The massive wave of information technology that hit the world a few years ago has seen both, youngsters as well as older people looking towards computer programming as a viable career option. And why not? Look around you. Today, computers are being used in hotels, banks, departmental stores, shopping malls, government offices, travel agencies, libraries, and in thousands of other places. This is the digital age where work is increasingly being done at the click of a button. Computer technology is no more just a mere 'assistance' to us - it is pure necessity. Therefore it is but natural that computer programming is seen as a prime career opportunity by many. In the following lines we shall find out what a career in computer programming entails along with their prerequisites and long term prospects. Computer Programming Field This is a common question that is on the lips of most newcomers to computer programming. What is computer programming? What exactly is a career in computer programming? What kind of work does a computer programmer have to do? Let us answer these questions one by one. What is Computer Programming? Let me explain this using an example of a popular PC game - pinball. Every one of you must be familiar with pinball and how it is played. Now let us look at pinball from the perspective of a computer programmer. For a computer programmer, pinball is nothing but a computer application that has been developed with the help of an algorithm, and by using certain programming tools. So what exactly is a computer algorithm? Well, say your objective is to perform a certain task (in the case of pinball, it would be striking the ball with the lever and preventing it from entering the danger zone). An algorithm is a series of steps or rules, which are based on pure logic, using which, you begin from the starting point and progress towards achieving your desired objective. Simply put, computer programming involves using different software development tools for developing computer applications on the basis of logically designed computer algorithms. Types of Careers Careers in computer programming are of three types:

• application development
• system programming
• software testing

I'm sure that you may have heard of several other careers such as game designing, computer animation, graphics designing, etc. and are probably wondering where do they fit in the above scheme of things. Well, let me answer your question. If you think of computer programming to be a tree, then application development, system programming and software testing can be considered to be its three main branches. Each one of these three branches has a number of smaller sub-branches. For example, game designing, computer animation, website designing, etc., are sub-branches, belonging to the main branch of application development. System programming, in a nutshell, involves various specialized career branches, all of which are aimed at bettering the internal code and the functioning of the operating system, along with other system components. Software testing is a branch of computer programming which involves thorough testing of the developed computer application for detection and elimination of design flaws and errors. Requirements Different programming careers have different requirements in terms of skill set, knowledge of computer tools and programming languages, and working experience. A formal degree in computer engineering is the best choice for youngsters who are serious about an IT job. Alternatively, there are plenty of other job specific courses that one can look at, if a obtaining a formal degree in computer engineering isn't feasible . For example, diplomas or certificate programs in animation, web development, software testing, etc., are extremely beneficial for people who do not own a formal computer engineering degree yet are interested in pursuing that particular aspect of computer programming. Job Outlook A skilled computer programmer is expected to be able to write a program or a code, which tells the computer what to do and how to do it. These instructions are written with the help of a number of programming languages such as C, C++, Python, JAVA etc. A programmer's job description also involves refining ideas, debugging, rewriting, maintaining and testing pieces of software, ensuring that they are able to correctly and effectively perform the task that they have been developed for. Computer programmers usually need to be conversant with several different programming languages. The projects that they handle can be short - involving only a few days of coding, medium - requiring a couple of months, or large - needing a year or more. This job requires highly developed logical thinking and conceptualization, which has to be implemented accurately using the proficiency that the computer programmer I expected to have in the use of the development and testing tools. Salary The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has found that the average salary for a qualified computer engineer was is around $76,140 per year. The highest paid 10% of computer engineers made around $123,490 a year, while the lowest paid 10 % earned $43,640 per year. on an average. With the increasing application of computers in various fields, careers in information technology and computer programming are here to stay. With good salaries and plenty of scope for career growth, the future is bright for this field.