What does being a “Programmer” really means?

Are you a web developer, coder, software engineer or a programmer?

How many languages you need to learn to become a programmer? Or Does it really matter?

But what does being a “Programmer” really means?

A programmer, developer, dev, coder, or software engineer is a person who creates computer software. The term computer programmer can refer to a specialist in one area of computers or to a generalist who writes code for many kinds of software. One who practices or professes a formal approach to programming may also be known as a programmer analyst. — wikipedia

Take note of the word “create”. It’s very important!

I have been in the software industry for over 10 years now. I write code, I do networking stuff, I do software architecture and a lot of other geeky stuff (Except playing games online). So, am I a programmer?

A lot of people that I encountered in the industry who knows how to write code pride themselves as “Programmer” (quotes and quotes).. :-), While other’s find it offensive. Java, C# (Any other Microsoft technologies) those who usually wear sleeves, shiny shoes and ties call themselves “Software Engineer”. They’re the ones that get’s offended when you call them programmer by the way ( Mostly… :-) ). While Javascript, Hackers, DevOps and PHP almost, they are the hipsters. They don’t mind however you address them. They usually wear shorts and slippers inside the office. It’s kind of funny… :-). But if you think of it, the software industry have a whole different culture of it’s own depending on what language and the type of job you’re in. It’s almost like a different world.

Programming is just a tool. Right? You know what I mean.

But if you don’t know that, you better think twice.

Programming is the process of writing computer programs (according to wikipedia).

But there’s more to that, programming allows you to express your self, allows you to create something and it allows you to innovate. To me, being a Programmer does not require that you know how to write code. Writing code is easy (there’s bunch of them if you ask mr.google), it’s like a block of lego that you put together to come up with something. But the Programmer itself is the one who decide what to create and how to make it. Programmers are artist, Programming is the verb (like Drawing) and there different brushes and colors are the languages, their canvas are the web, desktop and mobile. There are new canvas available in stores by the way AR, VR and AI/ML.

These different ways of expressing ideas and how they want to build it creates a very unique culture within the Software Industry.

If you haven’t notice it yet, try to look at any startup companies (even the big guys, like facebook or google for example) that has a founder with a programming background. Most of them stops writing code to guide their team to help create their dreams. Other hires CEO so they can focus on the CTO role. They literarily stops coding. Why is that?

So what does being a “Programmer” really means?

It means that you do not need to know how to write code for you to be one. You’re a programmer if you express your ideas, create something tangible, and innovate it into something you imagine it to be through programming.

Finally! Let me know what a programmer means to you in the comment. I would be glad to know about your thoughts, too!