| Computer programs are responsible for designing the | | | | one of two categories, which can include applications |
| instructions that help computers perform their | | | | and systems programming. Applications writers are |
| operations, which involves knowing a series of | | | | responsible for writing software programs which will |
| programming languages. When an engineer needs a | | | | perform a specific task such as word processing or a |
| program designed, they will give their ideas to a | | | | spreadsheet. Systems programming will create |
| programmer who will take these instructions and | | | | operating systems and networking systems upon |
| encode them into a programming language that a | | | | which other software will run. |
| computer can understand, such as java or C++. | | | | Most of these professionals will work 40 hours a |
| These professionals will often repair and modify | | | | week in a fairly low stress job, and telecommuting is |
| existing programs in order to improve them, and they | | | | becoming a common practice for programming |
| may use computer assisted software engineering in | | | | professionals. Most jobs will require a bachelor's |
| order to automate some of the process. Programs | | | | degree in computer science, although those with |
| used will vary widely depending on the type of | | | | sufficient skill may be able to bypass such |
| information that must be transcribed, and simple | | | | requirements. |
| projects can be done in a few hours, while others | | | | In 2006, these individuals had about 430,000 jobs in |
| can take years to create. | | | | America, being employed by almost every industry, |
| A computer tester will test a program by making | | | | although in particular they are utilized by software |
| sure that it produces the desired results, and they will | | | | publishers and financial institutions. Over the next |
| keep testing it until the performance of the program | | | | decade, computer jobs should declined slowly as |
| is adequate. Computer programmers may also work | | | | increased automation of coding and outsourcing |
| on developing games and other software that is | | | | greatly reduces the cost of software design. |
| used for financial planning or entertainment, working | | | | In 2007, the Robert Half Technology Firm found that |
| with a development team in order to create a | | | | starting salaries for computer programmers in the |
| finished project. | | | | middle 50th percentile ranged from $55,250 to |
| Computer programmers are typically grouped into | | | | $90,250. |