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What is a Computer Programmer?

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Talent.com talent.com
Answered September 22 2021
Career Expert at Talent.com
There are two basic types of Programmers: application Programmers and systems Programmers. Application Programmers create software and applications and adapt the software to fit certain requirements or a specific context. System Programmers create operating systems and consider how different applications interact and work within a computer or smartphone. 

Computer Programmers create applications and programs that people can work on. They take the foundations and possibilities of existing software and use it to create an interface that all users can perform. The use of these programs can be for business or leisure. Most Computer Programmers specialize in a specific market niche, meaning they will create programs that serve a particular use, such as accounting software, mobile applications, games, or graphic design software.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most Computer Programmers work in the tech industry (38%). However, they can also work in finance, manufacturing, or be self-employed workers who take on freelance contracts. There are many avenues open to you once you decide to work in this exciting field. Many Programmers also work from home, as writing code can easily be done remotely. 

Personality of a Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers are detail-oriented people who like working in structured environments. Other personality traits that can make you a successful Computer Programmer are: 
  • Analytical skills
Programmers like thinking through a problem carefully. They should understand complex instructions and have the analytical ability to translate those instructions into code. 
  • Concentration skills
Writing code all day can be mentally taxing. Computer Programmers need to have excellent concentration skills to write clean code and find potential bugs. 
  • Patience
Learning how to code, finding errors in code, and writing code can be frustrating. You need to be patient with yourself and your work to find solutions and develop familiarity with the programming language. 
  • Creativity
Programmers are natural problem-solvers. They try and create solutions to make their software better and to improve user experience. Sometimes this requires creativity and approaching problems from an unexpected angle. 
Easteregg!