The data processing manager

There are various computer professionals who carry out the different functions of the data processing field. In many companies the three areas are supervised by a manager or director of data processing. The data processing manager is responsible for the administration of the entire computer department. He or she directs and coordinates all the functions of the computer and supervises all the personnel involved with computers.

The system analyst

Another job in the computer field is that of the system analyst. The system analyst often has a great deal of knowledge about computer and computer operations. He or she is the data processing professional whose job is to design and develop all the systems which will be used on a particular computer system. The system analyst must first analyze the information needs. He or she must then interpret the company’s needs and decide how to utilize the computer to fulfill them. In addition, the systems analyst must also know how to program. He or she must be an expert in hardware as well as software.

Sometimes the system analyst specializes in a particular field. Engineering or scientific analyst may work with international communication systems. The commercial applications analyst, in contrast, is a person who deals with all the different aspects of the business area. Another specialization within systems analysis is that of operations research. The system analyst who specializes in operations research must make mathematical models of the various problems. These models are then used to provide a quantitative or statistical basis for the decisions the analyst makes.

Many systems analysts know programming very well because they were once programmers themselves.

The computer programmer

The systems analyst studies and solves a particular problem. He or she then designs the systems that are needed to carry out the solution. After the systems analyst finishes the job, a programmer is consulted. The programmer is responsible for actually writing the programs for the systems designed by the analyst. The programmer first prepares a flowchart, a type of chart which illustrates the logic of the program. Next the programmer chooses a language, and writes a program. Then he or she tests and debugs the program. Finally documentation – detailed explanations of the programmer’s work – is prepared.

Many programmers specialize in one field. Such specialized programmers are called applications programmers. An application programmer usually specializes in either business or science. A programmer may also specialize in developing software for the operating system of a computer.

There are different levels of experience and responsibility in the field of programming. Senior programmers design complex flowcharts for programs. Junior programmers often code, that is, write instructions in a programming language.

The computer operator

The area of computer operations deals with the daily activities of the computer. Computer operators have many different responsibilities. For example, the operator starts up the computer system, and makes sure it is working correctly. The operator also organizes schedules and keeps records of all the work performed by the computer. Moreover, the computer operator often serves an apprenticeship in order to acquire the skills necessary to run the computer.