What Do Coders Do All Day?
Computer programmers are an integral part of the modern workforce. Without them, many companies would not exist or operate efficiently. As a result, computer programmers typically have high salaries and enjoy various benefits that few other professionals can afford to provide for themselves. However, what exactly do coders do during their day at work?
Computer programmers work on designing, testing, and developing computer software to ensure reliability and security. Their daily work can vary from mobile apps, video games, programming websites, and developing operating systems. There are other activities that coders are responsible for daily.
In this article, we will share with you exactly what a coder does all day long while they are at work. We’ll also let you know what you need to do to become a coder in the competitive industry of programming.
Do Programmers Code All Day?
Coding can take a lot of focus and attention to detail because any small mistake can cause the entire program to stop working. This requires a lot of responsibility from the coder, but luckily this isn’t their only task.
Programmers spend a majority of their time coding programs and software throughout the day, but they also spend their time in other areas like:
- Discussing with colleagues
- Reading new information
- Testing previous programs
- Communicating about projects with the team
When working on a programming team, it’s typical for the programmer’s role to evolve as different skillsets and duties are added to their list of responsibilities. This helps programmers develop as individuals and make sure the business is operating efficiently.
Junior coders often work on tasks that are less about solving complex problems and more about following specific directions–a process called automating. These tasks don’t have as big of a potential to cause havoc in an existing system, so junior coders can learn without severe consequences.
As coders progress in their careers, they take on larger jobs like working as the lead developer for a new project or specialize in a certain area like security. The higher the position, the less coding work is being done. This is because senior coders can outsource their coding work to junior coders while focusing on larger system thinking.
How Many Hours Do Coders Work?
Programmers can make a pretty penny. For example, the top coders in Silicon Valley would earn anywhere from $85k to over $100k a year, not including bonuses and equity packages.
Beginning coders usually work around 40 hours a week, but that number can easily reach 50 hours depending on the type of job and company. More senior positions in the industry will need to spend even more time in the office because of the responsibilities involved.
Developers will be able to use the skills they acquire for decades as programming languages are relatively stable (compared to industries like fashion). This means once they finally catch on, programmers should have enough skills that it’ll take years before they’d need much training at all if something changed with the latest programming language or technique.
Both urban and suburban areas offer an abundance of programming jobs so there are plenty of opportunities available near your location, meaning you’re not limited to just the big tech hubs like Silicon Valley.
How Do I Become a Coder?
Coders don’t just immediately step into their position with any old degree. You have to follow a specific career path if you want to start making the big bucks that coders do.
You can become a coder by majoring in computer science or a similar subject at a college or university. In theory, this should give students access to all they need to get started working in IT full-time after graduation. But it’s no guarantee.
The other method is to start self-learning how to code using a free website and build your skills while you are at your current job. When you start gaining more knowledge, you can start taking on clients for the first time to get professional work. The more you build your portfolio, the more confidence you will have to apply to positions that need programmers.
Programmers are needed in most major cities, but you can find a programming job almost anywhere. Your age, the type of work you’re looking for, the location you want to move to, what level of education you have, and which coding languages (or other skills) you already have will be the determining factors to finding a position.
There are plenty of people with degrees who find themselves out-of-work because demand exceeds supply, and companies prefer someone who has skills without having invested time and money training them.
To make yourself indispensable and a major part of any team, continue to work hard every day and continue to learn about new techniques or methods that could help position you as an expert in your field. The more impact you can provide for a company, the more value they will attribute to your position.
How Many Hours Should I Spend Coding to Become a Coder?
Getting clear on what your goals are will be your first step to understanding how much time needs to be spent coding. If you want the personal recognition of being seen as a coder without the job or accolades, it will take less time than if you needed to impress a boss with your skills.
You should spend about 15 to 30 minutes each day if you want to learn how to code. If you do not have any background in coding and want to land a development job within the next year, you should spend about 8-10 hours each day coding.
It takes time and determination to learn how to code – it’s not something that anyone can teach themselves overnight. It takes practice and persistence. As with any skill learned in life, there are always opportunities for self-teaching by scavenging through the internet and reading books from authors who have researched proven methods for learning new skills quickly.
It is never too late to take coding classes at a university or community college if you are looking for other people your age to learn from. This can also be helpful because it provides a structure for your learning and gives you a reason to keep going.
