Computer Programming An embedded infusion pump used for ensuring a safer drug delivery, a barcode reader used by stores

for tracking inventory, and an airplanes autopilot flight control system are just a few of the technologies that require computer programs in order to operate. Cell phones, laptops, video games that are played and the movies that are watched are technologies that have become a part of our daily routines. Likewise, organizations now rely on computers and information technology to conduct business and operate more efficiently. Each of this technology depends upon on a set of written computer code in order to operate; thus, as our dependence upon these technologies continues to escalate, so does the need for qualified computer programmers. The realm of Information Technology encompasses numerous professions that are needed in order to create and maintain these current and new technological innovations. In the wake of the technology revolution, many of these professions have under gone transformations; however, none has undergone a metamorphosis as dramatic as that of a computer programmer. To gain an insight as to where the field of computer programming is headed in the future, we must first look at the function of a computer programmer, the history and evolution of computer programming as well as the presence of technology in todays world. Doing so will allow us to gain a better perspective toward the innovations of computer programming as well as the impact on future technology. Edsger Dijkstra, a pioneer of the Computer Science discipline, once said, Computer Science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes (Stepp). His quote is affirmation that computer science encompasses more than just programming, it also encompasses the essential fundamentals of analysis and design of algorithms, design techniques and new

programming languages, assembly language, distributed computing, mathematical analysis, and artificial intelligence. Computer programmers must have a thorough understanding of how to efficiently organize, store and retrieve data, as well as how to write efficient programs that behave intelligently. Furthermore, computer programmers are instrumental in the development of new applications that are beneficial not just to the business world, but beneficial to society as well. For this reason, computer programmers must have the knowledge to design complex software programs as well as the insight to design effective interfaces between technology and humankind. The computer programming field is divided into two general types of programmers, those that are systems programmers and those that are applications programmers. While each of these classifications has the primary responsibility of converting project specifications and statements of problems and procedures into logical flow charts used for coding into computer language, computer programmers are also expected to be able to design, develop, and write computer programs that store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information. Furthermore, computer programmers must have the ability to test, debug, update and modify existing computer programs. Additional responsibilities encompass creating the related technical documentation for all program development and revisions. The main capacity of systems programmers is to design computer programs that control and maintain computer systems, database systems, and networked systems; however, they may also be responsible for the implementation, support and maintenance of computer applications as well as testing and validating the function of these applications. Applications programmers are similar in nature but differ in that they are responsible for the design and development of

software applications that are for a specific purpose, such as business-processes applications as well as e-commerce and web applications. In 1953, John Backus proposed an idea of what is now referred to as a higher-level programming language for the IBM 704. His team created the Fortran language along with the first compiler. Fortran, an acronym for Formula Translation, consists of functions that are quite similar to mathematical functions in that they both take a set of input parameters and return a value of some type. By using Fortran, a programmer is able to enter English like commands into a computer that is then translated by the computer into the proper number sequences. Fortran paved the way for the development of other comparable high-level programming languages; all of which have contributed in the evolution of computer programming and development of enduser software applications (Anderson, 2009). Without these software applications there would not have been a market for the personal computer. Furthermore, it would have been difficult to train a sufficient number of programmers to write the slow and tedious code representative of earlier years without these easier and more powerful programming languages. As a result, the vast number of application programs we have become dependent upon in both work and pleasure would be nonexistent. The computer programmers of yesteryears have been stereotyped as introverted and reclusive donning a wild, scruffy beard and a long-haired pony tail. Typically programmers had an antisocial nature with little interest in coming out of their cubicle to be of help to the end user. Only recently has the typical stereotype of a computer programmer and his odd behavior been demystified as well as the epitome of a computer geek. However in retrospect, it is the computer programmer, and not the computer itself, that is most important to our understanding of the rapid and fundamental transformation in the history of information technology. The

applications software developed by the computer programmer has transformed the latent power of a personal computer into a tool used for solving actual real-world problems (Ensmenger 154). The software industry has experienced a paradigm shift towards web-based software. Although the Web was not originally designed to be a software platform, it has rapidly become the platform for most end-user software as well as a popular median for Software as a Service, collaboration, distance learning and other various services. Cloud computing and virtualization technologies are also creating a major shift in the paradigm of computing. While each of these technological advances enables more efficient business continuity, the development practices of web applications are not near the levels of maturity as that of traditional software development. With the rapid advancements and changes in computer science, it would be difficult to look ahead at the future of computer programming. However with the current trends of software development, we might be able to speculate the future of computer programming in the coming decade. With the ability to access web and mobile applications from anywhere, non-computer experts will begin to develop more applications of this type (Bultan 71). The known is that with the changing demands of faster transmissions of data and the need for the development of high bandwidth applications has created many demanding aspects and features of future operating system which will continue to revolutionize the world of computing and will facilitate the computer based application platforms as well as systems (Malik 1521). As the next wave of computing is upon us, end-users will no longer be sitting behind a desk controlling input with a mouse and keyboard; instead they will be interacting with dozens of different technological platforms on a daily basis. It is believed that the reason ubiquitous computing environments are still largely unrealized is because research is technology-centric, with inadequate focus on users. In order to bridge the gap between what information technology

provides and what the end user needs and wants from ubiquitous computing, we must first realize the needs of the end-user in these ubiquitous computing environments and be able to reach the full potential of technology (Holloway and Julien 168). As we continue to experience the transformation of software applications into internetbased web applications, the demand for end-user programming will increase. The only unknown of the future of end-user programming is just when the masses will begin their migration towards web-based applications.

Works Cited Anderson, Paul. Programming the Virtual Infrastructure. University of Edinburgh. Web. 1 Feb 2009. www.inf.ed.ac.uk/publications/author/dcspaul.html. Bultan, Tevfik. Software for everyone by everyone FoSER '10 (2010): 69-74. Association of Computing Machinery. Web. 15 Nov. 2010. Ensmenger, Nathan. Letting the Computer Boys Take Over: Technology and the Politics of Organizational Transformation IRSH 48 (2003): 153-180. Print. Holloway, Seth and Julien, Christine. The case for end-user programming of ubiquitous computing environments. FoSER '10 (2010): 167-172. Association of Computing Machinery. Web. 15 Nov. 2010. Malik, Qurat-ul-Ain, et al. "Modern Trends Used in Operating Systems for High Speed Computing Applications." International Journal on Computer Science & Engineering 2.5 (2010): 1514-1523. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 15 Nov 2010. Stepp, Michael. "Meidations on Programming". Computer Science and Engineering, UCSD. Web. 11 Nov. 2010. <http://cseweb.ucsd.edu/~mstepp/programming.html>.