what are the key attributes that make a good programmer?
970839
To be a good programmer one has to have comprehensive problem solving abilities. These abilities are not inborn to anybody\nThe only way to get this ability is to think in a stepwise manner.\nSuppose if u want to do addition of 2 no's what u should think is that from where do i get 2 nos here comes the concept of variables and after knowing that we can store numbers in variables the next thing we do is how to add these no's, so u  will get the answer and after the addition where should i keep the result.\n\nBy thinking in this manner u can solve any typical ?' s .
443392
Honesty\n\nGood Manners\n\nquality\n\nValue for money\n\nElegance
156876
integrity,a sense of humor, being an attentive listener and supportive\n\n\n:-)
1173018
1 great sense of humor\n2. good communication skills\n3 great personality\n4 likes sex
750655
Patience is a good one.  Here's some more to think about:\n\nFocus.  No focus and you can be as patient as a rock and never get anything done.  You have to be able to zero in on the work at hand.\n\nCreativity.  Creativity turns a half-rate hack into a cross-platform coder.  Being able to peck out a few lines of code or cut-and-paste someone else's work can qualify you as a programmer, but the guy who comes up with new solutions to old problems is the one who makes the front page.\n\nNotes/manuals/gurus.  Only a few people can rely on their own memory recall and creativity.  Sometimes that fails you and you absolutely have to have other 'eyes' to rely on.  The programmer who has piles of notes, a stack of manuals on the desk, and easy access to other programmers who also know what they're talking about is the one who can slip on creativity and still end up on the front page.
844769
You need to have good File Organization knowledge, combined with good programming skills.
785252
--being meticulous..\n--not being stubborn (you always have to be willing to learn)..\n--naming conventions for variables, filenames, tables, etc...\n--picking a specific language set to master instead of jack of all   trades...\n--knowing databases schemas\n--understanding how your program interacts with the database through networking.\n--OSI model\n--always thinking about automating in some fashion\n--the better you are at interacting with the user of your program for beginning specs, the better it will be for that person when it is complete (we are smart, but cannot read minds).
277138
meaning, programming with a style that is consistent throughout the project, and be readable by other people that do not write the program easily. It's important since you could be looking up at a code that you haven't touched for years and found out how messy the code is, and be stupidly looking the code working out how everything work from scratch again
1025766
to be a good programmer u need \n\ngood conceptual knowledge in which language u know...\nlogical thinking...\neasy approach to solve the problem\npatience\nadjusting mentality with ur collegues(this is due to the internal politics)
196685
The "cookie cutter" answer is someone who is able to take business requirements and objectives, and make a meaningful application that is able to solve that particular business problem. The best Java developers will not only take into consideration the actual business problem being solved, but will also create a "framework" of which that problem solving application can be used for a multitude of other business problems. Also, the typical request for java developers is to have a myriad of different skills other than technical; As in, "With a financial services background", or "Help desk background". It's important to understand that Java development & related technologies in and of itself is not that important. It's being able to apply Java and it's related technologies to best solve unique business problems in the easiest(most of the times "best") way possible. That's a double edged sword. The easiest is quite often not the best. Here's a typical Job posting for a "Java Developer":  \n\n7-8 years of solid programming in skills in Java/J2EE, C#, etc. Must have finacial industry experince. \n\nExperience in building enteprise applications in J2EE. \n\nExperience in building enterprise framework integrating varous business processes. \n\nExperience in Web development. \n\nExcellent communication and academic background is a must. \n\nSome basic knowledge of databases required. \n\nScripting, especially Perl \n\nBasic Linux & Windows systems administration \n\nAs you can see, most employers are not looking for someone who can "code" java. A lot of people can do that.  What they are looking for is industry expertise that can help them solve those business problems. Which usually involves not only Java, but C#, perl, <insert any other language or scriping language here> and system adminstration duties as well. Please also note the "background" stuff they always seem to ask for. The best way to get a particular "background" is to intern somewhere that will give you experience in an area you find most interesting(this typically will keep you motivated).. Other than that, don't learn only Java. Learn J2EE, learn SQL & Databases(the big ones are Oracle, DB2, & MSSQL) learn Java beans(which are related to J2EE), learn XML, and for the love of pete learn to read javadocs! There's a lot of problems that have already been solved in existing java classes that are out there on the internet. Java is to be reused and "should" run anywhere(not too often the case in enterprise software).. A real good place to start is http://java.sun.com This is pretty much just a brain dump on my part.  I hope this helped.\nThanks!\n~Chris
355787
A lecturer once gave me some advice.  He was on an interview panel and gave some code to a potential candidate.  He asked what was wrong with the code - as it turns out there was nothing wrong with it, but he wanted to see how the candidate deals with logical progession in program flow.  That said, I have added some links to a sites you may find useful as a starting point . . .
677525
Self confidence, manners, and class are up there for me. Looks help out identify someone but in the end its who they are as a person. Being open minded but logical and moral are a must.
311935
They are good in their own ways. Programmers require a lot of critical thinking, and problem solving.\n\nA designer uses his creativity to design, create new ideas to get our attention.\n\nThey are both important. Like making a game, you can't do without either one... =)
256956
to be a good programmer you need to work hard. you have to practise a lot, allow yurself to think of solutions to problems, think of yourself as a problem solver and it will work great for you. Extensive research also will be very helpful.\nGOOD LUCK!!!!
766638
Congratulations on picking such an excellent career path at such a young age!\n\nIn order for you to prepare yourself you need to have a very good understanding of math.  In your math classes always ask "how?", "why?" and "prove it for me."\n\nProgramming (what software engineers do all day) is based on describing the world in terms of math and simple commands.  Also, you should develop problem solving skills.  You will need to understand multiple ways of doing the same thing, and which one is the fastest, or which one is the most efficienty, or which one is the most convient.\n\nMy first programming language was Visual Basic.  I have since learned how to program in C++ (pronounce "see plus plus") , Java, C# (pronounce "see sharp") and a few other programming languages.  Any of those languages would be a good starting point for a beginning programmer.\n\nIf you want to start programming as soon as possible, be sure to get a good beginner's book on any of the previously mentioned programming languages.  Even if you can't write your own programs yet, nothing will beat reading a good book on the programming language you're interested in.\n\nCongratulations and good luck!
946550
I've been a programmer for 30 years.  In my experience programmers don't like to be shown up as wrong.  They aren't narcissists as much as egotists and I think that's what drives many of them to do a good job, create trouble with viruses, etc.
39629
Well, it's a challenging job. But, if you have a flair for it, you can really excel. Time constraints and pressures will be there quite often, but if you have the urge to learn more, then it won't be a problem. A good indicator to gauge the extent of your interest in programming would be -- Do you feel a sense of accomplishment or satisfaction after successfully executing a complex program??