Programmer

/ˈproʊˌɡræmər/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A person who writes code for computer programs.
The programmer spent long hours debugging the software to ensure it was error-free.
A person who develops and maintains applications or systems software.
As a game programmer, she was responsible for creating the interactive features of the game.
An individual skilled in programming languages and methods, with a focus on writing instructions for computers.
The company hired a team of programmers to develop their new website.

Etymology

Derived from the word 'program' combined with the suffix '-er' which indicates a person who performs a specific action.

Common Phrases and Expressions

code monkey
A derogatory term for a programmer who writes code without any further involvement in design or architecture.
debugging
The process of finding and fixing bugs or errors in a computer program.
full-stack developer
A programmer who can work on both the front-end and back-end portions of an application.

Related Words

coding
The act of writing code, the fundamental task of programmers.
software
Programs and applications created by programmers for computers and devices.
algorithm
A step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or performing a task, often used by programmers.

Slang Meanings

Hack
The programmer decided to hack the existing code for more efficiency.
Ninja
He's a coding ninja who can solve complex problems in minutes.