In the dynamically changing world of IT, certain fundamentals remain consistently important. One of them is understanding networks. For years, there were debates about whether this was solely the domain of administrators. Today, in the era of cloud computing, microservices, and ubiquitous DevOps, the answer is clear: YES, a programmer needs to understand networks.
In the past, a “battle” between developers and administrators was a common occurrence. Today, these roles are merging, and network awareness is crucial to avoid frustration and create truly functional solutions.
Here are a few examples that confirm this:
- Web Application Optimization: You’ve written great front-end code, but the page loads slowly? A programmer who understands how HTTP headers, caching, or network latency work will quickly diagnose the problem, instead of fruitlessly searching for a bug in JavaScript. Without network knowledge, even the best code won’t reach the user to its full potential. (Check how browser developer tools help analyze network traffic).
- Microservices Debugging: When one service fails to communicate with another, the problem often lies outside the code. It could be firewall misconfigurations, Load Balancer issues, DNS problems, or incorrect network ACLs. A programmer with network knowledge doesn’t just write code – they understand the entire ecosystem, capable of diagnosing and solving the problem.
- Cloud Deployment (DevOps): Are you configuring VPCs, Security Groups, or Network ACLs? In a cloud environment (AWS, Azure, GCP), the network is the backbone of your infrastructure. Incorrect configuration will make your application unavailable or insecure, even if its code is perfect. The network is not an add-on – it’s part of every successful deployment. (Learn the basics of cloud networking, e.g., AWS VPC).
- Data Warehouse and Reporting System Performance: You write an SQL query that works logically, but the report takes hours to generate? This often happens because inefficient queries transfer gigabytes of data over the network, instead of just the necessary information. A programmer with network knowledge understands how data transfer impacts overall system performance and can write queries with network load minimization in mind.
The above examples clearly show that the domain of an administrator or a programmer alone is often insufficient to effectively solve problems. An administrator could at best provide system logs or add more RAM, but they couldn’t refactor application code or an ETL process, because they simply had no knowledge of it. Similarly, does it make sense to hire an expensive ethical hacker to find basic vulnerabilities that a regular tester should have caught during the early stages of software development? This is like treating symptoms instead of preventing causes.
With the dynamic development of technology, especially the expansion of networks and the connection of an increasing number of everyday devices (IoT), the complexity of systems grows, along with the potential exposure to cyber threats. In response to this challenge, instead of merely reverting to classic software engineering, cybersecurity specialists are increasingly being hired to identify vulnerabilities. However, many serious security problems originate from oversights in architectural design and insufficient pre-deployment testing. The true goal is to integrate security at every stage – from design to deployment (DevSecOps). Even renowned organizations like ISTQB have recognized the need for specialized knowledge, introducing certifications such as Certified Tester – Security Tester. (More about ISTQB Certified Tester – Security Tester).
This is precisely why understanding networks is the first step to becoming truly independent in IT. You don’t have to be an administrator to benefit from this knowledge. It is a crucial skill for every conscious developer, whether you code in Python, Java, or build front-ends.
This is why my blog programista1024.pl features the post “First Steps in the World of LAN – Simple and Understandable” (published in Polish and aimed primarily at students in Polish schools): https://programista1024.pl/2025/07/10/pierwsze-kroki-w-swiecie-lan-prosto-i-zrozumiale/.
This is an introduction to LAN networking concepts, one of the fundamental areas covered by the qualifications obtained by IT Technicians (INF.02). Importantly, the IT Technician pathway typically includes INF.02 and INF.03, whereas the Programming Technician pathway encompasses INF.03 and INF.04, but generally does not include INF.02. This raises a crucial question: Are we creating a knowledge gap in low-level topics for today’s programmers, architects, and testers in their education? An explanation of what these abbreviations mean can be found at the end of this article.
This highlights a key principle: before you build advanced applications and databases, you must understand how they communicate and operate within a network. Without this foundation, even the best code will be “coding in the dark.”
Understanding networks is the boundary between coding and true implementation. The better you know network fundamentals, the less you’ll be surprised in production – whether you’re coding or administering.
What are your experiences with the impact of network knowledge on your IT work? Share in the comments!
Explanation of Polish IT Qualifications (INF.02, INF.03, INF.04):
These are specific vocational qualifications within the Polish educational system, primarily for students attending technical high schools (technikum) or vocational schools. They define the scope of knowledge and skills required for specific IT professions.
- INF.02 (Administration and operation of computer systems, peripheral devices and local computer networks): This is the foundational qualification for an IT Technician (Technik Informatyk). It focuses on the basics of computer hardware assembly, maintenance of peripheral devices, and, crucially, networking fundamentals (e.g., LAN setup, cabling, basic network protocols, operating system configuration for network access). It’s the entry point to understanding IT infrastructure.
- INF.03 (Creating and administering websites, web applications, and databases): This is a more specialized qualification. For the IT Technician pathway, it is often taken after INF.02. For the Programming Technician (Technik Programista) pathway, it is also a core qualification. It covers skills related to web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, server-side languages), database design and administration (SQL, database management systems), and web application deployment.
- INF.04 (Application design, programming and testing): This is another specialized qualification primarily for the Programming Technician (Technik Programista), serving as an extension to INF.03. It focuses more deeply on programming concepts, software development methodologies, advanced database programming, and administration.
The point made in the post is that INF.02 (networking and hardware basics) represents a fundamental knowledge base crucial for truly understanding IT systems and their operation. While it is an integral part of the IT Technician pathway, and often a direct prerequisite for INF.03 within that path, its foundational concepts are also highly beneficial for those pursuing more advanced programming qualifications like INF.04, even if not formally required in that specific pathway. Ultimately, you need to understand how computers and networks work at a basic level before you can effectively build and deploy complex software solutions.
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