Finally, programmers take the stage. In this article, we will discuss their tasks and the qualities that make them successful.
Once the software architecture is ready, the programmer team leader gets involved in the process. Together, they outline a plan for project execution based on the project’s logic. For example, you cannot create a front-end without having a database to retrieve data from.
Just like laying the foundations when building a structure, there is a logical sequence of actions in software development. The team leader is responsible for creating an execution plan over time and ensures that the plan is implemented to the extent possible. They decide how many teams of programmers will work, determine the time and scope of their work, and create a timeline for each step of software development. These timelines are crucial for both planning the software development itself and estimating the program’s cost.
Lastly, the programmer team leader divides the big task into smaller ones, distributing them among programmers based on their experience and skill levels. Junior programmers receive easier tasks, while senior programmers handle the most challenging ones. Periodic meetings are held to keep the teams informed about task progress.
Programmers
With their work, the coding process begins. Programmers must translate the architecture into the “machine language” to fulfill the initial client specifications.
When it comes to a programmer’s task, whether junior or experienced, everything must be predefined. Their job is not to think about problem-solving methods (choosing how to calculate interest, for example) but to create source code that clearly instructs the machine on what to do.
Programmers need to sit down and describe their solution in the best possible way, writing well-organized code with comments that are easily understandable to others. Writing code this way ensures its longevity and usefulness for many years.
Its enrichment, editing, and reuse become easy and contribute to the team’s effectiveness. There are programs that live for decades. It’s always good to think that software can be used for a long time and how it will be maintained. Therefore, the code is written according to this rule.
Development Methods
There are different development methods, but in general, each programmer is given a piece of the whole to “code.” They then check how it works on its own and ensure it functions seamlessly with other pieces written by fellow programmers.
This is why teams gather frequently to discuss individual progress and keep everyone informed about the overall project. These meetings are crucial for the success of each individual and the creation of a high-quality final software product.
If teamwork is not at its best, the desired result will not be achieved. Therefore, essential skills for successful programmers, besides using a programming language, include:
- The ability to present their work.
- Explaining their work to the team and their supervisor.
- Understanding the work done by others.
- Adapting to others and meeting deadlines to avoid delaying and confusing the team’s work.
In the development stage, the ability to work in a team is highly valued and necessary for every programmer, whether junior or senior.
Junior Programmers
They are usually not expected to have expert knowledge. Junior programmers are individuals with little or moderate experience. They need to listen to the advice of programmers and senior programmers.
To climb the hierarchy, one must accumulate experience over 1-2 years. Accumulating experience is inevitably linked to making mistakes, and that is perfectly normal.
To become a programmer, a junior must make a certain number of typical mistakes, learn from them, participate in 1-2 projects, see how programming is done, have bugs pointed out, and fix them. This is gaining experience in programming.
The programmer’s profession can be viewed as a craft – it has degrees determined by experience and mastery: apprentice, journeyman, and master. How does the apprentice know when they have become a journeyman? When the junior programmer has reached a certain level, they start receiving more complex tasks, and naturally, this is reflected in their remuneration.
Senior Programmers
These are virtuosos who master coding to perfection. They can handle even the most challenging tasks, are highly paid, and in high demand. Becoming a senior comes after years of experience and continuous knowledge enhancement, hard work, and a lot of learning.
To truly be a good and sought-after programmer, one must continuously strive for development, learn new programming languages, new constructs, and optimal ways to perform tasks in the best possible way.
If you want to become a programmer and grow successfully in the company hierarchy, you must first undergo a lengthy training process. You can apply for our Junior Programmer profession courses, which will prepare you with the necessary knowledge for the profession. If you successfully pass the entrance tests, your training will be free, and your career will start at CODIX – one of the world leaders in financial software development.