Characteristics of successful programmers

¶ … Successful Programmer

The objective and focus of this work is to identify the success factors in the field of computer programming as a career. Toward this end this work will review what the experts reveal to be the keys to programming career success.

Eight Success Secrets: Merrion Computing Limited

Merrion Computing Limited reveals in the work entitled: "Eight Secrets of Successful Programmers" that the first and foremost key to programming career success is the realization that programming code is not for computer but rather for human consumption and this means "coding for clarity first, over efficiency and speed second." (Merrion Computing Limited, 2009, p.1) Secondly, it is stated that the programmer should 'comment often and comment well' and this means that the general practice of compilers of stripping comments for the executable program should be changed and the comments left in place in order to instruct the user of the program. Stated third is that the code should be in a layout form that increasing the legibility of the program. Stated fourth is that the programmer should 'expect the unexpected and deal with it' which includes prior to opening up a file ensuring that the file is present and so forth. Stated fifth is the need to name the variables and aid readability. The sixth success factor is keeping the functions and subroutines simple as "one of the greatest sources of misunderstandings...is a subroutine that does a number of different operations." (2009, p.1) It is stated that this should be divided into separate functions for each different task so that these can easily be used again and so that the code change is within a scope that is easily understood. The seventh stated success factor is the need to "scope functions and variables appropriately." (Merrion Computing Limited, 2009, p.1) The eighth and final success factor is stated as the need to never stop listening and learning." (Merrion Computing Limited, 2009, p.1) It is stated that the programmer should always be open for "new opinions and methodologies and to evaluate them in an impartial and rational way..." And this is stated to apply to the language choice, choice of operating system and the back end database and development methodology." (Merrion Computing, 2009, p.1)

II. Required Factors for Success

The work of Burleson (2004) entitled: "Conducting the Programmer Job Interview: The IT Manager Guide with Java, J2EE, C, C++, UNIX, PHP and Oracle Interview Questions" sheds light onto the factors that are required for success in the programmer's career through expressing precisely what qualities are desired by employers in programming professionals. The programmer's job role is stated it include responsibility "in areas that require design and architecture decisions." (Burleson, 2004, p. 21)

It is related that fraudulent in background and work history is common "with a defunct dot-come" and HR staff "tends to discount resumes with employment and educational history that cannot be completely verified." (Burleson, 2004, p.21) Therefore, it is clear that a quality education is the base that supports the structure that enables success in this career field and this includes "high achievement, intelligence, and a strong work ethic." (Burleson, 2004, p.21) Personal traits that are desirable in a programmer according to Burleson include self-confidence, curiosity, politeness, motivated, tenacity and a stickler for details.

III. Recognizing a Good Programmer

The work of Daniel Tenner entitled: "How to Recognize a Good Programmer" states that positive indicators that an individual is a good programmer include those as follows:

1. Passionate about technology

2. Programs as a hobby

3. Will talk your ear off on a technical subject if encouraged

4. Significant (and often numerous) personal side-projects over the years

5. Learns new technologies on his/her own

6. Opinionated about which technologies are better for various usages

7. Very uncomfortable about the idea of working with a technology he doesn't believe to be "right"

8. Clearly smart, can have great conversations on a variety of topics

9. Started programming long before university/work

10. Has some hidden "icebergs," large personal projects under the CV radar

11. Knowledge of a large variety of unrelated technologies (may not be on CV) (Tenner, 2008, p.1)

Tenner (2008) also lists negative indicators to watch for in the programmer which include those as follows:

1. Programming is a day job

2. Don't really want to "talk shop," even when encouraged to