What exactly does a computer programmer do?

I'm considering a career in programming because I love coding. Can someone tell me more about the specific responsibilities of a computer programmer and what a typical workday might look like?

Computer programmers have a variety of responsibilities, primarily centering around writing and testing code. This can be for creating new software applications, or improving and debugging existing ones. Code can be written in a multitude of different languages, so specializations and expertise can vary significantly between programmers.

A typical day in the life of a computer programmer would probably start with a review of the tasks to be accomplished that day. Many programmers work in Agile development environments, which means they may participate in daily standup meetings to discuss progress and any obstacles in the project that need to be addressed.

Most of their day is spent writing and debugging code. This involves preparing program specifications, writing the code, and then testing it thoroughly to ensure it does what it's supposed to do. This loop of writing and testing is repeated until the desired functionality is achieved and the code is free of bugs. The programmer will often then document the code, detailing what it does and how it does it, which is important for future reference or for other programmers who might need to work with this code.

Collaboration is another important aspect of their job. Many programming projects are team efforts, and programmers will spend significant time working with colleagues, including other programmers, but also project managers, UX/UI designers and, sometimes, clients. This could involve pair programming where two coders work together on a single program, or code reviews where programmers evaluate and provide feedback on each other's code.

Lastly, a vital part of a programmer's job is staying up-to-date with the latest developments in technology, coding best practices and new programming languages. This might involve reading industry literature, attending workshops, taking additional training courses, or participating in relevant online communities.

Of course, the specifics can vary largely depending on the type of company they work for and the nature of the projects they handle. Additionally, the work of a freelance programmer could look quite different from someone who works in a corporate environment.