COMPUTER PROGRAMMER-IMAGINATION AT WORK-

DIVING TO THE WORLD OF PROGRAMMING

What is Computer Programming?

Why Computer Programming is Important?

How to become a Successful Computer Programmer?

The computer is incredibly fast, accurate, and stupid. Man is unbelievably slow, inaccurate, and brilliant.

The marriage of the two is a force beyond calculation.

-Leo Cherne

A COMPUTER PROGRAMMER

• A programmer: • Write programs in a variety of computer languages

• COBOL; C++;BASIC; Java; and HTML.

• Update and expand existing programs• Debug programs by testing for and fixing errors (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014)

• Create, modify, and test the code, forms, and script that allow computer applications to run.

• Work from specifications drawn up by software developers or other individuals.

• May assist software developers by analyzing user needs and designing software solutions.

• May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information (Details Report for: Computer Programmers, 2010).

“Everybody in the country should learn how to program a computer... Because it teaches you how to think.”-Steve Jobs, founder and ex-CEO of Apple

TECHNICAL SKILLS NEEDED TO BE A PROGRAMMER

• These are the top 3 important traits in each category, with them are the scores they got as sampled by O*NET Online.org7• Knowledge

• Computer and Electronics -96%-

• English Language -76%-

• Mathematics -62%-

• Skills• Programming -88%-

• Reading Comprehension -75%-

• Complex Problem Solving -66%-

• Abilities• Written Comprehension -72%-

• Information Ordering -69%-(The ability to arrange things ccording to a specific rule or set of rules)

• Near Vision -66%-

• There is a misconception about computer programming that you need to be a math genius in order to be good at it. Clearly the data shows that it only ranks 3rd in knowledge it is more important to know concepts, be able to process information correctly, have a keen eye for errors and construct codes that are orderly and could be understood by other programmers.

TASKS OF A COMPUTER PROGRAMMER

• Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.

• Conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure they will produce the desired information and that the instructions are correct.

• Write, update, and maintain computer programs or software packages to handle specific jobs such as tracking inventory, storing or retrieving data, or controlling other equipment.

• Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.

• Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements (Summary Report for: Computer Programmers, 2010).

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Programmers are usually referred to by the language or function they specialize such as Java programmers, or Internet programmers. They are also usually separated into two main types:• Applications programmers

• write code to handle a specific function within a company for example, order tracking. • Or they may update and change a company's current computer programs or purchased

software.• Systems programmers

• are involved in creating code for entire computer, network, and database systems. • Because of their involvement in the system as a whole, they are often able to assist

programmers in troubleshooting errors in various programs• It is common in smaller companies for a combination of these two types of

programmers to exist; this position is commonly referred to as programmer-analyst. • These individuals are responsible for both the programming work and systems

maintenance within a company.

(Computer Programming Career Education and Advancement)

WORK ENVIRONMENT, A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A COMPUTER PROGRAMMER

• Programmers generally work in office

• Tend to work longer hours and weekends in order to meet deadlines or fix serious errors that may occur in programs at all hours of the day.

• Programmers will often work on teams with various types of professionals to solve complicated problems within companies.

• “Programmers normally work alone, but sometimes work with other computer specialists on large projects. Because writing code can be done anywhere, many programmers telecommute” (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014).

WHY LEARNING COMPUTER PROGRAMMING IS IMPORTANT?

• The future of humanity is headed to automation and better technology

• The demand for computer programmers will sky-rocket in the coming decades

• In the near future, computer programming will be a fundamental skill of a successful individual.

• It teaches the inner-workings of inscrutable objects such as smartphone, computers and quite possibly robots.

“We all interact with computers in such a way that they’re no longer this extra thing you do on the side,”-Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft

INCREASING DEMAND

• The number of coding jobs is only expected to increase over time. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 913,000 computer programmer jobs in 2010. That number is expected to jump 30% from 2010 to 2020. Meanwhile, the average growth of all other U.S. jobs is predicted to be just 14% (Orsini, 2013).

• Knowledge in Computer Programming could be applied to a number of related field that requires specialization: • Analyst Programmer, Applications Developer, Computer Programmer, Computer Programmer

Analyst, Internet Programmer, Java Developer, Programmer, Programmer Analyst, Software Developer, Web Programmer (Details Report for: Computer Programmers. 2010).

• “There aren’t enough people to fill these jobs because technology and the job market are moving much faster than education in high schools and colleges” -Mark Lassoff, founder of Learntoprogram.tv- (Orsini, 2013).

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO SUCCEED?

• To be able to succeed in this career a Bachelor’s degree would be helpful in establishing credentials but is not necessary.

• Starting early in programming helps build portfolio. Although non-essential, one can always hunt for experience say accept volunteer work in programming, or be part of a programming team as a hobby. Tip start joining “Hackathons”

• A thick portfolio and job experience is what separates an in demand programmer from an entry-level one.

• Keeping up to Changing technology and current trends in programming• requires a computer programmers to take courses in order to learn new programming languages

or upgrade current programming skills

SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMMERS ARE

• Motivated tinkerer not resting until the very essence of the problem is known and solved

• Logical, an affinity for Math is not necessary although it is helpful

• Never satisfied with their current knowledge they always desire to learn new things or find ways to be a motivated programmer

BENEFITS OF BEING A COMPUTER PROGRAMMER

• You will be knowledgeable in technological trends and could actually contribute to its development

• It can boost anyone’s career because of the future ubiquity of computers and its usage

• Expected high salary “Computer programming has lucrative pays “The median annual wage for computer programmers was $74,280 in May 2012” (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014).

“Even if a CEO never codes for her company, just understanding what is happening is going to be huge for her from a risk standpoint, from an understanding standpoint, CEOs need to have a lot of knowledge of a lot of different things and programming is a large part of that.” – Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook

REFERENCE LIST

• Computer Programming Career Education and Advancement. (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2015, from http://www.salary.com/computer-programming-career-education-and-advancement/

• Orsini, L. (2013, May 31). Why Programming Is The Core Skill Of The 21st Century. Retrieved April 25, 2015, from http://readwrite.com/2013/05/31/programming-core-skill-21st-century

• Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer Programmers. (2014, January 8). Retrieved April 25, 2015, from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-programmers.htm

• Details Report for: Computer Programmers. (2010, January 1). Retrieved April 25, 2015, from http://www.onetonline.org/link/details/15-1131.00

• Summary Report for: Computer Programmers. (2010, January 1). Retrieved April 25, 2015, from http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1131.00

• "Code Stars" - Short Film [Video File]. (2013). United States: Youtube.com. Retrieved April 25, 2015, from Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vja83KLQXZs