Want to devote yourself to the world of computer science? Do you want to be a programmer? If you’re passionate about computer science and you want to know what makes a good computer programmer, in this article we’ll explain this to you. Carry on reading to find out what are the strengths and characteristics needed to make a good computer programmer.
Strengths of a computer programmer
You can work on and improve your strengths. With the combination of the practice and perseverance needed in any field, it’s possible to develop at the highest level. Nothing is impossible with a good attitude and appropriate training and advice.
List of characteristics of a good programmer
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Having sufficient knowledge
Good training is essential for any profession. And to be a computer programmer, it’s really important to have a well-crafted foundation. For this, you need to choose the right programming school to give you these basics, which will be of paramount importance.
Furthermore, once you’ve acquired the necessary knowledge through the training, it’s very likely that throughout the process you will acquire many more of the strengths that are listed here.
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Logic and knowing how to plan correctly
The work of a developer is based on projects, which are ordered and organised into small tasks. Having organisational and logical qualities is one of the most important characteristics of a good programmer.
It’s very important that, when you choose a school for programming, its methodology is project-orientated: if you learn to organise your work into small projects from the very beginning, you’re going to go far.
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Having patience and a sound mind
In programming it’s very important to be patient and have a clear mind, since unexpected events can arise, and you constantly have to resolve new conundrums that come about. The programmer who can solve them calmly and objectively is more efficient. If you have the patience in complicated or sensitive situations, you can carry out your tasks much more quickly and effectively.
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Creativity and a bit of imagination
When developing a project that requires programming, whether it’s an app, a programme, or a web page, you need to be creative. That is one the most important developer strengths. It’s essential to create and design surprising and useful things while maintaining a stylish look. In addition, it avoids possible blocks, which waste time, and hitting the brakes in moving in the right direction. At these times, it’s essential to be able to respond, either immediately or after some thought, so we can find the answer and see things from a different point of view.
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Being able to analyse
A good computer programmer should be able to analyse tasks or projects objectively, with a well-thought-out plan in mind. They need to have a good understanding of the issue that needs resolving, know which direction to take and what problems they may come across while carrying out the task. They should not only have a Plan A, but also a Plan B, and set out the next steps according to the results they got.
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Great adaptability and flexibility
The world of the developer and computer science is changing constantly. You may well carry out one task in a certain way, but by the end of the month, a different technology for carrying out the same task has appeared. Knowing how to adapt is fundamental, as is having solid tools for a world that is continuously changing.
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Knowing your limits
From the beginning, a computer programmer should know their own limits. To give a solution to a problem you need to be cautious, and not make suppositions based on your limits. It’s important to make sure you’re going in the right direction and leave aside the knowledge you have that’s unlikely to be the solution. As the programmer gains experience, they will learn where their limitations lie and how to find the resources to meet the project’s needs.
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Good communication skills
We’re in constant communication, but the language programmers use amongst themselves isn’t the same that you should use with a client or someone outside of programming.
To be able to communicate the problem that needs a process, in a way that’s clear and that another person who’s not in the same world can understand, may seem easy, but actually it’s not as easy as it looks.
Learn to express yourself correctly, know how to explain something with words that even an outsider can understand, whether they are your problems with the project, or how it’s going to be developed.
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Be passionate
In programming, being passionate and having fun working with technology and computer science is very important. If you enjoy the different programming and design processes, you can challenge yourself while carrying out your tasks, which will ultimately gain you better results. Without a doubt, working in programming means you will end up with a very strong feeling of belonging to this world, and enjoying your work.
How can Epitech help you become a good computer programmer?
At Epitech we are a computer science school. With our courses and degrees, you will learn how to develop all the characteristics of a good software developer. From the most basic, to becoming an expert in computer science. In addition, doing any of our training courses will give you the skills you need to be the computer science programmer that companies look for.
Contact us for more information or if you want to do one of our training courses.
