I search the web frantically looking for that magic piece of code, to fix what I broke by doing a search frantically on the web, looking for that magic piece of code.

When I was working as a software developer in my previous company:

I build web apps for customers in Banking and Insurance sector.

Now:

I run Hashnode, a global network of software developers. My day to day job includes:

• Working with our tech team to ship features
• Working with authors to publish great stories
• Managing the overall infrastructure so that the website runs smoothly

And some other things...

I have a small explanation, and a medium sized explanation. If they ask I'll begin with:

I build websites, my job is making sure websites look as good and are just as easy to use on phone and tablets as they are on a computer.

If they ask for more details about it, I usually explain digital architecture + commerce with an analogy to architecture + commerce they can relate to: a retail store. If asked for more details about my work I'll continue to explain it this way:

Imagine you're a business and a large portion of your customers, maybe 40% or more, are wheelchair-bound. If you make profit by people coming into your store and spending their money, then it makes sense to build a ramp so the extra 40% of your potential customers can get into your store with their money and spend it. I'm like a ramp builder for websites, helping businesses reach more people, and in turn have a real chance of making a lot more profit.

I modify the 'architecture' of online businesses to make them more accessible to customers.

I am primarily a backend engineer, so I have been at the receiving end of quite a few blank stares when I tell people I build APIs. The last time someone asked me, they had just added me on Snapchat, so I used the example of Snapchat to explain what I do.

The answer I gave (not the best one, but I tried my best to make a layman understand): The moment you tap the add friend button on my profile, there is a computer sitting somewhere is America that knows you have requested to be my friend, through a message sent from your phone to the computer in America. The computer should now do a bunch of operations and make sure that I as an end user know that you have added me as a friend and show me a notification. As an API engineer, I design and build those operations.

Actually I explain everyone the overall business I'm doing not the exact work I'm doing.

Mostly, sleep. Occasionally, drink coffee. Other than that, wait for the weekend...

My grandfather always asks me this. And I always say "I am working on computer". He think i am a computer operator. :) ;) Thanks @mistiqueblue for asking.

Niece : What do you do at work? Me: I make websites. Niece: Oh! Like Facebook?! Me: Exactly

I usually try to relate it to something else similar in real life. For example, If I'm designing the front-end for an app, I explain that I'm the person who designed a cupcake store and operates it day-to-day, rather than the kitchen in the back of the same store. The cupcake store being the 'app'. Sorry if that sounds ridiculous haha.

I chew gum and well we all know the rest ;)

"I program".

That's pretty much it; with the occasional "programs are the stuff that runs in your computer/cell phone".