Exploring The Career Of A Computer Programmer

Essay, Research Paper

Exploring the Career of A Computer Programmer

I. Job Description

A. Role of Computer Programmer

B. Nature of Work

II. Educational Preparation

A. High School

B. Postsecondary Education

III. Potential Earnings

A. Lowest Paid

B. Average ( Median )

C. Highest Paid

IV. Possible Benefits

A. Discounts

B. Use of Company Equipment

V. Possible Liabilities

A. Eye Strain

B. Back Discomfort

C. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The rapid spread of computers in today s society has bought forth the demand for more people to build, write programs for, and repair computers. Computer engineers do the building while computer analysts do the repairs, but the ones that write the programs for these machines are computer programmers.

Computer programmers write, code, test, and debug detailed instructions for the computer known as programs. Programs list in a logical order the steps a computer must execute to perform their function. Programmers often are categorized as technicians. However, many technical innovations in programming such as advanced computing technologies, sophisticated new languages, and programming tools, have cahnged the role of a programmer and elevated much of the programming work done today. It is becoming more difficult to distinguish programmers from other computer specialist since job titles shift so rapidly, reflecting new areas of specialization or changes in technology. Job titles and descriptions also may vary depending on the organization. In this paper, “computer programmer” refers to individuals whose main job function is programming; this group has a wide range of responsibilities and educational backgrounds. ( Eberts 12 )

Computer programs tell the computer what to do, such as which information to identify and access, how to process it, and what equipment to use. Programs vary widely depending upon the type of information to be accessed or generated. For example, the instructions involved in updating financial records are very different from those required to duplicate conditions on board an aircraft for pilots stand training in a flight simulator. (Eberts 12)

Although simple programs can be written in a few hours, programs that use complex mathematical formulas, whose solutions can only be approximated, or that draw data from many existing systems, require more than a year of work. In most cases, several programmers work together as a team under a senior programmer’s supervision.

These programs are made up of a series of logical steps that the machine must follow in order for the data to be processed and transformed into usable information. The programmer may use any one of a number of programming languages: COBOL, FORTRAN, and BASIC are among the older, more common languages. Today, 65 percent of corporate systems still run on COBOL. Programmers should gain familiarity with DB2 and other relational database software. Fourth-generation languages (4GLs) are less procedural and more like natural English, enabling their use for software development by managers and other users. Fifth generation languages (5GLs) include natural and intelligent languages, which are used for software development for artificial intelligence and expert systems. ( Eberts 12 )

There are over one thousand computer languages. It is essential that a programmer have a thorough knowledge of the language or languages in which programs are written in the organization where he or she seeks employment. Programmers must further possess a knowledge of general programming techniques and general relationships between program and hardware features. A strong orientation to detail is important in that something as small as a misplaced comma could cause system failure. This characteristic becomes crucial as a programmer debugs his or her programs to ensure they are error free. Debugging usually entails making trial runs on the computer with sample data. There are three types of programmers at work in most organizations: operating systems programmers, applications programmers, and maintenance programmers. ( Schmidt 7 )

For students in high school there are four points of advice. 1) Follow a solid college preparatory course of studies with an emphasis on mathematics and English. 2) Learn as much as you can about computers and computing. 3) Develop good study habits and 4 ) Begin planning for college as early in your high school career as possible. (Kling 79)

It is never too early in a student s high school studies to begin to plan for college. By the end of a student s junior year, they should be making concrete plans for their college education. They should choose four or five colleges which they think they might like to attend, and write for copies of their catalogs, admission requirements, housing, financial aid, and other information. Most schools require students to submit their results on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT). These tests are offered at a limited number of locations several times each year. Students need to arrange to take them in advance. In addition to these standardized tests of academic achievement and ability, many colleges and universities have other admission requirements.

Students may need to

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