Programming ≠ Creating a product. Beyond the algorithm

Mar 1, 2025

Have you ever built something convinced that it would be a success… only to realize that in the end, no one uses it? Today, we’re shifting gears a bit to talk about something that I find very interesting and that is often misunderstood: programming vs. product development. What is the difference between programming and creating a product? Why is it important to distinguish between them? What role does each play in software development? While this may seem obvious to some, it’s not always so clear—especially at the beginning. Let’s dive in!

I’ve seen incredibly talented programmers fail at creating products, while others, who were less skilled in coding, succeeded. The key difference? Creating a product requires a completely different set of skills that don’t always get the attention they deserve during traditional education, especially when coming from a programming or computer science background. Communication, design, marketing, business strategy, economics, leadership, decision-making… all these areas play a fundamental role.

I learned this the hard way. Over the years, I’ve worked on multiple projects that are now sitting in the drawer of forgotten ideas. Each had its own story, but common reasons for failure included lack of business knowledge, inexperience, limited resources, or simply lack of time. Yet, despite these setbacks, every single one of these projects was a valuable step in my transformation from programmer to entrepreneur.

I started by creating an app for myself, a simple tool to track my working hours so I could generate a summary at the end of the month. Over time, that app evolved into a product that now generates most of my income. Without even realizing it, I was taking my first step as a product creator.

This is one of the biggest mistakes many programmers make when starting out. We ignore the business side. We focus solely on the technical aspects—on writing code—without considering all the other factors that play a crucial role in a product’s success. But understanding those aspects beyond our technical expertise—business strategy, marketing, user experience—is what can give us a real competitive advantage. At the end of the day, whether working as an employee or running your own business, our job is to create, maintain, and improve a product that delivers real value to its users. If we ignore the parts that don’t interest us, the product will likely fail.

An app without users is as useless as a clock without hands.

Programming is a technical skill that can be learned and refined with practice. It’s the process of writing code to create software. But building a product is a much broader process—it involves identifying a problem, developing a solution, and delivering value to users. Programming is just one part of that process. It’s important—very important—but it’s not everything.

That’s why market research, user studies, and validation are key steps before launching a product. Even if we have a great idea and execute it perfectly, if there is no market for it, it will fail.

One of the greatest things about programming is that it gives us the tools to create software without a huge financial investment. We can quickly build prototypes and Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) to validate our ideas, iterate efficiently, and adapt to market changes. Programming is one of the few disciplines where you can create something tangible and deliver value to the world, all from the comfort of your home, without massive expenses.

WorkIO has now been around for over 10 years. It has gone through many phases and continues to evolve. But tell me, would you be willing to dedicate 10 years of your life to a single product? To maintain the same passion, the same excitement, and the same drive from day one?

It’s not easy. But if you truly believe in your product and your vision, it’s possible. That said, maybe it’s not for you.

Time series graph showing data evolution over time from 2020 to 2025. It features multiple lines with regular fluctuations, highlighting peaks and declines in different periods. At the bottom, there is a flatter line with small square markers.

Code is ephemeral, but a product—ideally—should be long-lasting. When we bring an idea to life through programming, we usually do it with a goal in mind—whether economic, social, personal, or otherwise. Most of the time, these are medium- or long-term objectives. That’s why it’s crucial to remember that the code we write today may become useless in the future.

So, instead of obsessing over tools, languages, or frameworks, it’s better to focus on the ultimate goal: building a great product.

But there’s much more to consider. Creating a product means sustaining it, improving it, and making it grow. This requires a willingness to learn, adapt, and, most importantly, be patient without giving up.

One of the biggest challenges in building a product is a lack of patience. Most people expect immediate results, and when they don’t get them, they quit. Building a product is a long and complicated journey, full of ups and downs. But if you stay persistent and put in the work, the rewards can be significant.

Don’t underestimate marketing. As much as we may dislike it, marketing is a fundamental part of any product. How you manage it will determine the difference between success and failure. In fact, I’d even go as far as to say: you can grow without marketing, but it will be painfully slow. There are many ways to do marketing, and not all of them require paid campaigns. While in most cases investing money speeds up results, you can also grow organically—through social media, SEO, email marketing, and other strategies.

Each product is unique. The lessons learned from failure or success always add value, but they will never guarantee success in your next project. There will always be factors you can’t control—elements that may tip the scales in either direction.

That’s why surrounding yourself with experts in different fields is crucial whenever possible. Building a product requires knowledge in many areas beyond programming, and it’s nearly impossible for one person to master them all. The key is to find and work with people who can fill the gaps in your expertise.

As I mentioned before, not everyone wants to become an entrepreneur or dive into the business side of things. But whether or not that’s your path, understanding these aspects will help you see the bigger picture, make better decisions, and develop a broader perspective on product creation.

Building a product is much more than just writing code.

It’s about understanding your users, learning about business, and being willing to adapt constantly. Programming is a powerful tool, but without strategy, vision, and patience, even the best-written code in the world can end up forgotten. If you truly want your product to have an impact, you need to think beyond the code.

I’ve made countless mistakes throughout my journey as an entrepreneur—mistakes I wasn’t even aware of until much later. But every single one of them has been a lesson.

So, if I could give you just one piece of advice, it would be this: Don’t be afraid to fail. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Don’t be afraid to surround yourself with people smarter than you. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

Mistakes are inevitable, but they are also what makes building products exciting. Step by step, mistake by mistake, you get closer to your goal, improving with each iteration.

And above all… Happy Coding!