What Do Programmers Do, Anyway?

What do Apple I creator Steve Wozniak, Microsoft inventor Bill Gates and Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg all have in common? Before being known as visionaries, entrepreneurs and even millionaires, they were computer programmers.

You may wonder what the life of a programmer looks like, and you're not alone.

If you become a computer programmer, you may find yourself writing software and performing a variety of other tasks.

What Exactly Does a Computer Programmer Do?

Computer programmers use code to build, modify and test software and applications to ensure they work smoothly and reliably, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

They're responsible for analyzing their clients' needs. Then, they design, develop and test software that meets those needs. Computer programmers will also leverage their expertise to ensure the software is developed in accordance with industry standards and best practices in performance, reliability and security.

They also work with software developers and engineers to transform their designs into instructions for a computer to follow, according to BLS.

"Is there ever a typical day as a computer programmer? Probably not," said Dr. Gary Savard, a senior associate dean of computer science at SNHU with three decades of experience in computer science and software engineering roles.

But he noted a few responsibilities you can expect to encounter regularly:

• Attend meetings about quality assurance and testing
• Conduct code reviews
• Ensure compliance with laws and regulations
• Program based on industry and company best practices
• Review development documents

Computer programmers are called many things, from programmers and software developers to computer designers, coders and systems analysts.

Savard highlighted the diverse role of programmers today.

"Programmers are responsible for taking the blueprints developed by the software architect, systems engineers, systems analysts and customers and making them reality by implementing their assigned part of the software system," he said.

Programmers, Savard noted, use computer science languages like:

• C++
• C#
• Java
• JavaScript
• Python

Learn more about what Python is and what you can do with it.

To make sure everything functions correctly, computer programmers do frequent iterations of design, development, integration of software components, testing and getting feedback from clients. After an application or program is working smoothly and deployed, computer programmers update and extend the functionality of existing software.

Soft Skills in Computer Programming

Computer programmers also work with other designers and programmers to plan each piece of the application or software and then determine how each part will work together.

Savard said programming is not a solitary task, but a collaborative and interactive endeavor.

"The best programmers work to be solid team members and take the time to learn how each member communicates from their perspective," he said. "Most programming teams that I have worked on have members from multiple countries and knowing a bit about your teammate's culture makes the team more effective and fun."

By nature, computer programmers are tech-savvy problem solvers who understand how things work. They usually have well-developed analytical skills, are creative and can maintain their focus and pay attention to even the smallest details.

Now that you understand more about some of the job-related tasks they perform and necessary skills, let’s explore what kinds of things computer programmers actually help design and build.

What Are Careers in Computer Programming?

Because computer programming is a broad field, there are myriad ways you can use the skills you develop in programming to forge a successful career. Some of the common areas computer programmers work include mobile applications, website development and more.

Mobile App Development

Today, you probably use a variety of digital devices for tasks like checking the weather, handling data, playing games and interacting on social media. Computer programming enables these activities, which have become integral parts of life.

For example, Apple stated that, in 2024, its app store featured more than 30 thousand "handpicked" apps and saw over 850 million visitors each week.

It's no wonder there are so many apps available, given just how many people use mobile devices. According to a 2025 Pew Research Center report, a vast majority of U.S. adults — 98% — own a cellphone and 91% own a smartphone. Fourteen years earlier, when Pew Research conducted its first survey on smartphone ownership, that number was just 35%.

In a computer science bachelor's program you can learn skills like software design and modeling, mobile application development and distributed application development. With these skills, you could create your own apps.

Computer Game Programmer

Computer programmers can also design video, online and mobile games. Each game includes millions of lines of code, complex storylines and well-developed characters.

The more inviting the game, the more players it attracts, as Derald Wise ’14 '18G learned. While Wise was in the U.S. Army, he got the chance to put his programming skills to the test.

“The military was starting to use a first-person shooter video game called 'Virtual Battle Space 2,' to help train soldiers and Marines for combat. Though still a relatively new concept, I was offered a job developing scenarios for the military as a game developer,” he said.

While the experience was invaluable, Wise finally realized he needed a degree to further his career. In his game design and development program at SNHU, he learned some valuable industry skills that he could put to use at work, such as:

• Interactive media element design
• 3D modeling and sculpting
• Creative and collaborative problem-solving
• Design optimization
• Rigging and character animation

The importance of these skills becomes even clearer if you look at the market trends. In 2026, two in three people in the U.S. play video games for at least one hour each week, according to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). Consumer spending on video games reached $60.7 billion in 2025, the ESA reported — outpacing spending on movies, TV and music combined.

