Often I ask myself what makes a great programmer. Is it someone who writes brilliant code and solves complex problems effortlessly? Is it someone who has been coding since he was 10 and has over 15 years of experience coding? is it someone who knows all the important programming languages or someone who can build the most complex applications at the drop of a hat? or is it someone who can write the most beautiful code without encountering any errors or bugs whatsoever?

Even though all that sounds amazing, it only goes halfway in making you an ideal programmer. There are certain skills and abilities that one needs to possess to be able to tag themselves as "a good programmer". This does not negate or cancel out the fact that you have to know how to code to be a good programmer but certain qualities will make you stand out from others.

Genuine professionals are individuals who consistently meet deadlines, excel as team players rather than lone heroes, and ultimately contribute valuable assets to their employers or clients.

Let's explore the multifaceted aspects that define a great programmer and set them apart from the rest, although these are just a few:

The Art of Problem Solving:

Coding is not solely about syntax, algorithms, and writing code, it's about being able to solve problems and proffer solutions. A good programmer should be able to analyze situations effectively, break down complex issues, and devise efficient solutions to problems. They should be able to strategically approach problems and break them into manageable components that will make them easier to solve.

Embrace Continuous Learning

It's always a struggle trying to keep up with emerging trends, updated docs, and even the newest and flashy-looking frameworks and you'd agree with me that it's a lot to take in. I'm not saying that you should just keep learning and consuming new information, I mean you're not an API. Your focus should be to work on a couple of core skills and still stay a bit familiar with other trends and news that are going on in the field.

Team Spirit

As a programmer, you'll mostly get to work with other people from other tech or non-tech fields when building projects and it's not enough to know how to write code, you also need people management and effective communication skills after all no one likes a stuck-up nerd.

Be able to explain techy concepts to even a 5-year-old

Diving into code feels like exploring a world of intricate problems. But when you step out to share your tech victories with non-programmers, you need a different approach. Imagine yourself as a Code Explorer in a new land, surrounded by non-techy friends. While you love coding, they connect with the world beyond your digital domain. Being a good team player means explaining your coding adventures in simple terms and as a bonus you get a more solid understanding of what you are explaining because for you to be able to explain such concepts to a 5-year-old means you can link that concept to the real world and use instances as examples to help that child understand what you are saying and that can only be done if you truly understand that particular concept.

By talking about time and goals, you become the Code Explorer who links the coding world with everyday life—a true collaborator in the tech journey.

Don’t hide your mistakes

No one likes messing up......right? It’s inevitable. But to truly become a professional or in our case "a good programmer" we must kill that urge to hide our mistakes. It's better if you ask for help than just cover it up and suffer while you try to find the solution.

If you mess up in a way that could mess up the project, the smart move is to fess up ASAP. Just tell your boss, the client, or whoever needs to know, and start fixing things. Trying to hide your blunder and crossing your fingers that no one catches on might work for a bit. But if the truth comes out later, it's gonna seriously mess with trust and could put your project or job on shaky ground.

You don't have to spill the beans about every little hiccup. But when you goof up in a way that needs extra time to sort or mess with something crucial, it's a solid move to own up. It pays off in the end for everyone involved.

Accurately estimate the time needed to complete tasks

Nailing down the right timeframe to finish tasks is crucial. Make sure you can accurately estimate how much time each task will take. It helps in planning, keeps things on track, and ensures you meet deadlines like a pro. Whether it's coding, planning a project, or anything in between, being spot-on with your time estimates is a skill that pays off big time.

Focus, work efficiently, and produce results

We're all aware that multitasking is a myth for humans; our brains function with a single thread. While we can switch between tasks, it's not the most efficient or ideal approach. However, depending on your job, interruptions might be a daily reality. This emphasizes the need to maximize the limited time available for coding.

Separate work and non-work time as much as possible to avoid them bleeding into each other. Constantly checking social media can seriously dent your productivity. During work hours, streamline your focus by closing unnecessary browser tabs and committing to steady work until reaching a reasonable milestone. Trying techniques like using a Pomodoro timer for 25-minute bursts can also enhance concentration on the task at hand.