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An Ideal Programmer

Article is provided courtesy of Pearson IT Certification.
Date: Nov 24, 2010.

Article Information

Article Description

Ed Tittel, creator of the Exam Cram series, considers the qualifications that make for the best prospective programming candidates. If you're looking to be hired or to move up in this field, you need to be aware of these 'wish list' items and work to include them in your skill set.

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Personal Skills

Success doesn't lie in technical skills or education alone, although they certainly help. Programmers don't exist in a vacuum; they generally interact with teams. Successful programmers must also possess the following personal (soft) skills:

Ability to solve problems. Let's face it—the world of software development is a magnet for Murphy's Law: If something can go wrong, rest assured that it will. A savvy programmer must be a solution-oriented, out-of-the-box thinker who frequently comes up with new and innovative ways of doing old (and new) things.
Good communication skills. Communications are a must! That means communicating with humans—a mind-meld with the computer isn't enough. These skills should encompass all facets of communication, including both written and verbal contact.
Self-discipline. While programmers may interact with groups, writing code is a solitary process that requires self-discipline. The world of software development is frequently fraught with deadlines and last-minute changes that translate into long days and lots of hard work.

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