Computer programmers write the code that allows software programs to run. Just like a boss tells an employee what to do, a programmer tells a computer what to do. They write directions in C++, Python or another language, and the computer follows the programmer’s detailed instructions. In many cases, a programmer’s work starts after a software developer or engineer passes off design specifications for a particular program. The programmer’s job entails refining the ideas and solving any problems that arise while converting the program into code. Programmers can also rewrite, debug, maintain and test (and retest and retest) software and programs that instruct the computer to accomplish certain tasks, such as storing or retrieving data, so the computer can perform better and more efficiently.

Jeff Lyons, founder of the National Association of Programmers, writes in an email, "When I entered the industry, the internet was a DARPA [Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency] project and smartphones were not even a concept. Now, we have billionaires because they made it easy to search the internet for just about any topic we can imagine. Today, our very young children play with devices with more computing power than was available to launch all of the Apollo missions that landed men on the moon. Even the most nontechnical persons can easily utilize these devices to access the collective knowledge of mankind."

These innovations are due, in no small part, to skilled computer programmers.

Programming is highly detailed work and usually involves fluency in several languages. Projects can be short and require only a few days of coding, or they can be very long, involving upward of a year to write. And because a large amount of a programmer’s time is spent alone in front of a computer, telecommuting is a perk many programmers take advantage of. The job can be stressful at times, but computer programmers can be compensated well for any anxiety they might experience.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -11.2% employment growth for computer programmers between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 16,600 jobs will be lost.

Most jobs in computer programming require a bachelor’s degree and experience with programming languages. Another way to gain job experience is through an internship, which also looks good to prospective employers.

Programmers can earn certifications in various products and programming languages to build their skills and possibly help them increase their salaries.

"Beyond traditional degrees, certifications are the basic currency of the IT professional. Fortunately and unfortunately, there are myriad certifications available and the value of each depends on where you want to ’spend’ your currency and who will ’accept’ it," Lyons writes. He recommends narrowing down your preferred specialization in the field and "soliciting advice from individuals working in the category and environment you wish to work in. They are probably the best suited to tell you which credentials you really need."