Is it worth learning programming on 1C?

Why do you need the 1C programming language?

To work with the 1C: Enterprise system. This is a platform for automating business processes, which is used by almost every Russian company.

The main task of the system is to quickly create working programs using ready-made solutions. Through the 1C: Enterprise platform you can keep track of goods, submit accounting reports, calculate salaries, etc.

And all these solutions are written in the 1C programming language – it is domain-specific, that is, it is designed to work with a narrow range of tasks.

What does a 1C developer do?

It depends on the company and its needs, so the list of responsibilities of a 1C developer is quite vague. For example, he can modify current ones or create his own configurations – ready-made programs for solving business problems.

But to summarize, a 1C developer, as a rule, does the following:

• selects a suitable configuration for business needs that does not require much modification;
• installs 1C programs on the server and computers and teaches employees how to use these programs;
• refines standard configurations to suit business requests: for example, customizes the user interface, adds non-standard reports or other objects;
• configures and administers databases, connects new users to them;
• carries out integration of 1C programs with each other and with external systems. One of the most common examples is the exchange of data between a Bitrix website and the 1C: Trade Management program;
• maintains and updates 1C software;
• conducts testing and fixes bugs.

Essentially, a 1C developer is both a programmer and a system administrator.

Who should learn the 1C programming language

For beginners who want to get into IT. In this sense, the 1C language has many advantages. The main one is the low entry threshold.

✔ 1C has a very simple syntax. Plus, it supports both Russian and English. More often than not, 1C developers write in Russian – it’s easier to write logic in their native language. In addition, you don’t have to worry about translation.

✔ 1C is based on the low-code concept. Inside the 1C: Enterprise platform there are already all the necessary tools for developing simple algorithms: reports, screen forms, data libraries, etc. The developer just has to assemble them into a single mechanism.

Thanks to ready-made solutions and tools that work out of the box, June 1C begins to benefit the business much faster than, for example, its June counterparts in other programming languages.

To start in the profession, it is enough to know:

• programming basics – to modify or write the necessary algorithms from scratch;
• syntax and semantics of the 1C language;
• main configuration objects of “1C: Enterprise”: constants, directories, documents, reports, registers, etc.;
• 1C query language – to read data;
• standard 1C programs – several are better
  The main five:
  — “1C: Accounting”
  — “1C: Salary and personnel management”
  — “1C: Managing our company”
  — “1C: Trade Management”
  – “1C: Retail”.

Another significant advantage of the 1C language is a relatively simple transition to another stack. Despite its specificity, it is similar to other popular languages ​​and has given many developers a start in the profession.

What prospects does the profession have?

There are more of them than it seems: a 1C developer can write code, or he can develop towards system architecture, business analytics, or even product management. Moreover, the transition from one direction to another will be quite smooth, since 1C-nick, as a rule, is well immersed in a specific subject area.

Essentially, it takes tasks in business language and translates them into a programming language. Therefore, 1C developers have a good understanding of business processes, the needs of the company and the management side – this can be further developed.

If you want to do programming specifically, there will always be enough work for 1C people on the Russian market, since a huge number of companies work on the 1C: Enterprise platform. Plus, organizations are actively hiring even beginner specialists.

Why do programmers dislike 1C so much?

The 1C system itself is complex and limited – it is difficult to scale. If a Java developer needs (conditionally) a working day to solve a problem, a 1C programmer may need a week and a sharp mind to implement the same solution on the platform.

In addition, the 1C ecosystem is as closed as possible. For example, when collective development tools were needed for standard programs, the 1C company created its own repository, which does not support other popular tools.

Because of this, 1C programmers find themselves isolated from the external environment – everything necessary for work, even if not always convenient, is already on the platform.

Advice for 1C developers (and not only)

Looking outside the 1C ecosystem more often and studying other technologies and tools will make it easier to switch to a new stack and expand your career prospects.

Learn web development, see how other accounting systems work, and look for new opportunities for growth.

Are there any 1C developers among you? Do you think it’s worth getting into programming using the 1C language?