Besides knowledge of coding, does the programmer need any skills to be good at his job? Computer programming is a profession that demands a lot from the professional and not just good knowledge of coding. The coder has to be able to understand the exact requirements of teams and therefore he needs to have effective communication skills, and so on. Technical skills and soft skills go hand in hand. Here are some skills that could complement your knowledge of coding and make you better at your task:   

Problem Solving Skills  

Even a small ‘bug’ can hamper the functioning of the program. The programmer should be quick in identifying the problem, so the first step to solving any ‘bug’ is identifying that it exists. No matter how grave or easy the problem might be, problem-solving is an integral part of software development. A good developer always finds the best solution and the most viable one, after weighing various options. Problem-solving skills evolve as the developer practices them over & over again, and also uses his past experience and applies it to solving new problems.  

Managing Deliverables on Time 

It goes without saying, for any job role there are project timelines and deadlines which need to be adhered to. The same applies to the role of a software coder. It is advisable for coders to make a priority list and focus on the most important tasks first, to proceed with the project in an orderly manner. Real-time analytics will help the developer stay focused and stick to the schedule effortlessly.  

Being a Team Player  

Apps and robotic innovations are put together by a team and not an individual alone. Each person is assigned a role depending on his level of expertise and experience. Therefore, the coder is expected to be in sync with the team and coordinate effectively to realize the goals of the project. If you are a senior developer, there will be many juniors or inexperienced coders working under you. As a leader and a guide, the senior person needs to be sensitive enough to answer questions that might be asked by subordinate coders and pass on the knowledge to others.  

An eye for Detail  

Computer languages like C and C++ are complex and require undivided attention to write them. However, no matter how simple or difficult the coding language is, it is the responsibility of the coder to keep his eye on detailing. Paying attention helps avoid any mistake in the very initial stages so that later time and resources are not wasted in trying to find the ‘bug’ and solve the problem. A habit of ‘attention to detailing’ helps one keep an eye on semicolons, spacing, brackets, and other formatting details that affect the code’s execution.  

A Patient Approach  

Coding can be very frustrating and complex at times and hence keeping a calm mind and being patient is necessary. If you get overworked and try to rush things up, it might lead to errors and unnecessary back-and-forth, which is uncalled for. Ultimately you are dealing with a machine and sometimes there may be technical glitches that need to be tended to.   

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