Computer Science as a Career :: Computer Programming, Coding

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The field of Computer Science is based primarily on computer programing. Programming is the writing of computer programs using letters and numbers to make "code". The average computer programer will write at least a million lines of code in his or her lifetime. But even more important than writting code, a good programer must be able to solve problems and think logicaly.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The working conditions for a programer very greatly. Most banks require their programers to wear a suit and attend an office during normal work hours. On the other side of the buisness, many game company's and Dot-Com-start-up's allow and incurage a fun work environment. Often including toys, cubicle sleep-in's and cold pizza haphazardly laying accross many a desk. Yet nomatter what the company they all involve the employe to stare at a monitor for endless hours and write the applications of tomorrow on a standard keyboard.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many programers devote themselves to their craft and thus are compeled to sleep little and acomplish the work in front of them. After leaving the office, (if at all) it is not unusual to spend 8 more hours on the same project at home.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The starting salary for a collage grad or someone of equal ability is about 50-60 a year. High positions requiring people with rare intelect and skill pay up to $300,000.00 per year plus benefits. A rare few achiev millions of dollars on independant/self-employed ventures.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Some things can not be taught and must be present in the prospective programer. For example: the ability to aproach problems methodicaly and solve them with logic. However, Other skills can be tought. Comp. Sci. is becoming widely available in collages and even Highschools. Some technical schools now claim to teach an entire programing language in months.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Opportunities in the field are extremely available to qualified personel. I have heard first-hand accounts of people being yanked out of collage for a programming position at $80,000 a year. With the expanding of the market for technology, comes the need for programers of all backgrounds. Job-security is pretty good as long as you dont kill somebody(wich recently happened at a dot-com-start-up). And the outlook for promotions is good considering the shortage of programers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are disadvanges to being a programer. One being that you must risk eye damage with a computer screen every day.