Crossword Genius

Company man works as a programmer (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

codes

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'works as a programmer' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'company man' is the wordplay.
'company' becomes 'co' (abbreviation).
'man' becomes 'des' ().
'co'+'des'='CODES'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for codes that I've seen before include "Sets of rules or cryptograms" , "Symbolic systems" , "Word systems devised to create secrecy" , "System of letters etc for the purpose of secrecy" , "Ciphers" .)

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