A.

CAREERS IN DATA PROCESSING

Exercise 1. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words for no. 1-10!
Data processing, (1)........... (yang) is one of the most rapidly growing fields in the
world today, (2)............ (menawarkan) opportunities for many interesting
careers. (3).................. (Ada) several types of jobs which are common to the field
of data processing (4) ................. (apakah) an individual works for a large
corporation, a small business, a government agency, or (5)...................
(perusahaan pengembangan dan penelitian komputer). The particular duties
of each job may vary, however, depending upon a particular organization or
company. (6)................. (meskipun) the differences in individual jobs, there are
several types of careers which (7)........... (to be) usually the same in
(8) ........................ (lingkungan kerja apapun). The types of jobs common in the
data processing field may also (9).................. (mirip) whether a person
(10)............. (bekerja) with microcomputers or large mainframe computers. This
chapter will examine some of the most typical careers found in the field of data
processing.

Exercise 2. Find the passive form from part B-C!

B. AREAS OF DATA PROCESSING: SYSTEMS ANALYSIS,

PROGRAMMING, AND OPERATIONS

The data processing field is usually divided into three areas: systems analysis,
programming, and operations. Systems analysis is the area which is concerned
with the design and development of computer systems. Programming is the area
which involves writing programs––instructions for the computer. These programs
should implement the systems designed by the analyst. That is, they should get
1
the systems working to accomplish the goals the analysts have specified. Finally,
operations is the field of data processing that deals with the daily functions or
operations of the computer system.

C. 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 which constitute all
computer functions are supervised by a manager or director of data processing.
The data processing manager is responsible for the administration of the entire
computer department. Thus, he or she not only directs and coordinates all the
functions of the computer, but also supervises all the personnel––the people––
involved with computers. The data processing director, who usually has many
years of experience and a college degree in computers or a related field, may
often work directly with the top management of the company where he or she is
employed.

Exercise 3. Find the adjective clauses from part D!

D. THE SYSTEMS ANALYST
Another job in the computer field is the systems analyst. The systems analyst
often has a great deal of knowledge about computers 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 systems
analyst must first analyze the information needs of his or her employer. He or she
must then interpret the company's needs and decide how to utilize the computer to
fulfill them in the most efficient way. In addition, the systems analyst must also
know how to program. Furthermore, as the systems analyst usually determines
what kind of equipment is best for a particular job, he or she must be an expert in
hardware as well as software.
2
 Sometimes the systems analyst specializes in a particular field. For
example, the 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. Operations
research is not only a very rapidly growing field today, but is one which is
generally considered to be very interesting and challenging. The systems analyst
who specializes in operations research must make mathematical models of the
various problems which are presented to him or her. These models are then used
to provide a quantitative or statistical basis for the decisions the analyst makes.
Systems analysts are usually required to have a college degree and experience in
the data processing field. They generally also have training in and a knowledge of
programming. In fact, many systems analysts know programming very well
because they were once programmers themselves. Indeed, it is not at all unusual
to find that many systems analysts are programmers who have been promoted.

Exercise 4. Change the positive sentences (+) into negative (-) from part E!
E. 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, who often knows
several computer languages, chooses a language, and writes the program. Then he
or she tests and debugs the program, correcting any mistakes which it might
contain. Finally documentation–– detailed explanations of the programmer’s
work––is prepared. Like systems analysts, many programmers specialize in one
3
field. Such specialized programmers are called applications programmers. The
applications programmer usually specializes in either business or science. A
programmer may also specialize in developing software for the operating system
of a computer. The operating system is a collection of programs which are used to
direct all of the different activities the computer carries out. The programmer who
specializes in this type of software is called a systems programmer.
There are different levels of experience and responsibility in the field of
programming. Senior programmers, who are generally in charge of projects and
have a great deal of experience and expertise, design complete flowcharts for
programs. Junior programmers often code, that is, write instructions in a
programming language, from the flowcharts designed by the senior programmers.
Junior programmers may also develop small parts of a large program in order to
acquire programming experience. Besides senior and junior programmers, some
companies have programmer trainees. These trainees must go through on-the-job
training before being allowed to code programs.
The skills required for these types of programming jobs depend upon the
level of responsibility of each position. A senior programmer's job usually
requires experience and a college degree. A junior programming position might
only require a college or high school degree. However, all programmers,
especially those who must deal with a wide variety of computer applications,
should have one important quality––a logical way of thinking.

Exercise 5. Change the sentences into interrogative (?) from part E!

F. THE COMPUTER OPERATOR
The area of computer operations deals with the daily activities of the computer.
Computer operators have many different responsibilities because they carry out
the tasks that must be done regularly in order for the computer to function
properly. For example, the operator starts up the computer system, and makes
4
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. During this training period, the operator may perform a variety
of tasks including getting and setting up all necessary computer equipment.

Exercise 6. Find the noun phrases from part G and H!

G. OTHER JOBS IN DATA PROCESSING
Other jobs in the computer field include the data entry operator and the program
librarian. The data entry operator’s job consists mainly of entering data into the
computer. The program librarian is responsible for cataloging or keeping records
of programs, data, etc. Still another very important position in data processing is
that of computer technician. The technician, whose job is very important to the
smooth operation of a computer system, fixes all the computer hardware.

H. JOBS WITH MICROCOMPUTERS

In large corporations the different positions in data processing may be separate
jobs which are held by one individual. In other, perhaps smaller, companies, job
responsibilities are often combined into one position such as programmer / analyst
or programmer / operator. These types of combinations are especially common
when dealing with microcomputers. While there are separate jobs for
microcomputer analysts, programmers, or technicians, many companies combine
all these jobs into one––the microcomputer specialist. Such a specialist is often
expert in all aspects of personal computers. Another area which has grown in
importance with the popularity of microcomputers is that of software evaluation
or review. Many companies hire a person to look at all the software available for
the type of personal computers they use. The software specialist then decides
which programs will best meet the company’s needs.
5