How To Become a Computer Programmer

Programming a computer has always fascinated me. To be able to type a few lines of english into a machine,
and then it does all sorts of things for me, was really exciting. It still is. If I need to do some task, I just write a
programme to do it for me and I can take the rest of the week off!

If you are a creative or lateral thinking person, computer programming can be very satisfying; especially if you
are doing it for yourself or freelance. I've been programming in various languages since about 1987, and I still
enjoy doing it.

So how do you become a programmer? Where do you start?

First off, you need to be able to work a computer. How to use the mouse, keyboard, move files, get around
explorer and so on. You also need to have a reasonable ability in math. (Or you can learn it as you go along.)

Then you need to decide what type of programmes you would like to write - financial, games, operating systems,
machine controllers, etc - because each type of programming has a particular type of programming language
that is particularly suited to it. For instance, Delphi is fine tuned for Databases, C++ good for operating systems,
Visual Basic works well in web applications.

Then you need to select the programming language that you would like to use. eg. Delphi, C++, Visual Basic,
etc, etc.

You will have to buy yourself a Compiler, the software package that you use to write your programs. (Or use one
at your school or library, or borrow a friends computer if he's got it installed.) But eventually you will have to buy
your own or use one of the freely available compilers. You need a compiler to compile the code you write. (And if
you are interested in how compiler works you can take a look at compiler internals.)

Then you need to either go on a course that offers tuition in this language, or start teaching yourself; in which
case you will need books to refer to. Courses are available via correspondence, at technikons or at universities.
Usually these institutions will provide a low price "student" version of the compiler for you.
Then you need a couple of years (part time) to do all this studying. Maybe after a month or two you will be able
to turn out programmes that are kinda useful

Programming is a bunch of commands written in a "language" that is normal english words, but a small finite set
of them, together with symbols and punctuation that all has a particular function. For example
Procedure WriteSomething
begin
form1.edit1.text := 'Hi there guys";
form1.edit1.visible := True;
Application.Processmessages;
end;

Procedure TFormTimeNow.FormCreate(Sender: TObject);

begin
StartTime := Now;
ListBox1.Items.Add (TimeToStr (StartTime));
ListBox1.Items.Add (DateToStr (StartTime));
ListBox1.Items.Add ('Press button for elapsed time');
end;

This little bit of programming would put the text "Hi there guys" into a little box on the screen; but note: This is
only part of a larger programme, and won't work by itself. If you leave out one of the semi-colons or a full stop,
the program won't work
So you have to write this "english" in a particular format, so that the compiler can "interpret" it, and convert it into
machine code so that the computer can "understand" it and execute it. A strong>compiler is the software that
takes your programme, written in this pseudo english, and converts it into a computer readable and executable
form

Delphi version 7.0, in which the little programme above is written, takes up about 500MB of space on the hard
drive, and does not use all that much memory, so it will run on a standard, off the shelf entry level computer.
Borland South Africa very kindly sponsored my version, for which I am extremely grateful. The latest version of
Delphi is fairly expensive, so it requires a bit of capital investment.

Some of the programming language compilers are: Delphi, Turbo Pascal, Object Pascal, Fortran, C++, C# ,
Basic, Visual Basic, Cobol, Lisp, Prolog, SQL, HTML, ModBus, etc. There are many, many others, some for
doing web pages and online applications, for cellphone use, for embedded controllers, and so on.Basic is about
the easiest to use, but Turbo Pascal is probably the best compromise between easiness and usefulness.

Be prepared to work hard, and do a lot of study, and spend a lot of time learning to programme. It's hard at the
beginning, but over time you get familiar with the syntax and thinking behind the languages, and then it becomes
a lot easier. So never give up. The light comes on eventually!

Computer Training - Retraining to Become a Computer Programmer

The modern business world has changed dramatically in the last 20 years. The advent of cheap computers has
meant that any business, no matter how small, can now afford to run their operations using a complex network
that requires programming to work at maximum efficiency. Constant upgrades and maintenance of computer
systems has led to the growth of a vital job in IT - the computer programmer.

Computer programming can cover every aspect of IT - from maintaining a website to completely reprogramming
an entire network system. Consequently, computer programmers need to constantly update their skills set to
match the ever-changing technology with which they work. Launching a career as a programmer can appear to
be a daunting task at first, particularly if you only have limited experience of working with computers, but with the
right training anyone can develop a career as a programmer.

Computer programming courses teach you the 'nuts and bolts' of programming, and yes, it does involve learning
another language - C#. This is the universal language used by nearly all computer programmes, and once you
are fluent in C# your skills set can be taken all over the world. However, the most important factor in developing
a career as a computer programmer is to have what is known as 'accreditation' and for this you need to choose
the right computer programming course.

