Computer program experience

The biggest challenges I've encountered are related to complex code bases that are co-written by many software programmers. An example of a complex code base would be software code for the Chrome browser, which goes into the hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of lines of code.

When working on complex software, you rarely ever write code from scratch. Even when a company decides to make a brand new product, you start by reusing existing software code and modifying the code to meet product requirements. To modify code, you first need to comprehend it. There are two challenges when it comes to comprehending an existing code base. The first challenge is that people writing software are focused on making the product work, while making the code comprehensible is usually an afterthought.

But as time goes by and the software gets reused by others not familiar with the code, the comprehensibility of code starts to matter. If code is hard to understand, software programmers new to the code might end up introducing bugs.

This failure to properly understand code before reusing it is one of the most common reasons for software bugs. When working with a complex code base, you need documentation that describes the code architecture and how the code works. A challenge in most cases is the documentation is either stale, as it hasn't been updated as the software code is updated, or doesn't have all the information. When you don't have good documentation, it slows down your ability to understand and use the code correctly.

When I see my software products help someone be successful in whatever they do, that is the most rewarding feeling. Users are making videos using my software for teaching others about cryptocurrency, the Spanish language, and math problem-solving skills, among others, and these videos have reached tens of thousands of their subscribers.

It feels awesome to help users deliver great video content to their audience. When I graduated from college in the s, there were plenty of software jobs available, and that is still the case even today. But it was a bit of a challenge to find jobs in a particular niche that I preferred, which had to do with writing device driver software software that interfaces with electronics hardware. I was lucky to come across an ad for a company called Kyocera Wireless that had openings for mobile phone software development, and landed a job there.

My first software job was at Kyocera Wireless as an entry-level software programmer, where I wrote software in C for mobile phones. This was a time before the iPhone came into the market. I worked there for two years and then took a break to get a master's in computer engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. After my master's, I worked seven years as a software programmer at National Instruments in Austin.

The best part of working at National Instruments was being in the company of really smart programmers, from whom I learned a lot. That environment helped me develop the skills and confidence to do more ambitious things, like building a software startup. For the last four years, I've been working on startup projects in the video space.

I built Android apps, web apps, and server software in Java and Javascript. Today, I have a software product called Outklip that is used by more than 2, people and growing to make tutorials, demos, and gameplay videos for YouTube. Coding is a lot like playing a game. You do some amount of planning upfront, then write some code and see the results. Then plan some more, write more code, and so on.

It's a gradual process where you have to complete a level to get to the next level, and there are no cheat codes. You must develop code in steps, or it won't end up working right. Before writing any code, I work things out on paper or whiteboard. Writing things down helps clarify my thinking.

It's on paper where I come up with an outline of what I want to accomplish. I draw diagrams to represent data, code execution sequences, and code architecture.

Once I have figured out how I'm going to tackle a problem, I start coding the easiest parts first. I write the bare minimum code to generate a tangible result -- like a basic webpage that I can see and interact with -- and then I repeat cycles of plan and code through to completion. Programming is a skill you learn by doing. Work on projects. They're the best way to learn. Textbooks are helpful after you've done some coding already; they're best for refining your understanding and improving your knowledge about programming.

To improve your skills, look for examples of code online, tweak them, and run to see results. Keep modifying code till you get the results you want. If you repeat this cycle of starting with examples and ending up with something cool, you're on your way to becoming a very effective programmer.

Computer programmers need to stay current on programming trends and technological innovations. There is no licensing for computer programmers, but certificates such as those offered by the EC-Council expire after three years. Programmers must recertify by participating in the organization's continuing education program. Programmers can pursue continuing education and professional development options through colleges and universities or professional organizations and associations.

CompTIA, a leading organization for information technology professionals, offers a continuing education program , plus a variety of certification and training options. Prospective computer programmers can gain insights into the field and requirements for computer-related positions through websites like TechBeacon , podcasts such as Core Intuition, and networking sites like Stack Overflow.

Hackathons like the one sponsored by Major League Hacking each year offer still more chances for programmers to display, hone, and advance their knowledge and skills. ACM's advancing education initiative offers continuing education programs for children and adults at all levels. The ACM Learning Center, under the guidance of the education board and advisory committee, hosts an array of learning resources including case studies, a distinguished speaker program, and online textbooks. Offered through the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the computer society professional education program provides access to publications and a digital library, and it builds communities of like-minded students and professionals.

Programmers can take courses and earn certifications in software development and engineering. Founded as a collaboration between Harvard and MIT, edX works with institutional partners to offer college courses in computer programming, programming languages, and related topics to learners around the world. Edhesive, dedicated to bringing STEM to school in an affordable, effective way, provides classes in coding, computer science principles, statistics, and related topics.

