Basically, writing software (computer programs) involves describing processes, procedures; it involves the authoring of algorithms. Computer programming involves developing lists of instructions - the source code representation of software. The stuff that these instructions manipulate is different types of objects, e.g., numbers, words, images, sounds, etc. Creating a computer program can be like composing music like designing a house, like creating lots of stuff. It has been argued that in its current state it is an art not engineering.

SOFTWARE PROGRAMMER can advance to become information technology (IT) project managers, also called computer and information systems managers, a position in which they oversee the software development process. Employment of SOFTWARE PROGRAMMER is projected to grow 19 percent, and employment of systems developers is projected to grow 13 percent. The main reason for the rapid growth in both applications developers and systems developers is a large increase in the demand for computer software.