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programmer

programmer

108 3.0
A person who writes, tests, and fixes computer programs
  • noun
  • /ˈprɒɡræmər/
translation icon : programador
  • As a skilled programmer, he designs innovative software solutions to improve user experience.
  • computer programmer
  • programmers write
  • systems programmer

How have you yourself changed as a programmer over the years?

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Examples

  • He's a computer programmer for the school district.

  • We eventually did hire a programmer to help us with it.

  • How have you yourself changed as a programmer over the years?

  • So the programmer has to know about the architecture.

  • Kenny is the hottest young programmer in New York City.

  • I could explain to the programmers what was needed.

  • James worked in St. Louis, first for Washington University as a programmer, then for Anheuser-Busch.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Rick Heller is a computer programmer who lives in the Boston area.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • I'm a freelance programmer at IndieCorp.

  • I am a programmer, philosopher, and founder of Stoa, A Stoic meditation app.

Synonyms

developer
vsprogrammer
213 3.0

A person or company that makes computer programs like apps

refers only to an individual who writes and tests programs
computer programmer
vsprogrammer
14 3.2

A person who designs, writes, and tests computer code

has identical meaning but uses a shorter single-word form
software engineer
vsprogrammer
  • Specialized
14 3.5

A person who designs, writes, and tests computer programs

focuses more narrowly on program work rather than broader application scope
coder
vsprogrammer
  • Specialized
13 3.4

A person who writes programs that tell computers what to do

includes planning and systematic testing as part of the role
dev
vsprogrammer
  • Jargon
12 7.4

A person who writes and fixes software

is the neutral professional name rather than an informal label
code monkey
vsprogrammer
  • Offensive
1 8.2

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

is the neutral professional role including design and testing responsibility
progger
vsprogrammer
  • Slang
9.3

A person who writes computer programs

is the standard neutral term rather than a slang label

Compounds

A person who designs, writes, and tests computer code

How Experienced

senior
147 2.5
programmer
108 3.0
trainee
50 2.4

Surface Forms

programmer singular
programmers plural

Morphology

programmer = program (transparent) = program + er

The agentive suffix '-er' added to the verb 'program' yields 'one who programs', a direct and regular derivation learners can interpret.

Etymology

Programmer comes from program, which itself comes from the parts pro- meaning 'before' and gramma meaning 'a thing written'. So a programmer is literally someone who writes the instructions — a written 'before' plan — that tells a computer what to do.