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What is a day in the life of a computer programmer?

I am going into CIS but not sure exactly what I want to do after graduating with a masters degree. #computer-science #computer-programmer

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Thomas’s Answer

I have a CIS degree. I just go with the flow at work because things are ever changing and I like it. Very rarely are two days the same for me.


Generally speaking, I write new or modify existing code in Oracle/Teradata to improve the productivity of my team. The code requests come from my team through email, chat, and direct conversation. Some of these are written into SSRS packages using Visual Studio, while others are put into COGNOS for reporting. A lot of multitasking takes place on my 3 monitor setup.


When I am done with my regular work hours, I have my business at home developing games in Unity3D mainly using C#. I am not at a point where I can make it a full time gig, but I am working on it. I have a few projects that I am working for the Android Market. 3 monitors at home help with this too.


There is really not a direct answer for this question. Best advice I can offer, is be agile (not waterfall).
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Scott’s Answer

The day in the life of a programmer in my area is starting with communications. Email and other channels. I'm always working with people who need help with the software that I create. After communications, I look at the programming I need to work on for the day. If I am continuing an ongoing project, I refresh my progress and try to resume my work. I spend about 7 hours per day developing software, testing software. In my role, it's very important to solve the right problem and solve it in the right way. So identification of the need is 1st. Thinking of an approach to solve the need is next. It's very important to get feedback from peers on the problem and proposed solution. This helps to understand is the problem correctly understood. And to find out from others if they have feedback on a solution. I review my solution with them and see if they agree. Then I put effort into developing the software and testing. Testing is extremely important and should take at least 1/4 of the time for coding. It's critical that when the development is done that 100% of the need is solved correctly.

Scott recommends the following next steps:

Search for info on the software development process methodology.
Study Algorithms. I Suggest the book Design Patterms
Study Debugging software via online and books. Become familiar logging as a debugging technique
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Joanne’s Answer

That REALLY depends on the corporate culture.


There are design reviews, code changes, etc ...


Some cultures require that the changes in code be met by a certain deadline, so instead of working a normal 9-5 job, you could be working until the code is finished.
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