Computer-Programming, also known as software development or engineering, is yet another expansive field of IT. The profession has been around & expanding for as much time as computers themselves have been around. Without a computer software, pretty much all electronics would just be dumb containers that didn't actually do anything. Almost every item of technological hardware that exists incorporates a program within it. DVD or Blu-ray players for example have something called firmware which essentially is a simple operating system which allows the equipment to play. The on screen interface that you use to set-up a TV recording, or even the Navigation Menu that appears when watching a DVD is all software. When you see a movie on DVD, what's actually going on is a bit of a software program has drawn the 1's & 0s off the disc, & de-crypted them at amazing speed into video-information.

At its simplest level then, we can say software engineering is merely communicating to electronic equipment how to do its job by using certain languages. However this is clearly an enormously simplified explanation of it. At the complexity of your 'Windows' desktop-computer, you'll probably find as much as one hundred different programs which are running in the background, all sustaining the system and allowing you to actually do things. There are in fact two different types of computer programs. There's the operating-system software, that's low level, and the applications software. Windows from MS is most likely the operating system the majority of us are familiar with. This really is a vastly complex selection of programs which work together and run your desktop space, how you interact with it, all of the storage-mediums and network access, as well as all the pieces of kit that are connected to the PC.

C is generally the most commercially viable languages for the trainee computer programmer to begin studying. This language is extremely disciplined, and therefore many more have emerged from it. Once you have perfected how to write programs in C, you'll find the transition to others is more intuitive. Microsoft supports C very well - it is the key systems 'language', and one of the major 'languages' in both MS Visual-Studio & it's range of certifications. The fact that Microsoft endorse it so eagerly, and provide a large range of professional certification in this language, is yet another reason why it is worthwhile going after it as a place to start. As a matter of interest, C began daily life during the 1960's (it wasn't actually labelled 'C' till the seventies however.) It made the change to something called object oriented 'C++' (which means its program is not only a single, linear sequence of activities - it can be several objects communicating with each other) in the 1980's. At the turn of the century, MS launched a .NET enabled variation which came to be known as C# ('C' sharp,) taking us all to where we are today. '.Net' was obviously a big advancement, as Windows software writers could now access pre-written programs that accomplished so many basic tasks on their behalf.

The leading MS qualification tracks were upgraded a few years ago, when they moved from the older 'MCAD'/'MCSD' (Microsoft Certified Application/Solutions Developer) to the more modern MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) and MCPD ('Microsoft Certified Professional Developer') examinations. Usually, there are two 'MCTS' pre-requisite examinations before you move on to the entire 'MCPD' examination. Don't be misled by the fact that Microsoft name their 1st unit a 'foundation' module. If you're not used to programming, think of doing a programming introductory module first. You should also gain a really good knowledge of software environments and software support first, so consider starting off your training by doing a support-program. This will allow you to enter into the sector doing support work while you continue your studies. Standard study times would probably be approximately 600-700 hours for the full career track, and therefore you'd generally program for 12 - 18 months of part-time study.

We are now seeing a fast-progressing movement towards internet and network-based software, as the concept of 'Cloud computing' starts to become a reality. 'Cloud computing' is the term for files that may be accessed from any location, because they are stored out in the ether. In fact even the raw-processing is performed elsewhere on one of many computer systems in the 'cloud'. The only requirement ultimately is going to be an incredibly basic, slightly-dumb 'terminal' that is plugged (or wirelessly-connected) in to the Network.

Software engineers working on systems use 'languages' like C. The C of today is a low level user friendly 'language' which hardly resembles the initial version. Software engineers focusing on applications use higher-level 'languages', of which you can find a whole lot. Every one has its own specific group of rules and commands, and some suit particular tasks over others. As an example a programmer writing database-software for corporate use would work with a language that suits that environment, but a software engineer writing games software would probably use 'C', to achieve rapid running-speeds. When you're creating a database application, then it does not matter if your screen re-draws in a tenth of a second or a 100th of a second, whereas in video games, it matters a whole lot. We need features that are intended to make life easier for the database-user, and so a stripped down language for speed is completely inappropriate. It's rather like the difference between the family-estate car and a racing car. The family estate is much more relaxing and affordable, but the trade-off is handling and speed. For the purposes of taking the young ones from home to school though, it ticks all the right boxes.

As with any other 'technical' accreditation, an exact goal must be achieved on where you want to get to, to ensure the right route to that position can be calculated. If you simply take on training without considering where you want to end up, you'll likely get there and discover you are in some other place altogether! Programming and software accreditations are not really straightforward, & if you don't pick them carefully it could appear that you're treading through a minefield! Our industry experts can help clarify things to suit your needs. You could save yourself many months or sometimes years of precious time, and a lot of money with a knowledgeable dialogue.

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