Teachers enjoy access to training and support as they engage with the online curricula. OpenCourseWare at MIT includes materials from 2, of the school's courses to expand knowledge and engage learners. OpenCourseWare offers introductory programming courses, language-specific courses, and advanced courses for programmers at all stages of their careers.

Courses integrate video content, written information, and projects to build knowledge and skills as they relate to the field. Codecademy teaches coding through classes integrating theoretical and practical activities. This allows coders to put their skills to use and receive immediate feedback on their work. Additional classes include career-specific options and nontechnical training.

Future computer programmers can find positions through internships and other activities conducted during their education. Career services on university and college campuses help with job-placement, as well. Campuses may sponsor job fairs and bring employers to students directly. Professional organizations also often provide career centers and job listings for aspiring and practicing computer programmers. Networking opportunities give computer programmers direct access to potential jobs. For more computer skills popular among administrative or clerical jobs, here is a list.

Any business that wants to grow needs more customers. More and more customers are searching online for solutions to their problems. Today, the most effective and measurable marketing efforts occur through digital marketing. Digital marketing includes everything from website development to social media management to paid digital advertising.

The increasing capabilities of computers to collect and sort data give marketers more tools to target their ideal customers. Computer programming involves creating, launching, maintaining, and testing computer software and applications. There are a number of different jobs that involve software development, including software developer , programmer , software architect, software analyst, and more. To be able to develop, implement, or test software, you have to have a number of highly technical computer skills, often known more specifically as coding skills.

You generally need to be familiar with various coding languages and web technologies as well. Skills related to either software or hardware development or both include:. Creating visually-attractive content for documents, posters, and slide presentations is a highly desirable skill. The world of graphic design includes creating signs to video editing and more. A single project might well pass through multiple computer programs, and a skilled professional needs to know how all relevant programs work and which ones are appropriate at each stage of the project.

Graphic design skills that are growing in demand include:. A good spreadsheet or database not only stores information but also makes it easy to reorganize the information quickly to answer new questions, or even conduct certain kinds of data analysis and processing.

A spreadsheet can handle anything from payroll accounts to lists of all the characters and all their characteristics for a novel.

As we noted above, professional-level skill means more than simply knowing how to use a spreadsheet or database; you also must know which spreadsheet or database program to use and how to structure it for any given project. Skills useful for spreadsheet and database management include:.

Using computers is one thing. Being able to fix them is another. Basic IT skills begin with knowing how and when to do routine maintenance and how to cope with frozen programs or damaged USB ports. Thorough familiarity with the software and hardware of many different types of computer systems, including all lesser-known features, is key. IT troubleshooting skills include:.

In this all-encompassing digital age, power grids and military equipment and more are all managed by computers. Computer hackers have the ability to disrupt major infrastructural functions if companies and governments do not take their cyber security seriously. Among the most important cybersecurity skills are:. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful!

What are Computer Skills Computer skills or computer literacy refer to the knowledge and set of abilities that allow you to use computers and new technology efficiently and effectively.

Basic computer skills include: word processing software, access the Internet, manage files, or create presentations. Advanced computer skills include: accessing databases, advanced spreadsheets knowledge, and coding. Computer skills comprise the vast majority of technical skills that companies desire from their employees. For example, a recent survey conducted by LinkedIn reveals that such skills as cloud and distributed computing, statistical analysis and data mining, data presentation, or marketing campaign management are among the top sought-after computer skills.

Let's see in detail what the most important computer skills are. Computer Skills List for a Resume The lists below present some of the most popular and useful computer skills to put on a resume.

It includes basic and advanced skills. The basic computer skills lists include the abilities and software packages most job seekers should be at least casually familiar with. The advanced computer skills lists focus on more specialized skill sets and software solutions. You can use these lists to familiarize yourself with what computer skills there are or think of them as a master list to help you identify the skills you want to include in your resume.

Learn how to identify the best skills for your resume. Here are some software skills to list on your resume: 1. Almost every position requires you to have at least a basic ability to use one or more of the following applications: Access Excel OneNote Outlook Powerpoint Word 2.

Email Yes. Knowing how to write and send emails counts is a computer skill. Web and coding If your job has anything to do with the web, a basic grasp of the computer skills listed below will definitely come in handy. Social Media Social media has become part and parcel of our day-to-day life.

Most companies have social media profiles, and people who know how to manage them effectively are always in demand. Tell the employer what it is exactly you can do: manage ad campaigns, develop audiences, drive user engagement, etc.