Feb 01, 2023
by Humera

How does one become a competent programmer? Asking yourself and the people around you this question will help you think about the craft of software development. Although coding is a necessary skill for developers to master, there is much more to becoming a successful programmer than just knowing how to write code. Is programming challenging if you want to get into it? You may be thinking

The quick response is no. Yet what can turn you into a fantastic programmer?

If you are knowledgeable about the newest frameworks and programming languages, that's fantastic! You are proficient in the technical knowledge required to build excellent code. However, having strong technical skills isn't an essential requirement for a successful job as a programmer. You must have a variety of skills required to execute the job—and do it well—in order to truly stand out. The following is a list of various characteristics that exceptional programmers possess:

1- Dedicated 

While some developers are content to be clock watchers or "nine-to-fivers," most recruiting managers are interested in bringing on a developer who can work long hours when necessary. Great programmers are self-described "computer freaks" who spend their precious free time creating servers and programs, playing video games, or mending hardware for their friends or themselves. This tendency isn't necessary, but it's usually a method to tell the top programmers apart from the rest.

2- Flexibility

For a variety of reasons, projects and priorities change; therefore, developers must be able to context-switch to concentrate on what is most important at the moment. Changes might be minor and transient or significant and long-lasting. If the situation is temporary, they make thorough notes so they can return to their regular job when things settle down. If the changes are long-term, they give time to comprehend the new circumstances and fit into them. It could provide programmers with fresh chances to advance their objectives. In any event, it's important to reply diplomatically and restrain emotions. A developer is required to swiftly and effectively identify the cause of a code issue when it arises. Instead of spending hours trying to figure out the reason, seek out a programmer who likes to meticulously review their code and hunt for probable defects until the problem is located.

3- Act as a team member

While students often work alone on assignments and the media sometimes celebrate lone coders, real-world initiatives are collaborative endeavors. It's critical for engineers to get along with their coworkers. They must be able to interact with individuals of various capacities and politely address differences in opinion. If they can, get to know their colleagues on a personal level as well as professionally. Talking about topics other than the project fosters connections that make collaboration easier.

4- Maintain a wide angle

While mastering one technology in particular is beneficial, issues in the real world can never be addressed with only one technology. Even if they are hired as a specialist, they must know how your technology interacts with the other software, hardware, and network components that make up the application's ecosystem. They'll also be able to help out with their project in a number of different ways, wherever help is needed.

5- Critical thinking

The process of creating apps is not simple. It takes puzzle-solving abilities, the conviction that there is always a solution, and the persistence to find that answer in order to figure out why code isn't compiling, what's generating defects, and how to resolve production issues. It's preferable if you can fix problems under pressure since management will be watching you closely as you figure anything out while the system is down.

Programmers who are successful are exceptional self-learners. They are not overburdened by new issues and are capable of independently learning new technology. For developers and programmers who have never attempted to create an application from scratch, coding can best be compared to solving a challenging arithmetic problem. A brilliant developer thrives on being inventive and coming up with ways to make a piece of code work, no matter the circumstances.

6- Meet the deadlines

Like other professionals, the majority of programmers and coders do projects under time constraints. Managers must be aware of the turnaround time for developing new software or fixing an existing one, but developers must also adhere strictly to deadlines when developing new software or fixing an existing one. When setting project deadlines, the finest project managers will consult with their developers, although occasionally unexpected variables determine the timetable. In either case, if they've agreed to complete a task, try their best to finish it by the deadline, even if that necessitates staying up late a few times. They are showing that they are committed to finishing the project and recognize its importance to the company, which can impress others at work.

7- Embrace learning

Technology is ever-evolving. To be able to participate in prospective projects, they must always be learning new abilities and building up their knowledge. The finest developers take the time to study on their own; however, their businesses may offer ongoing training. Keeping up with the most recent technological advancements makes it easier to stay on top of things. Discover their area of expertise. Read a lot of blogs on programming and the most recent technological developments, experiment with learning new programming languages in spare time, join various programming communities, go to conferences and webinars, and contribute to the community by writing and instructing others.

8- Self confidence

A system can never be constructed in a single manner. No matter how excellent their ideas are, if they keep them to themselves, they won't be worth anything. The most talented programmers speak up during design talks to contribute to the development of the application architecture. Instead of suggesting a whole application overhaul, start with a little recommendation to increase their confidence.

9- Must be a product owner

If programmers write code that passes its test cases and compiles neatly, their work may technically be finished. Make themselves stand out by assisting with testing, deployment, user training, and troubleshooting during the rest of its lifecycle. While this benefits the company, it actually benefits them more because they can see and comprehend how effective the code they built is in the real world. Take that knowledge and use it to improve their subsequent applications.

10- Strong communication techniques

Being a developer involves more than just using technology. To learn what they require from the application, business users must be consulted by developers. Writing clearly is vital for developers because they frequently need to produce technical documents, even if it's only a status report. Excellent coding abilities are intimately related to effective communication. A skilled programmer can analyze problems more thoroughly, deconstruct them into smaller ones, and methodically suggest fixes. Programmers don't need to have everything written down since they comprehend things quickly and clearly, or by asking the proper questions.

11- Participates in business

Businesses employ technology to address their issues. The more they know about the operations of their firm, the better equipped they are to comprehend their issues and provide remedies that foster their expansion. If programmers have the chance to speak with business users, do so and inquire about the difficulties they have at work. If they have a serious interest in business, they may enroll in classes or even pursue business-related certificates.

12- Effective at handling constraints

Whether it be a matter of time or money, every project or function faces several challenges. Effective coding in terms of complexity in both time and space is a skill that a skilled developer has. Since money is often a key factor in projects, a smart programmer should make software applications with fewer resources.

A skilled programmer may create software that complies with all of the customer's limits as well as the specifications provided by the client. The created software must be cost-efficient and elegant, as well as validated, optimized, extendable, and reusable. Their techniques and tools would only be a means of achieving this objective!

Final thoughts

Successful programmers possess a variety of character qualities that set them apart and elevate them above other programmers. It is more difficult to find a talented programmer for the position you are looking for due to a talent shortage. Fortunately, there are many excellent (and free) resources available to you to aid in your quest to improve as a programmer. Skilled programmers are in high demand because they want to work on interesting projects. Your business requires an innovative product and a welcoming culture if you want to attract the best talent to work with you. While many businesses continue to follow tradition and provide competitive pay packages (wage plus equity plus perks), others are looking at new outsourcing models that allow them to recruit software engineers as needed.