Becoming a programmer isn't easy. It takes years of practice and learning to master the craft truly. But once you do, you'll be in high demand and able to command a high salary. An average programmer earns around five lakhs per year, whereas successful ones earn more than ten lakhs per year.
So, what separates successful programmers from the rest? What special computer programming skills do they possess that make them so good at their job?
Let's find out.
So, here are five of the most important computer programming skills you should learn if you want to be a top programmer.
Of course, you can't be a programmer without knowing how to code, and it is one of the basic programming skills required for a programmer. But it's not enough to just know one programming language in today's competitive world. The best programmers are proficient in multiple programming languages. They are also adept at learning new ones as and when needed.
Successful computer programmers also keep up with the latest trends and advancements in the programming world. This makes sure they're always using the best tools for the job. Thus, knowing multiple programming languages is one of today's most essential programming skills.
Some of the most in-demand programming languages currently include Java, Python, and JavaScript, to name a few. But dozens of other computer programming languages are also popular, so staying well-rounded is important.
You can undertake online courses like Newton School's Full Stack Web Development Certificate Course to learn multiple computer programming languages and get started on your coding journey. The course will also teach you important programming concepts, different programming paradigms, and how to use various frameworks, along with the soft skills required to be a successful programmer.
The next on the programming skills list is problem-solving skills. Programming is all about solving problems. Whether you're working on a small project or a large-scale software system, you'll need to be able to identify the problem and come up with a solution. This requires strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
For example, let's say you're working on a website, and the page isn't loading correctly. You'll need to be able to figure out what the problem is and then find a way to fix it. This might involve looking through code, testing different theories, and doing some research.
Similarly, if you're tasked with creating a new feature for a software program, you'll need to be able to break down the requirements and figure out how to turn them into code. This requires being able to think abstractly and see the big picture.
Thus, strong problem-solving skills are essential for any programmer.
This is perhaps the most underrated yet important computer programmer skill. If you can code quickly, you'll be able to get more done in less time. This can help impress your boss or clients and play a part in advancing your career.
You may be in a situation where you're under a tight deadline to finish a project. In these cases, being able to code quickly can be the difference between meeting the deadline and not.
Of course, coding quickly doesn't mean sacrificing quality. You still need to write clean, well-organized code that is easy to read and maintain. But you'll be in high demand if you can do this while also working quickly.
There are many different software development methodologies out there, and the best programmers have experience with several of them. This includes Agile, waterfall, test-driven development, and more.
Each methodology has its pros and cons, so it's important to be familiar with as many as possible. This way, you can choose the right methodology for each project based on its specific needs.
Moreover, you also need to have an understanding of algorithms and data structures. For example, if you're tasked with creating a sorting algorithm, you'll need to know how to do it efficiently. This requires a good understanding of algorithms and data structures. This will come in handy when working on larger projects requiring more complex code.
Programming is often a team effort, so it's important to be able to communicate and work well with others. This includes being able to explain your ideas and listening to others' feedback. This makes excellent communication and teamwork essential computer programmer skills in the soft skills department.
As a computer programmer, you should also be able to work collaboratively on code projects. This means being able to take other people's code and integrate it with your own, as well as being able to debug code together.
Moreover, you need to be able to work with other departments within the company, such as the design team, to make sure everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goal.
These are just a few computer programming skills that make a programmer successful. Of course, many others are also important, such as attention to detail, creative thinking, and more. However, if you master the skills on this list, you'll be well on your way to becoming a top programmer.
What other skills do you think are essential for any programmer? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
staying well-rounded is important