Programming

Programming

Programming is one of the most in-demand and promising skills on the job market today. It is a field that is constantly evolving and provides a wealth of opportunities – for beginners and students as well as professionals with years of experience. There are countless ways to learn programming or to get better at it. If you’re thinking about trying IT for yourself, this section has everything from information on what a day in the life of a programmer is like and what skills are needed, to career opportunities and recommended resources where you can find proven and practical information.

What is programming?

Programming can be simply described as a complex process in which the programmer writes commands or instructions that tell the computer what to do. It usually consists of several steps, including:

• algorithm design,
• writing code,
• Testing,
• code modification,
• Maintenance.

The programmer does not have to perform all the tasks himself. For example, a tester can help with testing by checking that everything is in order with the code and that the resulting software is ready for use by end users.

The commands and instructions that the programmer gives to the computer are not written in a common language, but in a programming language such as Java, JavaScript, Python, or C++.

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As a programmer, you don’t need to know all programming languages. To get started, it’s enough to learn one – ideally Java, which is versatile and useful in many areas. Later, as you gain more theoretical and practical experience, you can expand your knowledge further.

Your main goal as a programmer will be:

• solve problems using a computer,
• automate activities that are regularly repeated,
• create tools, apps and software that make people’s working and personal lives easier.

Many people think that programming is only for creating websites and apps. However, you can also create computer games, custom software for businesses, automate repetitive tasks, analyse data or build your own projects.

Why learn to program?

There are several reasons why it pays to learn programming. The main ones are:

• High demand – if you enjoy this field and are willing to keep pushing yourself, you don’t have to worry about not finding a job.
• Very good remuneration – the high demand for programmers is also reflected in the remuneration for the work. Companies are willing to offer very good financial compensation to professionals with experience.
• Fostering creativity – IT, especially programming, is very much about creativity and problem solving. As a programmer, you develop these skills, which you will appreciate in your personal life.
• Freedom and flexibility – most programmers have a very flexible work schedule. They can work from home, from the office or use a hybrid model (a combination of both). Opportunity for continuous growth – the IT field is constantly evolving, allowing you to continuously improve, gain new knowledge and move forward. Your work will never be boring or stereotypical.
• Freedom in projects – in addition to working for clients or employers, you can also work on your own projects – websites, games and many more.

How to learn to program?

Are you a beginner and wondering how to learn programming? The whole process is not complicated at all. Just follow these steps:

1. Learn the basics of programming. First of all, it’s important that you know what programming is, what it involves and what skills you’ll need as a programmer. Read more about how to become a programmer and dive into programming for beginners.
2. Choose a programming language. The most suitable programming languages for beginners are Java, JavaScript and Python. They are universal and will be perfectly adequate to get you started. You can expand your knowledge later.
3. Practice writing code. Do you know a programming language and have some theoretical background? Then you can start practicing. But don’t start with difficult projects right away. Try something simpler – for example, program a calculator, a password generator or simple games like Rock, Paper, Scissors. Online editors such as Replit, CodePen or VS Code can help you with programming.
4. Educate yourself further. The IT field is constantly changing and evolving, so keep up to date with the latest trends, read programming books, join discussions on forums and develop yourself through courses.
5. Be patient and don’t be afraid of challenges. Programming is a complex field that encompasses many activities. Don’t push yourself, be patient and learn gradually. At the same time, don’t be afraid of a challenge – take on bigger and more challenging tasks, start working on your own project or try something new, like working in testing.

Resources, tools and recommendations for beginners

In order to get all the skills you need and be good at what you do, you need to have the right sources of information. There are more than enough of them nowadays. Some of the favourites include:

• Books – you can find a lot of them on the market. For us at msg life Slovakia, we have found them to be particularly useful Head First Java: A Brain-Friendly Guide and Clean Code. If you decide to learn more about Java, read our Java books article, where we recommend the best titles. We’ve also included other resources to expand your knowledge and tips to help you learn Java effectively, quickly and easily.
• Online courses – another great source of information. Most courses combine theory with practice, so you’ll be able to test your new knowledge in real-world tasks right away. You can choose free courses, for example on YouTube. Popular ones include freeCodeCamp or Harvard’s CS50. If you don’t mind investing, try platforms like Udemy, Coursera or Codecademy, where you can choose from dozens of courses at different levels.
• Discussion forums and communities – get practical advice from experts with years of experience, or ask questions about your specific problem. But beware – not all information is always correct or verified, so always check it out. You can usually find the best advice on Stack Overflow, Reddit or various Discord groups.
• Professional articles – books are a great resource, but if you want to stay up to date, be sure to follow professional articles as well. They’ll bring you up to date on the latest trends, interesting facts and news that you shouldn’t miss as a programmer. But here too: check the information.

