What Do Programmers Do, Anyway?

Computer programmers design, develop and test software and ensure software adheres to best practices in performance, reliability and security. Computer programmers can work developing mobile applications, coding video games, programming websites and much more.

Alexa Gustavsen

Apr 6, 2021

 

 

 

Study Programming

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This article was updated on Jan. 25, 2024 with additional contributions by Stefano Garzia.

What do Apple I creator Steve Wozniak, Microsoft inventor Bill Gates and Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg all have in common? Before being known as visionaries, entrepreneurs and even millionaires, they were known as something else: computer programmers. But you may wonder what the life of a programmer looks like, and you're not alone.

Programmers write software. However, if you become a computer programmer, you may find yourself performing a variety of tasks.