Common Problems New Computer Programmers May Experience

Choosing the right career path can be extremely challenging. For people who love figuring out the complexities of computer code, a career as a programmer is a great option.

With over 300,000 existing computer programming positions on the American job market, there is no denying this field is the wave of the future. Having success as a computer programmer will require you to work hard and practice coding on a daily basis.

Read below to find out about some of the most common problems new computer programmers may experience.

Working With Outdated Equipment Can Be Problematic

If you plan on making your living as a computer programmer, you need to invest some money into the latest technology. Having a laptop or desktop computer that is built for performance is essential. Once you have found the right computer setup, you may need to think about investing in some professional IT support.

Working with a company that uses remote support software can benefit you greatly. With remote IT support, you can get the computer or network problems you are dealing with fixed quickly and correctly.

Debugging Code is Extremely Difficult

Spending days on end coding a new piece of software is something you need to get used to as a new programmer. One of the biggest challenges you will face is debugging your own code. Most large development firms will have a quality assurance department that checks all of the code written by computer programmers.

Often times, you will receive a long list of potential bugs found by the quality assurance team that you will have to fix. Rather than getting completely overwhelmed, you need to take this process step by step. If you simply don’t understand what the bugs are, start by reproducing them.

By reproducing your errors, you can start to reverse engineer and figure out what needs to be fixed. In some instances, you may need to seek out some help from a more experienced programmer.

Adequate Communication is Key

Landing your first job as a computer programmer can be extremely exciting. However, you may struggle with communication in your new work environment.

This is why you will need to work hard to ensure you understand the jobs your project manager gives you. Failing to get clarification on what you are supposed to do will generally lead to a number of mistakes being made.

Not only can poor communication lead to you making mistakes in your work, but it can also cause workplace conflict. This is why instead of being embarrassed to ask questions, you need to take notes and ensure every base is covered before you start to code.

Difficulty Estimating Time of Completion

Becoming a successful computer programmer will require you to work well under tight deadlines and pressure. When first starting out as a programmer, you may miss a few deadlines due to your lack of experience.

You need to avoid making a habit of missing deadlines due to the problems it can cause within the workplace. The best way to stay on task is by breaking the project you are working on into a series of smaller tasks.

Mapping out your programming project like this will allow you to get a clear picture of what needs to be done. If you are working on the project at hand with other programmers, be sure to keep them in the loop regarding your progress. Keeping communication levels high throughout the progression of the project can help you avoid productivity problems.

While becoming a successful programmer will require lots of hard work, it is well worth the effort. Seeking out a mentor in this industry can help you avoid common mistakes with ease.