What does "programmer" mean?

1. (software developer) a person whose job is to write instructions for computers to follow. 2. (media scheduler) someone who chooses which shows or songs are played on TV or radio. 3. (hardware device) a machine used to put software onto another device. 4. (short film) a short movie shown before a longer main movie.

programmer

US //ˈpɹoʊˌɡɹæmɝ// UK //pɹˈəʊɡɹæmɐ// pro·gram·mer

1 software developer (n.)
A2 Elementary Computing

a person whose job is to write instructions for computers to follow.

a professional who writes, tests, and maintains the source code of computer software.

Example

The programmer spent all afternoon fixing a small mistake in the website's code.

Example

The lead programmer implemented a more efficient algorithm to reduce the application's memory usage during peak traffic hours.
- developer
- coder
- software engineer
2 media scheduler (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

someone who chooses which shows or songs are played on TV or radio.

an executive responsible for selecting and scheduling content for a television or radio station.

Example

The radio programmer decided to play more local music during the morning show.

Example

As a television programmer, she must balance popular sitcoms with educational documentaries to satisfy both the audience and the network's legal requirements.
- scheduler
- content manager

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3 hardware device (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Computing

a machine used to put software onto another device.

a hardware device used to install or configure software or firmware in another electronic component.

Example

You need a special programmer to update the chip inside the car's engine.

Example

The technician connected the universal programmer to the circuit board to flash the latest firmware onto the microcontroller.
4 short film (n.)
C2 Proficiency Archaic

a short movie shown before a longer main movie.

a short cinematic feature included as part of a larger theatrical programme.

Example

In the old days, the cinema would show a short programmer before the main film started.

Example

The archive contains several low-budget programmers that were originally produced to fill the time between major studio releases in the 1940s.
- short
- featurette

Origin

*program + -er (US) / programme + -er (UK)