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Glite Dictionary
computer programmer

computer programmer

14 3.2
A person who designs, writes, and tests computer code
  • noun
  • /kəmˈpjuːtər ˈprəʊɡræmər/
translation icon : programador informático
  • I would never read this journal; I'm a computer programmer, but I actually found the editorial interesting.
  • become a computer programmer
  • lawyers and computer programmers
  • engineers and computer programmers

He hired in an Oxford classmate and computer programmer, Martin Lewick to assist.

Examples

  • Perhaps his confidence came from being a returning student, a thirty-year-old computer programmer now pursuing a Ph.D. in English literature.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • The truth is, we are not training enough computer programmers, period, in this country, men or women.

    Blog text (16)

  • Suppose his next best alternative consists of training for a job as a computer programmer.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Just like the designers of that form, early computer programmers needed to save space in their devices' memory.

    Academic text (1997)

  • The call went out for more engineers, scientists, mathematicians, physicists, and computer programmers.

    Academic text (1990)

  • Many students don't know that the first computer programmer was a woman: Ada Lovelace.

    Blog text (14)

  • She is a talented computer programmer who specializes in web development.

  • As a computer programmer, he spends most of his day writing and testing code.

  • Many companies are looking for skilled computer programmers to help build their software applications.

Synonyms

developer
vscomputer programmer
213 3.0

A person or company that makes computer programs like apps

refers specifically to an individual employee who designs and tests programs
hacker
vscomputer programmer
  • Jargon
166 4.8

Someone who explores computer systems and writes programs to solve problems in creative ways

is the paid job focused on designing, writing, and testing programs
programmer
vscomputer programmer
108 3.0

A person who writes, tests, and fixes computer programs

has identical meaning and is the same professional term
software engineer
vscomputer programmer
  • Specialized
14 3.5

A person who designs, writes, and tests computer programs

focuses on computer programs rather than including applications
coder
vscomputer programmer
  • Specialized
13 3.4

A person who writes programs that tell computers what to do

includes design and testing roles beyond just writing code
dev
vscomputer programmer
  • Jargon
12 7.4

A person who writes and fixes software

is the formal job title without the informal tone
code monkey
vscomputer programmer
  • Offensive
1 8.2

A person who only writes routine computer code and has no say in decisions

has responsibility for design and testing, not only routine coding tasks

How Experienced

senior
147 2.5
computer programmer
14 3.2
junior
  • Informal
168 3.4

Surface Forms

computer programmer singular
computer programmers plural

Morphology

computer + programmer

The meaning 'a person who designs, writes, and tests computer programs' is directly and compositionally derived from 'computer' (electronic device) + 'programmer' (person who writes programs); the compound simply specifies the domain of the programmer. This noun+noun compounding is a transparent, cross-linguistic pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Computer programmer is a literal job name: a programmer writes and makes 'programs' for a computer. Imagine someone writing a clear list of steps for a machine to follow, so the phrase means 'a person who designs, writes, and tests computer programs'.