Commercial computer programmers are also known as software engineers, or software-developers. Computing-devices have operated programs and applications since their first release, and so software engineering has become very well developed. With no programs to instruct them, electronic devices would simply be 'dumb' containers with no role to play. There are programs running just about every piece of technological hardware you own. DVD or Blu-ray players for example have a thing known as 'firmware' which essentially is a basic operating-system that allows the kit to play. Think of the Navigation Menu that pops up when you're watching a DVD - that's software, & so is the on screen interface which you use to set a recording on your TV. When you enjoy a film on DVD, what's actually happening is a bit of a software program has pulled the 1's and 0s from the disc, and de-crypted them at fantastic speed into video information.

A number of years ago MS up-dated their major qualification paths. They up-graded from their previous 'MCAD/MCSD' ('Microsoft Certified Application/Solutions Developer') exams to the 'MCTS' (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) and the 'MCPD' (Microsoft Certified Professional Developer) examinations. Before you can tackle the complete MCPD examination, you should finish two 'MCTS' programs first of all. Don't be fooled by the fact that MS call their initial module a 'foundation' module. If you are not used to programming, look at taking a programming introduction module first of all. It is best to also gain a reasonable knowledge of software environments & software support first, so think about starting your studies by doing a support-program. A support qualification will allow you to to obtain your first I.T. job. A complete career-track will need roughly 600 to 700 hrs of training time, so if you're studying part time you should be able to complete within around 12 - 18 months.

Recognising where you'd like to arrive at is essential before beginning this (or any other) technical certification program, so that you can schedule the correct route. When you don't start out with the end in mind, but merely sign up for what looks like the most reasonable looking program, chances are you'll find yourself in the wrong place altogether! Programming and software qualifications are not really easy to understand, and if you don't choose them carefully it can seem like you are walking through a mine-field! Our IT advisors can help clarify everything to suit your needs. You could save many months or even sometimes years of precious time, and a lot of investment with an informed conversation.

Low level 'languages' like 'C' are widely-used by systems programmers - the current edition has made great strides since the early days & is actually now much more accessible. Higher-level 'languages' are employed by applications programmers. Each of these 'languages' (& there are a lot!) are unique; they each have their own instructions and rules and each are meant to be more suited to specific tasks. Corporate database software, for example, tends to be written in 'languages' that suit that environment, whereas video games are generally written in low-level languages like 'C' - as they must be able to run as quickly as they can. If you are writing a database application, it is irrelevant if your screen 're-draws' in one 10th of a second or a 100th of a second, whereas with games, it matters a whole lot. As a result, a database oriented language gives you functions built to help make your job a lot easier - instead of stripping things away so that it can run faster. It's rather like making a difference between a family-estate car and a racing-car. The five or more seater estate is practical & more comfortable, but its not created for speed. For the function of getting the kids from one place to another though, it does the job nicely.

In its most basic format, a program will make use of a certain 'language' to tell electronic equipment exactly how to carry out a function. Naturally, this is a considerable over-simplification. When you get to the complexity of 'Windows' on your computer, its likely you'll find getting on for 100 individual programs operating behind the scenes, enabling the operating system so you can perform tasks. Basically, there's two types of software programs for computers; the operating-system (or low level) software, & the applications that run together with those systems. One of the most well-known operating systems on the planet is MS 'Windows'. Windows is an extremely complicated suite of programs, all inter-acting together to control everything - the space on the desktop, how you inter-act with it, your internet & network access, all the storage-mediums and all of the connecting-devices.

We are now seeing a fast-progressing movement in the direction of internet and network based software, as the concept of 'cloud computing' is starting to become a reality. This is the term which means that all your files are saved out in the ether, for them to be accessed from any place. Everything - right down to the basic processing - is done out in the 'cloud' of computers. At some point the only real requirement will be for you to have an incredibly basic 'terminal' plugged in to the network (or obviously wirelessly connected to it).

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