Casual programmer in my spare time, and a semi casual programmer at work: I believe strongly in the use of automation to save effort and regularly make micro tools for performing quick tasks.

I use a variety of languages: C (ANSI), Java, Dos Batches, and also believe in using Excel spreadsheets as a form of langauge for data processing. I often combine several steps in different language where it is more effective.

While only a a casual programmer I consider myself to be good at thinking like a programmer and am fast at planning data architectures, optimising for efficient running, and algorithm development. I believe the secret of good software design is not technique as much as mindset: I often think like a machine (and have about as bad a sense of humour!)