How do you define a polyglot programmer?

Question

What is your definition of a polyglot programmer?

Answer 1

I would say the one that speaks at least two or three languages, like Spanish and English, and can program in at least one computer language, like C# or Java...

Answer 2

Someone who writes programs in whichever language they think of first.

Answer 3

Not just multilingual, but selects the right language for the right job. Mixes languages to get the best solution.

Answer 4

Someone who writes programs in an appropriate language for the task, and knows enough to make that call.

Answer 5

someone who can not only code in multiple languages, but also knows which language is the best to use in any given situation.

Answer 6

A programmer that knows at least 3 languages well that aren't closely related.

Answer 7

Someone who knows several different languages that are varied enough to make a difference (knowing Java and C# are too similar in constructs for example) and be adept enough to recognize ways to make the best use of some number of languages to solve a problem by mixing up the solution. A good polygot programmer doesn't just throw in "other" languages because they're cool or new. They have to exist for a reason. For example using Ruby to build a DSL makes more sense as it lends itself towards that solution (vs C# for example) but Ruby may not be the most effective language for say an embedded system. Being able to mix the two (or three, or four) together in a harmonious way is where polygot programming excels.

Answer 8

By definition, me. ;-)
Bruce Wallace
President,
PolyGlot, Inc.
Slogan since 1980: "We speak the many languages of computing"
http://www.PolyglotInc.com/