Programming
Computer Programmers are employed in almost every industry. Programmers, Software Developers, and Application Developers
are responsible for writing, testing, troubleshooting, and maintaining the source code of computer programs. Source codes
are written in a programming language, which can vary, dependent upon the desired function of the computer program.
Different programming languages like COBOL, C, Java, Visual Basic, and .NET support different styles of programming. The programming style is subject to the desired behavior of the program. It is difficult to determine what the most popular programming languages are.
Click on the More Information buttons below to view job descriptions, education/credential requirements, and salary ranges for the Computer Programming area of the Information Technology industry!
Employment of Computer Programmers is expected to decline slowly, decreasing by 4% from 2006-2016. This slight decline is due to various factors such as: offshore outsourcing, advances in programming languages and tools, and the growing ability of other types of Information Technology workers, such as Software Developers, Application Developers, Software Consultants, and Software Designers to design, write, and implement more of their own programs.
Nevertheless, employers will continue to need some local programmers, especially those who have strong technical skills and who understand an employers business and its programming requirements. This means that programmers will have to keep abreast of changing programming languages and techniques. Given the importance of networking and the expansion of client/server, Web-based and wireless environments, organizations will look for programmers who can support data communications and help implement business and intranet strategies. Demand for programmers with strong object-oriented programming capabilities and technical specialization in areas such as client/server programming, wireless applications, multimedia technology, and graphic user interface likely will stem from the expansion of intranets, extranets, and Internet applications.
When starting your career in Programming, there are essentially five levels of career advancement: Level 1- Software Developer or Software Consultant. Level 2- Software Designer or Application Developer; requiring at least two to five years of experience in the Programming field. Moving on to Level 3, most employers are looking for someone with five+ years of experience to fill the roles of Game Programmer or Java Programmer. Level 4- Senior Java Programmer or Senior Programmer; requiring eight+ years of experience. The final Level in the Programming field is Level 5. At this stage a candidate should possess ten+ years in the field to be considered for the position of Director of Software Development or Director of Programming - and this is only a portion of what your IT career could consist of. As you continue to advance in your technology career, the paths available to you begin to branch out and your career in IT can become limitless. (You can see the wide-range of IT job titles in our Career Growth section.)
Numerous job openings will result from the need to replace programmers who leave the labor force or transfer to other occupations. Prospects for these openings should be best for programmers with a variety of programming languages and tools, including Access Programmers, Visual Basic Programmers, and .NET Programmers. The languages that are in demand today include C++, Java, and other object-oriented languages, as well as newer, domain-specific languages that apply to computer networking, database management, and Internet application development. This should positively impact Java Careers and increase Java jobs.
Click on the More Information buttons below to view job descriptions, education/credential requirements, and salary ranges for the Computer Programming area of the Information Technology industry!
Once you begin your IT career, you will find that your increased knowledge in Information Technology is priceless, highly respected, and rewarding. It will enable you to choose from an enormous amount of positions in high demand. Once you start to advance in your programming career, you may decide you want to be involved in other areas of the Information Technology industry, such as: Network Administration, Database Administration, Web Design and Development, or Security.
