10 Most Common Types of Web Developers

Do you know any developers? If you work with a group of them, you may notice that they each have their own unique quirks and personalities. In fact, I’m going to group them together in this post.

Developers have their own individual preferences and work styles, even if they have the same job. Let’s take a look at the 10 most common groups of developers. See if you can identify yourself or one of your colleagues in these descriptions.

1. The Purists

When it comes to developers, there are those who like to stick to the tried and true methods, you might even know a couple of English teachers who fit this description. The developers I have in mind aren’t quite as strict, but they definitely lean towards a more traditional approach. They aren’t big fans of using frameworks or libraries.

These purists are the type of developers who prefer working with plain JavaScript rather than relying on JQuery. They have no problem using pure languages and sticking to traditional methods. In fact, they get a little annoyed when they come across yet another new framework or library. To them, extra libraries just add unnecessary bulk.

Let me tell you something, just because people say they don’t use these things in real life, doesn’t mean it’s true. Trust me, it’s hard not to use them when job postings nowadays require you to have expertise in jQuery. Even if some people seem rigid or closed-minded, you can’t ignore the truth in what they’re saying.

Now let’s talk about the Doers. They’re the ones who prioritize getting the job done above all else. You can guarantee they have the latest frameworks, libraries, and workflows set up. They even have ready-made modules within modules, all neatly organized for easy use in their projects.

These Doers thrive in start-up environments where they can implement all these tools for smooth and efficient production. You can easily spot a Doer by their use of task runners like grunt or gulp.

And finally, we have the Polyglots. These are the individuals who excel in multiple programming languages. They have a wide range of skills and can adapt to different coding environments. Polyglots are like language connoisseurs, able to speak and write fluently in various programming languages.

So, in conclusion, we have the Skeptics, the Doers, and the Polyglots. Each group brings something unique to the table, and it’s important to recognize and appreciate their different skillsets and approaches to coding.

Hey there! Did you know that polyglots are the cool kids in the programming world? They’re the ones who rock multiple programming languages like pros. It’s like juggling SQL and SASS at a circus! But here’s a secret: in web development, you can’t escape using more than one language, even if you focus on backend stuff. So, if you know at least 4-5 languages, you can proudly call yourself a polyglot. How awesome is that?

I think most polyglots become who they are because of their work situation rather than by choice. Not everyone has the luxury of having separate frontend developers or designers. But either way, they approach a new language with more confidence than anyone else, and they learn fast. Don’t feel overwhelmed by them, though, because some may be Jack of all trades but masters of none.

4. The Perfectionists

When I say perfectionist programmer, I don’t mean the ones who aim to write the most perfect, flawless codes. The real perfectionists are the ones who look, code, and go beyond coding. They leave comments, pay attention to naming variables, and do the dirty work, like documentation, among other things.

Let’s be honest, when was the last time you left a long comment or wrote a guide for your software? Probably not recently, unless you’re a perfectionist, which is pretty rare if you ask me. Most developers don’t bother with that stuff (even though documentation is really important. Take a look at what Thoriq Firdaus has to say about it).

Number 5: The Artsy

In the world of web development, these folks are fluent in CSS. They’re all about shapes, colors, animations, filters, and all the other visual elements. If you want to find them, just head over to Codepen.

When it comes to designing, I may not be an expert. However, I am a developer who brings my art to life through code, rather than relying on Adobe Illustrator or After Effects. Combining my skills with those of a designer is like spreading butter on bread — it creates a smooth and powerful combination.

6. The Reuser

Not all of us are eager to dive right in and start writing a generic class or method to handle repeated blocks of code. We tend to save that part for later, during the optimization stage. Of course, this usually happens after we’ve successfully met a tight deadline and had a little time to relax.

You know what’s impressive? Reusers know exactly what they’re doing. They start by creating a solid foundation of reusable code snippets right from the start, which ends up saving them a ton of time when it comes to optimizing later. These folks are experienced developers who can easily predict when a block of code is going to be used more than once. Seriously, there’s not a single project they work on that doesn’t have a jam-packed global file or utility class.

7. The Bookworms

Let me tell you a story about my very first VB Lab. The day before, my professor gave us a set of instructions to put together a form. Unfortunately, I missed the demonstration at the beginning of class because I arrived late. I managed to scribble down a few instructions, but it wasn’t nearly enough to save me. To make matters worse, I was sitting too far away from my friends to be able to rely on sign language or lip reading for help.

So, there I was, faced with the daunting task of putting all the requirements together in my form. What could I do? Well, I did what any dedicated student would do – I turned to my trusted textbook. I became a bookworm, diving deep into its pages to find the knowledge I needed.

And you know what? It paid off. Not only did I impress my Professor with my comprehensive form, but I also went above and beyond by adding a unique background image. None of my classmates had thought of that, but thanks to my bookworm habits, I knew just how to do it.

It’s not just me, though. I’ve noticed that many of my fellow programmers and logic masters have desks that are overflowing with books. They’re true bookworms, always seeking out new knowledge and wisdom. Sometimes they stumble upon valuable insights by chance, and those are the best kind!

8. The Debuggers

When it comes to debugging, it’s like being a detective. You’re on a mission to find and fix those sneaky bugs that mess up your code. It’s not just about fixing your own mistakes; sometimes, you have to solve problems in someone else’s code too, which can be a real challenge!

I’m pretty knowledgeable when it comes to debugging tools and options, whether it’s in a browser or an IDE. But let’s not forget, debugging is all about understanding the flow of events and being able to spot the trigger that sets everything off.

Now, when it comes to debugging someone else’s code, that’s when things get really interesting. Debuggers like me have to dig through line after line of code, searching for any missing ‘if’, ‘else’, ‘or’, ‘and’, or even just a lonely semi-colon.

9. The Researchers

Now, there are some people out there who see code as more than just code. For them, it’s like a whole topic of study. They jump into forums, write blog posts, and engage in Q&A sessions on StackOverflow. They’re not here to preach or judge; they just want to share the knowledge they’ve gained from carefully dissecting code. You see, every code we write serves a purpose, but sometimes it comes with unintended side effects.

As a coder, I always strive to understand every aspect of code. I search for documentations, conduct experiments, and most importantly, share my findings with others. I am truly grateful for the Researchers out there who dedicate their time to uncovering the secrets of coding.

10. The Sociables

Even though we often copy code from one another, we still feel connected as part of a community that lives and breathes code. While we may be physically alone in front of our computers, we never feel lonely. However, I do admit that my social skills can take a hit from spending so much time coding.

And then, there are the Sociables. They meet up with you for drinks, tell geeky jokes, talk about the latest and greatest about the field, are excited about upcoming releases, hardware or software, engage in opportunities, networking possibilities, and if time permits, swap phones with you so you can both try out a different operating system. Do you know a Sociable among your friends who are developers?

Wrap Up

Some of you are likely to have a friend who fits into a few groups, sometimes in overlapping ways, and other times in conflicting ways – don’t worry, we don’t judge. In the end, we are all developers. But I’m curious, which group of developers do you feel most connected to? Let us know in the comments.