One of the most highly regarded and universally considered 'accredited' courses are the Microsoft Certified
Technology Specialist (MCTS: ASP.NET) and the Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD: Web
Developer) certifications. In both cases, these programming qualifications involve the C# development language
and will introduce you to the fundamental skills needed to further a career in computer programming. The MCPD
certification track extends to building interactive, data-driven web-based applications - one of the fastest growth
areas of IT technology. All businesses are now realising that an online presence is vital if they are to compete in
a global market, and good web developers are highly prized and very well paid.
Once you have achieved MCTS or MCPD accreditation, you can expect to earn up to £40k a year with
experience. The best way to achieve these highly sought after qualifications is to undertake a 'distance' learning
programme with an accredited IT skills provider. Look for providers who carry the Microsoft Gold Standard
accreditation and can offer you a flexible course that enables you to learn whilst you continue to work in your
current job. Alternatively, talking to your employer and explaining to them that you are looking for career
development by gaining accreditation as a programmer is a good way to achieve financial sponsorship to
complete the course, particularly if your employer uses Microsoft systems.

Distance learning provides you with all the information you will need to complete your MCTS or MCPD
certificates, combined with some classroom based learning sessions at special facilities across the country. You
get to learn at your own pace and with the full support of tutors and other students and it can be a far less
daunting way of re-entering the education system compared to taking a college course. Programming courses
are usually completed in around twelve months, and once you have achieved your certification you can then go
on to specialise in particular areas of programming such as web development or systems programming. In a
modern world that relies so heavily on new technology, programming courses are the easiest way to begin a
career that offers you plenty of challenges and opportunities across the globe.

Becoming a Computer Programmer

Computer programmers are responsible for writing the detailed instructions that cause a computer to perform a
specific task. The usually-complex set of instructions, known as a software program, can be written in any of
several languages understandable to the computer. Programmers usually work closely with computer software
engineers and systems analysts, who design how the software program will work in a high-level sense. The
programmer will then take their high-level software design and translate it into a workable set of specific
computer code that the computer can follow. Programmers not only write programs but often also update,
modify, and expand existing programs. Most programmers know more than one programming language and
typically are able to learn new languages relatively easily.

The two general categories of computer programmer are applications programmers and systems programmers.
Applications programmers write programs which perform a specific task, whereas systems programmers write
programs which control how a computer handles the various jobs it needs to do and how it communicates with
peripheral equipment such as terminals, printers, and disk drives.

Education, Certification, Licensing

Although some programmers hold only an associate's degree, most of them have a bachelor's degree in
computer science, mathematics, or a related field. For some jobs, a graduate degree is required. To an
increasing extent, the level of education and training required by employers for this occupational field is rising
and expected to further increase. Certain types of employer may require specialized expertise; for example,
employers who use computers for business applications typically prefer to hire graduates who have had college
courses in management information systems and/or business. Due to the rapid advancement of technology,
programmers must continuously keep their knowledge and skills current and can expect to regularly need to take
courses sponsored by their employer and offered by software vendors or local colleges and universities.

Certification is a good way to demonstrate proficiency and often gives the job candidate a competitive
advantage. There is a wide variety of certification available in the programming field. Some certifications are
specific to certain programming languages. Others are associated with certain vendors or software firms who
may require professionals who work with their products to carry their specialized certifications. Other varieties of
certification are also available through various organizations.

Computer Programmer Jobs

A computer programmer job description usually includes writing programs for processes related to accounting.
The usual programs that a programmer writes are either for business or science applications. There are different
types of programmers and knowing all the possible types is important so you will know the kind of job that you
are really applying for. One type of programmer is responsible for making applications alone and they are called,
applications computer programmer. On one hand, there are programmers who write a series of systems that are
usually needed in manufacturing companies of computers or other computer companies; such programmer is
known as systems computer programmer. A systems programmer is also responsible for the development of
new computer languages. Another type of programmer is the computer software engineers who are actually
programmers but have a number of years of experience that they are able to immediately design programs that
are very complex.

Generally however, programmers should have knowledge in the hardware, memory and software of computers.
Aside from that, a programmer must know how and must be experienced, in one way or another, to write
programs in the various computer codes that will definitely be studied in a computer science, math or information
systems course.

A computer programmer job can be done alone or in teams and the number of people who will work for a
particular project shall depend on the deadline, the size or scale and the budget of the project. Since most
projects are done in teams, the registration or ownership of programs that are developed is not given to a single
person alone. Often, registration of programs is named after the company and is included as an asset of the
company where the programmer is working for.