You don’t want to overwhelm yourself with too much information if you are just starting. Forgetting what you learned is just as bad as not getting started. Give yourself time to learn the material and fully understand it before moving on to a different topic.
On the other hand, if you have a serious goal you are trying to meet quickly, you need to be motivated and determined if you want to succeed. Make sure to give yourself breaks from time to time so that the pressure doesn’t cause you to quit.
How Much Do Coders Make?
Technology has been implemented in almost every aspect of our lives, causing the need for programmers to skyrocket. The salary of coders has reflected this high demand and caused them to be very highly paid.
Most coders make a median of $63K. But because there’s a lot of demand for skilled coders these days, many companies are willing to pay more than twice the average coding salary to find qualified employees.
Coders are responsible for developing computer software programs that allow users to do tasks on a computer or another device without needing technical knowledge themselves. This includes things like website design and editing pictures in photo editing software.
They typically need some training for their skillset, and they have a good understanding of how computers work, as well as logic and scientific techniques like math, statistics, or programming languages. All this goes into making sure the code is efficient yet not complicated so it can be shared easily across the internet.
Beginner coders will make lower than the average to start, but the ceiling can be very high as they progress through their careers.
Not only do coders make a high salary but they are also given all kinds of incentives to join a company. These incentives have only increased the more that the demand for coders has increased.
What Benefits Do Coders Have?
Coders can enjoy a range of benefits from their jobs including:
- Health and dental care or insurance coverage.
- Retirement plan with matching contributions.
- Paid time off, including vacation leave, sick days, and personal days.
- Free onsite gym membership at some companies. These are called “wellness programs.” They encourage employees to stay healthy and they also give a company an advantage in the competition for new talent.
- Numerous professional development opportunities including training and educational sessions.
- Tuition reimbursement or assistance with funding to go back to school or complete their education degree, if it’s not already completed.
- Employee stock purchase plan that can offer discounted shares of the company as well as profit sharing.
- Company credit card with a set limit for spending money that can be drawn from each pay period or at the end of the year.
- Numerous other benefits, including company-sponsored events like picnics and holiday parties, discounts on services offered by vendors to employees, and more depending on specific company policies.
These are only a few examples, but each company will work diligently to figure out exactly what perks make programmers choose one company over another.
Where Do Programmers Work?
Programmers have the luxury of being highly sought after so their choice on where they work can vary greatly. Some companies will even work with programmers if they don’t like the option that’s being given in a job interview.
There is still a portion of coders who work in an office but the majority of coders work from home. Coders who work from home will still have to visit buildings to connect and maintain networks or check-in with their team members from time to time.
Now that startup culture has created many new small businesses, coders have an opportunity to work in a more casual environment. For the younger generation, working from home may be preferable because they have much easier access to friends and family.
Programmers also work remotely sometimes so that they can make their office space fit wherever it needs to be for them at any given time. They don’t have to worry about traffic or other geographical factors.
Coders who work at an office are usually in a higher-level position where they are required to take on more responsibilities and need to be closer to other management team members.
Getting hired for a business is not the only way programmers can find work. They can also freelance their skills and work under contract for a variety of entrepreneurs or small businesses.
How Difficult Is Coding?
Coding is a bit like math because it often relies on complex logical and mathematical problem-solving skills. But coding is also different from math, in that coders don’t really know the answer they’re shooting for; instead, they are more likely to be developing a program that will calculate the answer a human doesn’t know.
Coding can be very difficult without having an extensive background in computers. Coding requires an understanding of how computers work in order to create programs. A coder won’t know how to take user inputs and translate the information for the computer without this knowledge.
Computer programmers use programming languages, which are sets of rules that govern how computers behave and process information. The most common language today is called Java, but there are many others that coders can choose from as well, such as C, C++, Ruby, and Python.
Anyone has the potential to dedicate themselves to learning coding and can carve out a good career. You have to stay dedicated and motivated to achieve your results in order to get there.
Coders Do More Than Code All Day
Sure, coders definitely code while they are working throughout the day but they also do a lot more than that. Senior coders have responsibilities to test and strategize systems and operations for getting the coding accomplished. Coders also learn new technology and read the latest programming news to stay relevant in the field.
Sources:
https://www.daxx.com/blog/development-trends/average-engineer-salary-silicon-valley