Welcome to the Treehouse Community

Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.

Looking to learn something new?

Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.

Start your free trial

General Discussion

Andrew Young
PLUS
Andrew Young
Courses Plus Student 639 Points

What's the difference between coder and programmer?

We all know there isn't a job title call coder so let's not talk this point.

I found out some articles said recently as Scratch, Hour of Code etc. has been released the term code has to be more like playful/fun programming with blocks, buttons instead of the complex text-only programming.

As programmer they said, they're more likely to master a few languages (e.g. HTML & CSS & JS) and helps others to build apps, they're professional instead of someone who just play with some blocks.

So here's the question, should you introduce yourself as a coder or a programmer or both ok? (Let's say you are more like the programmer who master some languages)

And will you got some negative points in the interview if you say yourself is a coder?

Will big tech companies (Google, FaceBook) hire someone who introduces they're coder?

3 Answers

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,236 Points

I'm only aware of these terms being synonyms, and that "coder" is a more informal term. If you're meeting with peers, I can't see how it would make a difference if you describe yourself with either.

But I would recommend sticking with the more formal terms when talking with management or other non-technical types. In those situations I usually prefer "Software Developer" to either of those.

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,236 Points

I like that "developer" is in the middle and covers all the bases. :wink:

E Mula
E Mula
5,081 Points

i say programmer,but there is still a lot of titles in between