As computers have become essential in business and in leisure, the demand for computer programmers has skyrocketed. ICT (Information and Communications Technology) is a multi billion euro business for Ireland. In 2009, ICT accounted for €50 billion of Irish exports, and 2,500 new jobs were announced in this sector alone between January and October 2010, and these employment figures look set to continue. The Innovation Taskforce has estimated that at least 177,000 Irish jobs could be created by 2020.
Some programmers develop or modify software for a specific purpose such as data collection systems (for example, survey or employee time-keeping software), media players, or accounting programs. Microsoft’s programming language VBA is used to construct forms, reports, and other controls to increase functionality in various Microsoft Office applications, in particular Access. Microsoft also maintains the .NET framework, which allows programmers to integrate different applications and devices, in particular with the internet and multimedia technologies.
Programmers can also work on a larger scale, developing computer, networking, and operating systems. PHP and Java, commonly used to create dynamic multimedia web pages, are among the main programming languages used on the internet. Oracle and MySQL are both relational databases management systems and are used extensively for network purposes in both corporations and for web applications. C and C++ are programming languages used to create both systems and application software as well as entertainment software such as video games.
Computer Programming is a competitive and dynamic career with changes and innovation in the industry occurring at breakneck speed. An education in the fundamentals is necessary but so too is continuing education and upskilling to keep up with and understand the developing industry. There are many short courses that concentrate on programming for particular software, as well as others that offer a longer and broader education.
Procad Training in Limerick offer many specific software training classes. The Microsoft Access VBA course, for example, has a practical structure that enables the student to learn quickly. Course content includes VBA code to construct robust data forms that help improve accuracy upon entry and also at the other end add functionality to a database.
Whitehall College in Dublin offers a one year full-time course in Media Software Development. This course teaches how to integrate different types of media such as images, video, sound, and text within overall systems. At the end of the course, a Level 5 FETAC/NCVA Information Technology Award is granted. Whitehall College also offers a Level 6 two year course in Software Systems. The course focuses on computer networks, and classes in Windows and Java programming as well as database methods are offered. Upon completion, the FETAC/NCVA Networks and Software Systems qualification is granted alongside the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) award.
Typically programmers have specialised expertise in particular industries such as medical imaging or international finance. However some programming skills, like those needed for artificial intelligence or robotics, are used in many different areas from kitchen appliances to military defence. We live in a dynamic and ever changing high-tech society and programmers are the backbone of that evolution. For more details on programming and other IT Training courses why not check out our IT Training / Computing Courses section on Findacourse.ie
