Those proficient in computer programming skills may become famous, though this regard is normally limited to software engineering circles. Many of the most notable programmers are often labeled "hackers". Programmers often have or project an image of individualistgeekdom, resistance to suits (referring to both business suits and 'The Establishment'), controls and unionisation.
Programmers come in all shapes and sizes. Professional programmers work in corporate IT departments, big companies or small service firms.
Nearly half of all computer programmers held a bachelor's degree in 2002; about 1 in 5 held a graduate degree.
Employment is expected to grow much more slowly than that of other computer specialists.
Prospects should be best for college graduates with knowledge of a variety of programming languages and tools; those with less formal education or its equivalent in work experience should face strong competition for employment.
Recently, this sector has experienced significant downsizing in the US, while jobs are offshored to other areas where much lower salaries can be paid, such as India and China.
In practice, programmers often are referred to by the language they know, such as Javaprogrammers, or by the type of function they perform or environment in which they work—for example, databaseprogrammers, mainframeprogrammers, or Web programmers.
Programmers in software development companies may work directly with experts from various fields to create software—either programs designed for specific clients or packaged software for general use—ranging from games and educational software to programs for desktop publishing and financial planning.
Programmers are at a much higher risk of having their jobs outsourced abroad than are workers involved in more complex and sophisticated information technology functions, such as software engineering, because computer programming has become an international language, requiring little localized or specialized knowledge.
Programmerstest a program by running it to ensure that the instructions are correct and that the program produces the desired outcome.
Employment of programmers is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2014.
Programmers are at a much higher risk of having their jobs outsourced abroad than are workers involved in more complex and sophisticated information technology functions, such as software engineering, because computer programming has become an international language, requiring little localized or specialized knowledge.
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