---
title: programmer — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «programmer» in the school dictionary: A programmer is a person who writes computer programs: instructions that tell a computer what to do. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# programmer

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** programmer, person, instructions, mum, Programmers, We · **What happens:** be, write, tell, do, plan, make · **To what, where:** person, computer programs, computer, programmes, programmer, apps · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«programmer» in the school dictionary: its 2 meanings for a pupil and its 8 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [programmer in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/programmer.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A programmer is a person who writes computer programs: instructions that tell a computer what to do.

<!-- fold The tree, 17 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:programmer:m1:1
# text = A programmer is a person who writes computer programs: instructions that tell a computer what to do.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	programmer	programmer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	person	person	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	7	nsubj	_	_
7	writes	write	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	acl:relcl	_	_
8	computer	computer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	compound	_	_
9	programs	program	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	11	punct	_	_
11	instructions	instruction	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	appos	_	_
12	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	13	nsubj	_	_
13	tell	tell	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	11	acl:relcl	_	_
14	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	15	det	_	_
15	computer	computer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	iobj	_	_
16	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	18	obj	_	_
17	to	to	PART	TO	_	18	mark	_	_
18	do	do	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	13	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a programmer | a person |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **write** | present | a person | computer programs |  |  |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent program=Theme |
| 3 | **tell** *speech: assert* | present | instructions |  | a computer |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Agent computer=Recipient clause=Topic |
| 4 | **do** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent what=Eventuality |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A programmer can also be a person who plans programmes for TV or radio.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:programmer:m2:1
# text = A programmer can also be a person who plans programmes for TV or radio.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	programmer	programmer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
3	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	7	aux	_	_
4	also	also	ADV	RB	_	7	advmod	_	_
5	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	7	cop	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	person	person	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
8	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	9	nsubj	_	_
9	plans	plan	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	acl:relcl	_	_
10	programmes	programme	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	obj	_	_
11	for	for	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
12	TV	TV	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	_
13	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	14	cc	_	_
14	radio	radio	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | can | a programmer | a person |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **plan** | present | a person | programmes |  |  |  | for TV or radio | vn intend-61.2-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent programme=Topic |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
My mum is a programmer who makes apps.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:programmer:x1:1
# text = My mum is a programmer who makes apps.
1	My	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	mum	mum	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	programmer	programmer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	7	nsubj	_	_
7	makes	make	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	acl:relcl	_	_
8	apps	app	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | My mum | a programmer |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **make** | present | a programmer | apps |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent app=Product |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Programmers write code.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:programmer:x2:1
# text = Programmers write code.
1	Programmers	programmer	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	write	write	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	code	code	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **write** | present | Programmers | code |  |  |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent code=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We were programmers in computing class today.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:programmer:x3:1
# text = We were programmers in computing class today.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	were	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
3	programmers	programmer	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	_
4	in	in	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	computing	computing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	class	class	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nmod	_	_
7	today	today	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl:unmarked	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | past | We | programmers |  | computing class | today |  | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The game was made by a team of programmers.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:programmer:x4:1
# text = The game was made by a team of programmers.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	game	game	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux:pass	_	_
4	made	make	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
5	by	by	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	team	team	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	programmers	programmer	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | past · passive | a team of programmers | the game |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset subject=Product |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A programmer fixes bugs in the code.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:programmer:x5:1
# text = A programmer fixes bugs in the code.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	programmer	programmer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	fixes	fix	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	bugs	bug	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	code	code	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **fix** | present | a programmer | bugs |  | the code |  |  | vn shake-22.3-2 «NP V NP together»: agent=Agent bug=Patient |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He wants to be a games programmer.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:programmer:x6:1
# text = He wants to be a games programmer.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	wants	want	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
4	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	7	cop	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	games	game	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	compound	_	_
7	programmer	programmer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **want** | present | He |  |  |  |  |  | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Pivot |
| 2 | **is a** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | He *not said here* | a games programmer |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Programmers use loops and variables.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:programmer:x7:1
# text = Programmers use loops and variables.
1	Programmers	programmer	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	use	use	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	loops	loop	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
4	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	variables	variable	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | present | Programmers | loops and variables |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent loop=Patient |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The programmer tested the program carefully.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:programmer:x8:1
# text = The programmer tested the program carefully.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	programmer	programmer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	tested	test	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	program	program	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	carefully	carefully	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **test** | past | the programmer | the program |  |  |  | carefully *property* | vn assessment-34.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent program=Theme |

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**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

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