple vba macros to automate the importing and processing of excel spreadsheets as input for bmg's enterprise wide database. "
The three companies that hire the most programmers are:
- L3Harris46 programmers jobs
- ZeniMax Media23 programmers jobs
- Carollo Engineers22 programmers jobs
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Compare different programmers
Programmer vs. Web application developer
A web application developer is responsible for designing website and system applications following clients' specifications and business' needs. Web application developers utilize their expertise in programming languages and system codes, ensuring the efficiency and smooth navigation of the website. They also run multiple diagnostic tests on the output before release, identifying inconsistencies, and addressing incompatibilities on browsers and devices. A web application developer should be detail-oriented and highly-technical as this job requires excellent digital knowledge to manage complex systems.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between programmers and web application developer. For instance, programmer responsibilities require skills such as "data entry," "c," "c++," and "mvc." Whereas a web application developer is skilled in "database," "html css," "git," and "web forms." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Web application developers tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $88,928. In contrast, programmers make the biggest average salary, $86,815, in the finance industry.web application developers tend to reach similar levels of education than programmers. In fact, web application developers are 3.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Programmer vs. Applications developer
An application developer is responsible for creating program applications for devices based on clients' specifications and business needs. Application developers must have excellent knowledge of computer systems, as well as a strong command of programming languages to develop customized programs. Duties of an application developer also include running diagnostic tests to ensure the application's performance and stability, providing instruction manuals for reference, performing troubleshooting for any inconsistencies, upgrading design codes for optimization, and launching the application following the client's timetable.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, programmer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "python," "data entry," "c," and "microsoft sql server." Meanwhile, an applications developer has duties that require skills in areas such as "database," "regression," "scrum," and "sql server." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Applications developers earn a higher average salary than programmers. But applications developers earn the highest pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $103,905. Additionally, programmers earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $86,815 annually.In general, applications developers achieve higher levels of education than programmers. They're 5.6% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for programmers in the next 3-5 years?
Frank McCown Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Harding University
Programmer vs. Software design engineer
A software design engineer or SDE is part of a software development enterprise. Software design engineers determine the problems or issues and figure out how to establish programs to ease and automate the situations. They fabricate style sheets for the management of the individual aspects of huge engineering projects. It is their job to develop strategies for hardware architecture and software engineering. They also handle and mentor engineering interns for professional guidance.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from programmer resumes include skills like "javascript," "data entry," "pl/sql," and "microsoft sql server," whereas a software design engineer is more likely to list skills in "software development," "software design," "git," and "azure. "
Software design engineers make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $108,183. On the other hand, programmers are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $86,815.When it comes to education, software design engineers tend to earn higher degree levels compared to programmers. In fact, they're 8.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Programmer vs. Software developer
A software developer is responsible for designing application systems to support the user and business' needs. Duties of a software developer include testing software codes, performing diagnostic programs and troubleshooting, interpreting system data and establishing efficient parameters, and ensuring the compatibility of the systems. A software developer must have an excellent knowledge of computer programs and programming languages to understand its complexities, especially on detecting system defects and malfunctions. A software developer must have strong attention to detail, communication, and decision-making skills to coordinate with the team and also work independently under minimal supervision.
Types of programmer
Updated January 8, 2025
