Computers can do only what they have been told to do, and the people who tell them what to do are typically called programmers. They write the programs (lists of instructions) that make computers act in a certain way, test the programs, debug the programs (correct errors), maintain and update the programs, and may even write the documentation (instructions on how to use a program or computer system effectively).
On the job, programmers may work alone or be part of a group. They may be responsible for creating an entire program or just a segment of a program. It may take just a few minutes to write a program, or it may take years.
In the past, systems analysts designed software programs to meet specific needs, and programmers had the task of writing programs to fill those needs. Today there is a blurring of these responsibilities and job titles, and many individuals are performing both tasks, especially in smaller firms.
Training Needs Of A Computer Programmer
Professional programmers often have bachelor's or master's degrees in computer science. Nevertheless, many excellent programmers have little or no formal instruction in programming. For example, many computer buffs regularly enjoy writing programs for their own computers.
To gain professional expertise, they will have to learn how computer circuits are structured and should have a strong background in several programming languages. These languages have a fixed vocabulary and a set of rules that allow programmers to create instructions for a computer to follow. There are numerous programming languages, and no one language meets the needs of all programmers.
Skills Of A Computer Programmer
Being a programmer requires an ability to pay extraordinary attention to detail. For example, just omitting a comma in an instruction can cause a system to fail. Programmers also must be able to think logically and concentrate on a task for long periods.
In addition, they need to have stamina. It is not unusual for programmers to work eighty-hour weeks and go for days without much sleep when they are trying to meet deadlines. Creativity is also an asset for programmers who must find unusual solutions to resolve difficult problems. And, of course, programmers must stay current on programming languages as well as the continual changes in technology.
Salaries Of A Computer Programmer
A continuing shortage of programmers has pushed salaries up significantly. Even if shortages ease and upward pressure on salaries is reduced, programmers have traditionally received high wages. A superstar programmer might earn as much as $150,000 a year. Programmer Salaries, 1998
Title Large Installations Small Installations
Programmer/Analyst $40,000–$52,500 $35,000–$45,000
Programmer $34,000–$40,750 $30,000–$40,000
Systems programmers design and develop all the software used to operate a computer system. They also are involved in installing, debugging, and maintaining systems software once it is installed. You will find most systems programmers working on mainframes for computer vendors, from giants such as IBM to small start-up companies.
The trend toward standardization of operating systems has now made it possible for systems programmers to move more easily from working with one vendor to another. Formerly, most vendors tended to have their own operating systems, making it essential for programmers to learn a new system when they switched jobs.
A few systems programmers work at end-user organizations where they support applications programming, make evaluations of hardware and software, and modify existing software. They also develop programming standards.
Career Path
Most systems programmers begin as junior or trainee programmers and receive considerable direction from project managers or team leaders. They typically advance to programmers, who receive less supervision, and then to senior systems programmers, who work independently.
They can advance to project leader in charge of heading a team of programmers and to manager of operating systems with the responsibility for directing all activities of the department. The number of levels on the career path of a systems programmer depends on the size of the organization. Systems programmers do have a variety of career choices. Some elect to go into management, some choose to remain in programming, and others may prefer to move into systems analysis.
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