| Information technology is affecting culture and | | | | rapidly replaced by p-code, for example, used in |
| society in many important domains. Information | | | | the popular Java programming language, from |
| technology means using computers and computer | | | | Sun. The well known Microsoft software producer |
| software to acquire, convert process, transmit, | | | | is also using the byte-code in the .net language |
| protect and retrieve data. Computer science | | | | family. |
| includes many fields, such as programming | | | | There are many programming languages. Some |
| languages, computer graphics, hardware, and | | | | are already history, like COBOL or FORTRAN. |
| networks. | | | | Some are intensively used, like C and its versions. |
| In 2006, some magazines rated software | | | | C is a compiled programming language. It was |
| engineering as the best job in US. This | | | | designed to create Unix, a popular operating |
| appreciations in made in terms of growth, stress | | | | system. C++ is a compiled programming language |
| level, pay, creativity, flexibility in hours, working | | | | too. As its name is indicating, it is based on C and |
| environment. It is also easy to enter in advance in | | | | is great advantage is the object oriented |
| the software engineering field. | | | | programming. Is developed by Bjarne Stroustrup |
| Information Technology include many subfields, | | | | and one of its major advantages is the use of |
| one of the most important is networking. The | | | | anew paradigm, the classes. Java, popular, easy to |
| most common is the LAN (Local Area Network). | | | | learn and having the ability to be run on many |
| This network covers a local area. It is designated | | | | platforms, such as Linux, Mac OS and Microsoft, is |
| to be used in offices, group of buildings, office, | | | | an object oriented interpreted programming |
| college, home or libraries. Usually, LANs are using | | | | language. Not as popular as the other |
| Ethernet or Wi-Fi technology. The TCP/IP protocol | | | | programming language, but spectacular and often |
| is universal, and switched Ethernet is the most | | | | used in Artificial Intelligence domain, Lisp is many |
| common. The public knows the Internet | | | | times scripted too. Very popular, easy to learn |
| connection, the largest public network. | | | | and almost perfect to design customer application, |
| A spectacular and easy to use network is the | | | | Visual Basic is designed and developed by |
| wireless LAN or WLAN (wireless local area | | | | Microsoft. Every new version is bringing more |
| network). Wireless means that two o more | | | | functions. |
| computers are linked without cables. Radio waves | | | | But only a professional programmer can design |
| are making possible the communication between | | | | customer application only with a good knowledge |
| computers in a restricted area, named basic | | | | of one or more programming languages? The |
| service set. A laptop or PDA user can change his | | | | answer is no. System analysts are establishing the |
| location without loosing the network connection. | | | | projects main functions, its concepts and the |
| An access point is facilitating the permanent | | | | completion and implementation phases. The |
| connection. This type of network becomes more | | | | project must remain in its intended course and |
| and more popular; it is really efficient to use | | | | within its budget, delivered in time. Also very |
| laptops and PDAs without loosing the Internet | | | | important is to have a friendly interface for |
| connection and enjoying the mobility advantages | | | | unprofessional users and have a good relation with |
| in the same time. | | | | the customers even after the project is |
| But the most attractive part in the computers' | | | | implemented. |
| world is computer programming. This means | | | | Customer relationships management, human |
| writing a set of commands or instructions that | | | | resources management, fleet management, web |
| can be interpreted or compiled, transformed into | | | | based systems can be accessed from any |
| an executable file. This can be execute, giving or | | | | Internet browser on any platform. Fully integrated |
| no the expected results. Programming requires | | | | web based applications are now specifically |
| logic, first of all. But important knowledge of | | | | developed for small or big enterprises. A major |
| mathematics, science, physics, engineering, and art | | | | advantage is to provide reliable and secure |
| are required. Why art? A well designed menu in a | | | | communications, a lower cost for the |
| customer application is more attractive and easy | | | | infrastructure, a shorter time to market and |
| to use than a ugly one, even everything is | | | | flexibility of operations. Custom applications are |
| correct and logic. And what about web design? It | | | | designing software for a specific function or need. |
| means imaging, animations and presentations. | | | | The difference between customer applications and |
| Without a good taste in arts, a web site will never | | | | packaged applications is that a general set of |
| attract visitors, and it is its main function. | | | | features never can be customized to fulfill every |
| In software engineering, programming is only a | | | | function or requirement. Custom application can |
| phase in the custom application development | | | | design any feature the client needs, at low costs. |
| process. A computer can execute only the | | | | In our days, offshore programming is making |
| machine language programs. At the Information | | | | custom application affordable and efficient. Time |
| Technology beginnings, programmers worked only | | | | and money are not anymore limiting factors. |
| in machine code. It was very difficult and it was | | | | |