In SNHU's newly redesigned game design program, students don't just learn; they actively participate in real projects and gain valuable industry experience.

During studio courses, for instance, students in the game programming concentration team up with peers studying game art and game design to simulate the game production process.

These hands-on projects not only enhance their academic experience but also prepare them for future careers.

This type of education is called experiential learning, and it's one way to build the experience often needed for even entry-level computer science roles. It can also include participating in internships, volunteer work or other relevant college projects.

Web Developer

Besides using coding skills to create games, computer programmers can use their expertise to develop websites.

Web developers are responsible for the overall look and functionality of the sites that people visit, overseeing design as well as technical elements, including speed and how much traffic the site can handle.

To put the work of web developers into perspective, there are over 1.2 billion websites online today with a new website being created every three seconds, according to Forbes.

Web developer roles are projected to grow 8% between 2024 and 2034, according to BLS, with approximately 6,500 job openings each year.*

Types of Computer Programming Degrees

A degree can be a requirement for computer science jobs. There are several types to consider, depending on your interests and current education level.

Undergraduate Degrees

A bachelor's in computer science allows students to work on real-world problems in computer software design and development. It can be a good way to become a well-rounded programmer.

Finding a program that prepares you for your career is crucial. The curriculum at SNHU, for instance, encompasses a wide array of vital topics in applied computer science, according to Savard.

"We teach multiple languages that are commonly used in industry but also give the student a well-rounded education in teamwork and other high-tech tools and concepts that are needed to be successful in software development," he said.

Other options include a bachelor's in game design and development, which prepares you not only for games and simulations but also for the development of software applications. Finally, there's a bachelor's in information technology with a software development concentration.

There are also opportunities to earn certificates to advance your degree, such as with a computer programming certificate.

Graduate Degrees

Graduate programs can help bring your skills to a higher level, too. For instance, SNHU's master's in information technology offers concentrations such as software application development and web design.

SNHU also offers a master's in computer science with concentration options in software engineering and artificial intelligence. You could pursue this degree to advance your tech education or if you're a career changer who has a bachelor's in a different subject.

The program offers foundational courses in programming and mathematics to catch you up to speed if you're new to tech, but if you already have a computer science background, you can move forward to the advanced coursework.

According to Savard, a master's in computer science can help you better understand the computer science ecosystem, including:

• Application development
• Deployment
• Cloud computing
• Programming languages
• Software development life cycles

Learn more about how to get a master's in computer science without a CS undergrad.

Is Programming Still Worth It?

The technology field is evolving rapidly. With the way artificial intelligence (AI) is changing roles, you may be wondering if programming is still a good field to pursue.

Today, AI technology influences programmers across various fields.

"I can recall spending a lot of hours trying to do basic things and writing code to do basic things, and now we can go to ChatGPT and it spits it out in (a) millisecond," Savard said.

So what does that mean for programmers?

"We are just starting to understand how AI will fit into all aspects of our lives," Savard said. "Spending time to understand how AI is implemented in programming and how it may benefit us in business, medicine and other aspects of our lives (can) allow a programmer to write their own ticket.”

BLS projects 5,500 openings for computer programmer positions each year, on average, through 2034.* But many programmers, BLS noted, eventually move into other roles with greater job growth projections, including:

• Computer and information systems managers: 34,200 openings expected through 2034*
• Computer systems analysts: 55,600 openings expected through 2034*
• Software developers: 129,200 openings expected through 2034*

If you expect to code all day as a programmer, think again. Savard said that's a misconception of the field.

There's often other learning involved, and that's what he highlighted as one of the best parts of the career field. He's had the chance to learn about medicine from working with medical robots, and he's learned about human resources while working on HR software, for example.

Due to the fast-changing nature of the industry, it's important for programmers to keep learning even after they finish their college degree.

With the ability to be both creative and analytical, and to work across diverse industries and within the evolving job market, it's an opportune moment to follow your passion for computer programming.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Alexa Gustavsen ’21 '26G is a content marketing specialist and writer at Southern New Hampshire University. Based in New Hampshire, she completed her bachelor's in creative writing and English on campus at SNHU. She also earned a master's in marketing from the university. Connect with her on LinkedIn.