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The way most online courses work is that the authors record them in advance, so you can go back to them, pause them, or play them again at any time. However, if you find this way of learning too impersonal, you can pay for private lessons. The tutor will go over the basic topics with you and answer your questions.

Technical skills and development process

A good programmer should have a number of technical skills, also known as hard skills. Among the most important ones are:

• Data structures – a basic skill of every IT specialist. It is the way you store and process data so that you can use it effectively later.
• Sorting algorithms – if you want to work efficiently and not have chaos in your data, you need to know how to sort it correctly. You just need to know a few basic algorithms and recommendations.
• Code refactoring – an important skill that aims to modify the source code without changing its external behavior. It helps to solve problems such as duplicate code or excessive amount of parameters in functions.
• Code reviews – as the name suggests, this is an in-depth code review that helps you detect minor and major bugs. This will help you avoid unnecessary complications and ensure that the resulting software is reliable.
• SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) – refers to the software development life cycle. It is a process during which the goals and phases needed to create an application, website or other software solution are defined.

Career as a programmer

A career as a programmer is really varied and interesting. A developer works on programming, websites, applications, information systems or games, automates many repetitive processes and solves many other smaller and larger tasks. Do you want to know what is his job description, salary or what hard and softs skills he shouldn’t lack?

Developer job description

The job description of a programmer can vary greatly depending on what clients you work with, what projects you work on, and in what form – i.e. whether you’re employed or freelance.

In general, though, you’re in charge:

• writing and testing code,
• analysis of requirements from the client or the client’s client,
• creation of documentation,
• software maintenance,
• putting the application into practice,
• solving technical problems during operation.

IT programmer salary and wages

Just like the job description, the salary of a programmer depends on a number of factors – the employer, the type of job, your experience and skills.

The job of a software developer is one of the best paid professions on the market. However, the amount of earnings depends on a number of circumstances – from the place of work, the level of professional experience, the technologies that the programmer knows, to the industry in which he or she operates.

Junior developers usually receive lower remuneration at the beginning of their careers , but as their experience and specialization grows, opportunities open up for significantly higher salaries. For medics and seniors there is often more responsibility attached – whether for the project or team leadership. Therefore, in addition to knowledge of modern technologies and programming languages, the ability to function in an agile environment is also important.

Location also has a significant impact on remuneration. Salary differences between Bratislava and other cities are noticeable – in the capital, developers on average get about 20% more than the national average. The form of cooperation should also be taken into account. A full-time in-house developer has a different income, a freelancer working on a man-day rate or hourly rate.

Hard and soft skills for programmers

We’ve already talked about some hard skills for programmers above. In addition to these, you should also know the following technical skills:

• knowledge of programming languages,
• working with databases,
• knowledge of frameworks,
• DevOps basics,
• control of versioning systems (e.g. Git, GitHub, GitLab, etc.).

While technical skills are key, a programmer should not lack soft skills either. The most important ones include:

• logical and analytical thinking,
• problem-solving skills,
• patience and perseverance,
• good communication,
• Teamwork,
• time management,
• willingness to learn.

Conferences for programmers

Continuous learning and networking is also part of a programmer’s career. You don’t have to gain new knowledge only from books, courses or professional articles conferences for programmers and other IT events where you meet people with similar interests are also a great help. You can find interesting events not only in Slovakia, but also abroad. Often you don’t even have to travel – many of them are held in hybrid mode in combination with an online stream.

Try programming yourself

Programming is a highly sought-after skill that appeals to more and more people today. Would you like to give it a try and learn how to create your own apps, websites or software? With our articles, you’ll get proven advice, practical tips and essential knowledge to help you step up to new challenges and job opportunities.