What do computer programmers actually do?

I've been thinking about a future in tech, maybe as a computer programmer. Can someone give me an idea of what their job entails? What kind of projects do they work on, and how much coding is involved?

Computer programmers play a critical role in the creation of software applications and platforms. They do indeed do a lot of coding, which is writing in a computer language most humans don't understand, such as Java or Python, to instruct the computer on how to perform certain tasks.

A few details, to give you a clearer perspective. Firstly, programmers typically take the designs and work models prepared by software developers and engineers and turn them into instructions that the computer can follow. They write lines of code, but these aren't just random strings of commands. They need to create clean, efficient code that performs the required task and can be easily understood by others. That's where excellent problem-solving skills and keen attention to detail come in.

Their projects can range from creating programs for a specific task, like a scheduling system for a business, to large-scale system software, like an operating system. If a code isn't working properly, they're the ones responsible for debugging it. Some programmers might specialize in a few programming languages, or they might have a broad understanding of several languages.

Programmers also regularly update, modify, and expand existing programs. As technology evolves, updates and improvements are continuously needed to meet user needs.

That said, the job isn't all about solitary coding. It's very much a team effort, especially in larger projects. Programmers often work in concert with software developers, DBAs, hardware engineers, and even the users themselves to ensure the application appropriately meets the required needs.

Lastly, while the profession is often associated with long hours in front of a computer screen, that's not necessarily the case. Many companies adopt flexible work schedules, and remote work options are also pretty common in this field.