Programmers
Make the right business connections in the world’s
fastest-growing freelance marketplace.
Programmers are required in virtually every type of industry and many are independent contractors and consultants. In fact, programmers are perfectly placed to take advantage of telecommuting options due to the nature of the work and availability of cutting edge technology. It's becoming increasingly possible to interact with remote computer systems to make program adjustments or fix errors from your home office.
Many programmers have taken the freelance route and a large proportion are working in the computer services and data processing services fields. A strong demand for programmers also exists in the telecommunications, financial, insurance, manufacturing and engineering industries, as well as government agencies. companies business and technology requirements are constantly changing and many now choose to hire independent contractors because the duration of most projects are relatively short - usually running from weeks to months. It's actually a saving to the company not to hire permanent staff to undertake short-term projects or to retrain existing employees. For this reason, those who have the right skills and qualifications in the latest technologies and are proficient several programming languages are ideally positioned to capitalize on this trend.
Most programmers fix, modify and upgrade existing programs. And as the the technology needs of business change so do the type of skills that are demanded from programmers. Industry research suggests that programming languages like Java and C++ are in demand. There is also a growing focus on domain-specific languages for website database management, networking and Internet application development. The rapid evolution of technology means that it's essential to keep up to date with new developments in programming languages.
Knowledge of database systems is obviously an advantage and the ability to help implement electronic commerce and intranet strategies are valuable skills. The more languages you know, the better your chances of building a successful career as an independent contractor. Some of the main languages useful for freelance and contract programmers are:
- Java
- C/C++/C#
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Microsoft Visual InterDev
- Microsoft .NET
- Perl/CGI
- PHP/ASP/mySQL
- HTML / DHTML
- XML
- JavaScript / VBScript / Applets / JDK
- Delphi
- Flash
- Python
- Cold Fusion.
It is important to note, that many new languages are shifting away from the standard applications programming of years gone by. More and more, applications are being developed with a web based priority, and as the technology evolves, wireless application programming for mobile phones and PDA's. In the world of freelance programming, it's important to stay up to date on the trends and shifts that happen every few months.
In addition to having power over your bottom line, being an independent contractor puts you in the driver's seat in a number of ways. Including how, when and where you work right down to the source your projects - whether you use recruitment agencies, consulting firms or deal directly with the companies offering the jobs.
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