The IT industry and the work of a programmer are highly popular, providing vast opportunities not only for people who have been involved with coding from a young age but also for those looking to transition into the field and become a programmer.
This article is dedicated to explaining the job of a programmer, answering what the work of a programmer entails, how it varies from company to company, and how it changes based on experience.
It's important to note that the work of a programmer can look quite different depending on the company because every organization operates in its own unique way. However, the general scope of tasks and responsibilities for similar positions is comparable, which is why I want to give you an insider's perspective on how it typically looks "behind the curtain."
I remember being very curious about what a programmer's job really involves when I was learning to code. I heard various stories, and luckily, the negative ones were mostly exaggerated. I'm glad I wasn't discouraged by people who didn't fully understand the reality.
On the other hand, my experience is relatively short, as I've only been working as a programmer since February 2022. However, I've worked at three companies, met many people, and am now sharing what it's like from my perspective at this stage. I'll likely update this in the future, reflecting on years or even decades of experience, so you can see how my views evolve.
What Does a Programmer Do?
If I had to answer this in one sentence, I’d say it's solving problems, writing code, testing code, fixing bugs, documenting code, collaborating with others, and more.
However, I’ll describe these areas in more detail because the tasks often overlap and intertwine at many levels, so I’ll approach the topic more generally.
At a basic level, a programmer's job involves creating software. However, the process of writing code includes many smaller tasks, and these are equally important—sometimes even more so than the actual coding phase.
Keep in mind that before any project begins and before writing the first line of code, there’s usually a planning phase, both for the software’s architecture and for specific applications or projects. This is a crucial step because future steps depend on the concepts and assumptions made here.
If you make significant mistakes at this stage, these errors will resurface later in the project, possibly leading to the need for drastic changes.
I won’t dive into the business aspects of software architecture and other critical elements here, as you’re likely more interested in the day-to-day life of a programmer.
Project Management
Depending on the company, you'll encounter different project management approaches. If you join a company with fewer than 30-50 employees (which is where I’ve worked so far), they might use Agile project management, such as two-week sprints.
For instance, at the beginning of the month, there might be a meeting of team leads and managers to set the sprint goals. The overall project vision is always in the back of everyone’s mind, but to make things easier, that vision is broken down into smaller, more manageable tasks.
Depending on the team structure, you’ll either get tasks directly from your manager, or your team leader will break the tasks down and distribute them among the team members.
The goal is always to ensure that the sprint objectives are met, but this process is flexible. Unlike production work, coding isn’t always easy to estimate because the complexity of tasks can vary.
Sometimes, seemingly simple tasks can take longer than more complex ones, which can end up being easier to accomplish.
Once the tasks are divided, you’ll start working on them, often using a task management system like ClickUp, where you can keep track of your current tasks.
If your task requires collaboration or you're new and have a more experienced programmer mentoring you, they’ll guide you and be available to help when needed.
Writing Code and Problem Solving
Most often, you'll be given a specific problem or feature to implement. As a junior developer, these will typically be smaller tasks so you can handle them, and over time, you’ll get more challenging assignments.
When you receive a task, the first step is to fully understand the problem and what needs to be done. It’s essential to confirm your understanding so you’re not heading in the wrong direction.
Once you're clear on the task, break it down into smaller steps that will help you achieve the final goal or solve the issue.
From here, you’ll write the necessary code to implement or fix something, and you’ll periodically commit and push updates to a version control system like GitHub. Best practices include making frequent commits, ensuring each version you commit is stable and functional.
Testing Code
Testing is an integral part of programming. Depending on the company, you may be responsible for testing your own code, or a team of testers will take over and report any issues back to you for debugging.
Debugging
Debugging is all about finding and fixing bugs to make sure everything works correctly. There’s no rule about when bugs will show up—they can appear at any time and may require immediate attention.
Writing Documentation
Since you’re the author of your code, you're often the best person to explain what it does. This helps future developers understand how things work, and documentation is key to ensuring the smooth onboarding of new team members.
Collaboration and Meetings
As you gain more experience, you’ll find yourself spending more time in meetings and taking on responsibilities beyond coding—things like reviewing others’ code, planning architectures, setting goals, and breaking down work into manageable tasks.
More experienced developers are typically involved in higher-level tasks like this, while juniors focus more on writing and testing code.
Does a Programmer’s Job Look the Same Everywhere?
Not at all. The work of a programmer can differ greatly depending on the company’s size, type, and culture.
For example, at a startup, you may have a broader range of responsibilities, working on different things simultaneously. On the other hand, in a large company, you might be more specialized, focusing on one product or area.
Tools, technologies, and daily tasks can vary greatly from company to company, and even day-to-day, you could be working on anything from developing new features to fixing bugs.
How Does a Programmer’s Work Change with Experience?
The work of a programmer generally evolves with experience. While juniors focus on smaller tasks, fixing bugs, or implementing simple features, senior developers take on more complex responsibilities like designing software architecture, working with clients, or mentoring less experienced team members.
With experience, you'll also get more involved in decision-making and the overall direction of projects, depending on the path you choose—whether it’s becoming a technical specialist or taking on leadership roles.
Conclusion
This article gives you a glimpse into the key aspects of a programmer's job, how responsibilities change over time, and how different companies and projects can affect your day-to-day work.
Keep in mind that this is based on my experiences and the stories of others, so your journey may look slightly different!
