Employed by computer bureaus, companies with large computer installations, software developers and commercial businesses.
Key Tasks
Responsible for writing the sets of information, which describe the functions the computer must undertake to perform a task, that is the program.
A programmer must be able to understand a problem, plan the solution, prepare a diagram of the logical steps in the solution, and prepare the programs in a language the computer can understand.
Personal Qualities
Need to be a clear logical thinker. Able to follow a problem through to its solution, which requires patience, maturity and motivation. Will also need good communication skills, and able to take a large complex problem and break it down to a series of tasks. An enjoyment of teamwork is an advantage.
Entry Requirements
Most organisations require a good tertiary qualification in computer science or business computing. On-the-job and in-house training will be given on organisation standards and practices.
Training
Tertiary qualifications gained at University or Polytechnic provide entry-level requirements. Most firms will then provide some in-house training.
Prospects
Move from trainee programmer to programmer, team leader and analyst. Many programmers move into management and consultancy roles.
From the Alternative Glossary file: Programmer
A person who spends all their time trying to explain to the computer the imaginative fantasies of the systems analyst. This involves translating from one unintelligible series of hieroglyphics to another.
Why don't REAL programmers draw flowcharts?
Flowcharts are (after all) the illiterate's form of documentation. Cavemen drew flowcharts; look how much good it did for them !
