Computer Programmer

Job Opportunities

Computer programmer jobs are expected to grow slowly, from 0 to 8 percent through 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Labor:

• Prospects should be best for college graduates with knowledge of programming languages and tools including C#, Visual Basic, C++, Java and newer, domain-specific languages that apply to computer networking, database management, and internet application development.
• Sophisticated computer software now has the capability to write basic code, eliminating the need for a computer programmer to do this routine work.
• Advances and changes in computer software have led to programming functions being transferred from a computer programmer to computer software engineer.
• Some computer programmer jobs are being outsourced to other countries.
• Employers will still need a computer programmer who has strong technical skills and who understands an employer's business and its programming requirements. This means that programmers will have to keep abreast of changing programming languages and techniques.
• Demand will be high for a computer programmer with strong object-oriented programming capabilities and specialization in areas such as client/server programming, wireless applications, multimedia technology, and graphic user interface due to the expansion of intranets, extranets, and internet applications.

Basic job responsibilities

The basic job responsibilities of a computer programmer include:

• writing, testing and maintaining the detailed instructions, called programs, that computers must follow to perform their functions.
• conceiving, designing and testing logical structures for solving problems by computer.

Work Environment

A computer programmer:

• usually works in an office or lab.
• typically works about 40 hours a week.
• can work evenings or weekends to meet deadlines or solve specific problems.
• may telecommute and work from remote locations through modems, laptops, electronic mail, and the internet.
• is susceptible to eyestrain, back discomfort, and hand and wrist problems.

A Computer Programmer—

• tells the computer what to do: which information to identify and access, how to process it, and what equipment to use.
• may write simple programs in a few hours, while programs that use complex mathematical formulas may require more than a year of work.
• may work together as a team under a senior programmer's supervision.
• writes programs according to the specifications determined primarily by a computer software engineer and computer systems analyst.
• converts a design into a logical series of instructions that the computer can follow.
• may code instructions in a conventional programming language such as C#, Visual Basic, C++ or Java.
• generally knows more than one programming language.
• may update, repair, modify, and expand existing programs.
• may use computer-assisted software engineering (CASE) tools to automate much of the coding process.
• tests a program by running it to ensure that the instructions are correct and that the program produces the desired outcome.

A computer programmer is often grouped into these broad areas—

applications programmer:

• writes programs to handle a specific job, such as a program to track inventory within an organization.
• revises existing packaged software or customize generic applications, which are frequently purchased from vendors.

systems programmer:

• writes programs to maintain and control computer systems software, such as operating systems, networked systems, and database systems.
• makes changes in the instructions that determine how the network, workstations, and central processing unit of the system handle the various jobs they have been given.
• helps applications programmers determine the source of problems that may occur with their programs.

software programmer:

• creates software programs ranging from games and educational software to programs for desktop publishing and financial planning.
• is one of the most rapidly growing segments of the computer services industry.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degrees are commonly required.
• Certain jobs require only a 2-year degree or certificate.
• An associate degree in computer science or other related information technology field is a widely used entry-level credential for a prospective computer programmer.
• Many employers require certification in a programming language such as C#, Visual Basic, C++ or Java.