Who would you consider a programmer?

[ctomni231]

I agree with Riven, even if you don't complete a project, what you are considered depends on the amount of time you spend doing it.

There are many people who write computer programs, but do not have a degree. Just because they do not have a degree, it doesn't make them any less of a programmer. So how can you say that if someone doesn't finish a computer program, they are not a programmer. Whether you finish something or not, it depends on the amount of time spent doing it.

A person who spends a little bit of time is usually an amateur, beginning programmer. Even if they don't finish anything, they still have the title because they spent the time to try. It is the same with any profession, you really don't need a certificate. You just need to spend a little bit of time and you'll be recognized with the title. The only difference here is how much time you've spent, the more experience you have... the deeper the title meaning. Like the difference between an expert, intermediate, or beginner. It is all based on time.

[ReBirth]

That's what people said about 10,000 hours of coding.

[Oskuro]

You are a programmer if you actually like programming.

Games published by our own members! Check 'em out!

[Sickan]

You are a programmer if you actually like programming.

And otherwise you are a coder?

[ReBirth]

When you type lot of semicolon. Because normal computer user wont use semicolon that much.

[Damocles]

A programmer puts a concept into a sequencial series of instructions.

In this sense any mother is a programmer when writing the groceries list:

1-buy butter
2-eggs
3-Edammer cheese
if no Edammer look for Gouda
4-Fruits
5-if it rains, dont buy the cole, but buy a cake
else buy cole, meat and beer (if in US, skip last instruction)
6-look at 2, in case you forgot the eggs again! (assert)
if yes, dont bother coming home

[Oskuro]

And otherwise you are a coder?

No, otherwise you are someone who has to program but would rather not have to do it.

Most people I know working as Software Engineers see programming as a necessary evil they must endure until they can become managers. Only the weird ones like me are passionate about coding.

I mean, I just managed to beat Java's standard Stack implementation benchmark time... And I'm totally ecstatic... And I did it just to prove I could! 


Edit: I guess bragging about your coding prowess also counts!

[Eli Delventhal]

When you type lot of semicolon. Because normal computer user wont use semicolon that much.

But... but... WHAT IF I WANT TO USE PYTHON!!?!?!?! 

@Oskuro:
I like to program, but I get tired of doing it 45+ hours per week. Part of what I loved so much about making hobby games before I went professional was that games are so multi-discipline; I spent a lot of time on the art, music, design, etc. as well. So I could get breaks from the programming. There is absolutely satisfaction to the problem solving, writing a smart algorithm, etc., but goodness is it a drag to be all that I do. Half of my brain is unused.

[Cero]

And otherwise you are a coder?

No, otherwise you are someone who has to program but would rather not have to do it.

Most people I know working as Software Engineers see programming as a necessary evil they must endure until they can become managers. Only the weird ones like me are passionate about coding.

I mean, I just managed to beat Java's standard Stack implementation benchmark time... And I'm totally ecstatic... And I did it just to prove I could! 


Edit: I guess bragging about your coding prowess also counts!

So a Taxi Driver who hates being a Taxi Drive, who does it for a living, for 20 years, is not a Taxi Driver because he doesn't like it ?
Nah, you are what you do.

[Roquen]

Most people I know working as Software Engineers see programming as a necessary evil they must endure until they can become managers.

Ugg.  Exact reason why I stopped working for corps.  Program less and replace that by soul sucking activities like yet more meetings, moving people from important roles to making coffee, firing people, cancelling projects and/or jumping up-and-down on peoples heads.  Management sucks.

Games published by our own members! Check 'em out!

[Riven]

This thread is beyond salvation.


You are considered a programmer if you have once killed the illusive artificially sweetened kangaroo elf.

Now everybody go back to work. We need some games in the showcase, mkay?

[Oskuro]

Eli said:

I like to program, but I get tired of doing it 45+ hours per week.

Yeah, I'm actually very lucky that my current job keeps presenting interesting programming challenges. Other jobs I've had bore me to tears, and it really had an impact on my productivity and mental health.

