Whether you’re starting your car, streaming your favorite show, or even ordering takeout, computers are the tools making it happen. And, at the heart of every computer, there is a program making sure everything you want to do, watch, or experience, happens without a hitch. If that doesn’t already sound amazing, can you imagine building a career out of all of it? That’s right! You can make a rewarding career out of computer programming and join a tech industry that’s rapidly growing. So, let’s decipher what computer programming is and what it takes to make a successful career out of it.
Where It All Started
Many historians agree the first published computer program was created in the 19th century by English mathematician, writer, and countess, Ada Lovelace. Through her studies of English mathematician Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, which was a proposed general-purpose computer, Lovelace recognized that computers could be capable of many more applications than just calculation. This led her to writing and publishing the first algorithm for a machine of this nature which, in turn, made her the first-ever computer programmer. As time and technology continued to advance, computers became less rudimentary and highly complex. This progress led us all the way to computer programming as we know it today.
Computer programming, or coding, is essentially the process of creating instructions for computers to follow. A computer programmer makes those instructions using a programming language and the computer turns them into actions, solutions, features, or any other computing outcomes. Computer programmers devote their careers to learning these programming languages so they can create computer programs in more efficient and functional ways.
What Makes a Great Computer Programmer?
As you can imagine, computer programmers are highly skilled professionals. Their job is to maintain the instructions they create through a very involved process that begins with the conceptualization of a program, its creation, a testing process, and solving any issues that may appear. These tasks are crucial in software development and require a set of skills that every computer programmer should possess.
Even some of the newest tech companies out there have sizable teams dedicated to propelling their efforts forward. This means computer programmers must be able to work effectively with their teams. This, of course, involves great communication and listening skills. As you can imagine, problems with a project can arise out of nowhere. When they do, the best computer programmers remain calm and demonstrate composure and perseverance.