Computer programmers play a very
significant role in the Information Technology sector. They are those who write, test, and maintain
the detailed instructions, called programs that computers follow to perform
their functions. In general, these programs performing a specific task are called
software. Software has two major types, application software such as word
processors, and system software such as operating systems.
The term programmer may be often
referred to by the language they know, e.g. as Java programmers, or by the type of function they perform or
environment in which they work: for example, database programmers, mainframe
programmers, or Web developers. People who work as software developers,
software engineers, computer scientists, or software analysts are not
programmers. Instead, these specializations typically refer to individuals
possessing programming skills as well as other software engineering skills. Programmers'
tasks are dependent according to the specifications given by computer software
engineers and systems analysts.
There are various programming
languages used by programmers. These
programming languages are used, depending on the purpose of the program. For instance
COBOL, this programming language is commonly used for business applications
which are run on mainframe and midrange computers. Another language commonly
used is Fortran which is commonly applied in science and
engineering. C++ language is used extensively for both scientific and business
applications. Java, C# and PHP languages are very popular and commonly used for
Web and business applications.