All around programmers are software developers that have extensive knowledge developments ranging from front-end development (client-side) to back-end development (server-side).
The term you’re probably more family with is Full Stack Developer. “Full Stack” typically refers to the technical skills of a programmer such as what programming language is being used, which type of database should be used, etc.
“All around” refers to being not just having the technical skills but also the soft skills required to become a successful programmer. You’re not just coding for the sake of coding. You’re here to use your programming skills to help solve business problems and that makes you a valuable programmer. You’ll need both the technical skills and the soft skills to be
The Tech Skills
You can’t be in the technology industry without being, well, technical. Here are some areas you should be comfortable with as an all around programmer:
Font End Development
Front end programming languages are languages that run on your browser, such as HTML, CSS and Javascript. Front end development focuses on user interface such as visuals, navigation and interface. When you think of front end development, think of what the client sees when visiting your webpage.
Server side Development
Server-side development involves programming languages that run on, of course, the server. This server can be as simple as from code running on your own computer or a server that runs on the cloud. Server-side code is the opposite of front-end development: the code is hidden from the client. Server side programming languages include C#, C++, Python, Ruby and PHP.
Back end Development
Though Back end and Server side are often used interchangeably, Back end development typically involves database portion of the application. Databases are used to store user information that can later be retrieved. Traditional (structured) database languages include Microsoft SQL and MySQL while more modern (unstructured) databases are MongoDB and Amazon DynamoDB.
The Soft Skills
Problem Solving
The most valuable skill you can bring to any company, whether it be a small start-up or a large company, is the ability to solve problems when issues come up. All around programmers are alert when it comes to business analytics:
- How much does your project costs?
- What’s the timeline of the project?
- How much revenue does your project bring to the company?
It all comes down to costs. Those big bucks pay the developer at the end of the month. We don’t write code for the sake of it. The lines of code developers push to Git will be of no use if the company goes bankrupt. All around programmers know that working with Sales and Product departments yield great results, both for the company and their own careers.
Curious Learner
To the right person, programming is interesting. Being curious as to how the code works and how different components interact with each other is what will keep you motivated in learning more about Software Engineering. Great all around programmers are always learning about how an application runs. The more you learn, the more valuable you become. The more valuable you become, the easier it is to land Software Engineering jobs.
Communication
A good all around programmer must be good at communicating between business stakeholders, front end and back end developers. While everyone else is specialized in a particular skillset, you serve as the glue that holds everyone together because you have the best overall view of the application.
Conclusion
The tech industry is constantly changing. Traditionally, companies implemented the a strict hierarchy where business operations and development were in separate departments. All around programmers nowadays take initiative to not only code but but also participate in coming up solutions to pain points that businesses face.
Good luck and happy programming!
-Bao
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