Now I'm in a rare position where once I'm off work, I have enough ideas boucing around my head I can easily get coding my own projects. 

Roquen said:

Management sucks.

Yeah, it's far from what people believe it to be, but that's the thing, most people focus on what they see as problems now, and fail to see the difficulties of a future position. I have the feeling I'll be dragged kicking and screaming into a management position in the not so far future (mainly when I'm the most experienced developer around and the new hires need to be herded into usefulness) 

Cero said:

Nah, you are what you do.

Well, of course, but I was under the impression that this thread aimed at being a bit more philosophical about it.
On the other hand, I call myself a "programmer", while most of my colleagues prefer to refer to themselves as "developers" or "computer technicians" (Actually the spanish generic word for Computer Science people is "Informaticos", not sure what the english term is). That was my point about "liking" it.

Riven said:

You are considered a programmer if you have once killed the illusive artifically sweetened kangaroo elf.

Well, of course, but haven't we all?

 

[Jimmt]

Riven said:

You are considered a programmer if you have once killed the illusive artifically sweetened kangaroo elf.

Well, of course, but haven't we all?

Tastes like chicken.

[ReBirth]

But... but... WHAT IF I WANT TO USE PYTHON!!?!?!?! 

People whose use semicolon too much can be granted to be programmers, but not all programmers use semicolon. I considered HTML and Basic when wrote it, but still it's valid

[matheus23]

I considered HTML and Basic when wrote it, but still it's valid

Someone "writing" HTML is not a programmer for me. Never. Ever.
Only one, who is using Javascript... but then he would write Javascript...

[Damocles]

Writing HTML is writing a logical script of commands, which a parser executes to do something intended.
Its as much programming as Java or C++ is.

I think the question here is more: "Who do I consider 'Da Cool' Programma"

In the end only someone writing in Assembler is a true programmer, since he is creating the actual machine program. (with some convenience functions)
(the most bare being someone using a HEX Editor to write programs)

Others are compiler/parser programmaker users

[Oskuro]

And then you see people do things with HTML that make your innards shrivel with envy...

Let's face it, a true programmer can do magic with a freaking Abacus.





Serious Note: Really, Programming Language rivalries are as moronic as Console Wars... They are just tools. 

[Dregron]

Am pretty sure we all know the biggest secret of knowing who's a programmer...


Having a beard or long hair... Or both & if not that cloths that just say "meh".
But yeah if not they things I think you can tell if you start having a conversation about programming what tools, engine you use etc.

[Damocles]

Bearded programmers are the worst

[Rorkien]

Bearded programmers are so 80's

or hipsters
or waiting for gillette to offer them 1million

[Json]

You could always check if you qualify using the brogrammer quiz, could be near enough

http://areyouabrogrammer.com/

[jonjava]

Scripter: Scripts around, familiar with 1 programming language. *Able to make a calculator*
Coder: Does code for programs or for the web. Familiar with at least 2 programming languages. *Able to make a networked game*
Programmer: Same as Coder but also knows the fundamentals of how computers work. Years of experience with at least 2 languages and familiar with others. *Able to make a compiler*
Hacker: Knows all of the above + intimately familiar with unix and years of experience as a sysadmin.

[Oskuro]

Having a beard or long hair...

I have both and I wear a hat.

Which should get me to Notch level at the very least. 

[Damocles]

No, you need to be also bald.

(Its a principle of thermodynamics)

[Oskuro]

Curses! Why am I the only man who does not wear a hat to hide baldness? 

[Damocles]

Has the funny side-effect that people might think you ARE bald.

What a double bluff. 

[ra4king]

You could always check if you qualify using the brogrammer quiz, could be near enough

http://areyouabrogrammer.com/

I'm a -75, aka a geek! W000t XD

[ReBirth]

Coder: Does code for programs or for the web. Familiar with at least 2 programming languages. *Able to make a networked game*

I dont think that's necessary.

EDIT: from brogrammer, I'm a standard nerd!

[sproingie]

Standard nerd for me too.

[ra4king]

Well....I reconsidered my answer to the last question, and now I'm a -95.....standard nerd