IV. Put the questions to the words and word-combinations in bold type.

Employment of programmers, however, is expected to grow much more slowly than that of other computer specialists. With the rapid gains in technology, sophisticated computer software now has the capability to write basic code, eliminating the need for more programmers to do this routine work. The consolidation and centralization of systems and applications, developments in packaged software, advances in programming languages and tools, and the growing ability of users to design, write, and implement more of their own programs means that more of the programming functions can be transferred from programmers to other types of workers. Furthermore, as the level of technological innovation and sophistication increases, programmers are likely to face increasing competition from programming businesses overseas, to which much routine work can be contracted out at a lower cost.

V. Answer the following questions to the text given below:

1. What programmers will employers continue to need?

2. What does it mean?

3. What programmers will organizations look for?

4. What should demand for programmers with strong object-oriented programming capabilities and technical specialization in areas such as client/server programming, wireless applications, multimedia technology, and graphic user interface (GUI) arise from?

5. What will programmers also be needed to do?

6. What will growing emphasis on cyber-security lead to?

Nevertheless, employers will continue to need programmers who have strong technical skills and who understand an employer’s business and its programming requirements. This means that programmers will have to keep abreast of changing programming languages and techniques. Given the importance of networking and the expansion of client/server, Web-based, and wireless environments, organizations will look for programmers who can support data communications and help to implement electronic commerce and Intranet strategies. Demand for programmers with strong object-oriented programming capabilities and technical specialization in areas such as client/server programming, wireless applications, multimedia technology, and graphic user interface (GUI) should arise from the expansion of intranets, extranets, and Internet applications. Programmers also will be needed to create and maintain expert systems and embed these technologies in more products. Finally, growing emphasis on cyber-security will lead to increased demand for programmers who are familiar with digital security issues and skilled in using appropriate security technology.

VI. Identify whether the following statements are true or false:

1. As programming tasks become increasingly sophisticated and additional levels of skill and experience are demanded by employers, graduates of 2-year programs and people with less than a 2-year degree or its equivalent in work experience shouldn’t face strong competition for programming jobs.

2. Competition for entry-level positions, however, also can affect applicants with a bachelor’s degree.

3. Prospects should be best for college graduates with knowledge of, and experience working with, a variety of programming languages and tools —including C++ and other object-oriented languages such as Java, as well as newer, domain-specific languages that apply to computer networking, database management, and Internet application development.

4. Obtaining vendor-specific or language-specific certification also can provide a competitive edge.

5. Because demand fluctuates with employers’ needs, jobseekers shouldn’t keep up to date with the latest skills and technologies.

6. Individuals who want to become programmers can enhance their prospects by combining the appropriate formal training with practical work experience.