Careers :: Programmer

Once the high-level program design is done the programmer is supplied with the precise format on inputs and outputs and the major program modules as well as the data and control interfaces.

The programmer's job is to design each module, code it and test it as well as create and maintain accurate documentation if the system is going to be maintained accurately over its lifetime. It is the programmers responsibility to follow the design standards of the organisation and to produce application software that will be predictable, straightforward and readable.

The programmer has to resist the urge to go straight to the coding phase and does the best work when following the basic steps of, first, analysing the problem (structure charts etc.), second ,designing the program focusing on the control logic, third prepare the specifications (pseudocode for each module to define the processing logic), fourth, code the program (this should be straightforward if the first two steps have been thoroughly done), and last of all test the program calmly and precisely with pre-prepared test data.

Learning new languages is an ongoing fact of life for programmers and adapting to the requirements of each organisation's standards and level of documentation calls for a flexible attitude and good team spirit. Students who take the Software Engineering Major possibly have the advantage.

Updated: 11 December 2012