What Is Computer Programming?

A degree may open the door to a variety of opportunities and diverse career paths. The degree programs offered at CTU will not necessarily lead to the featured careers. This collection of articles is intended to help inform and guide you through the process of determining which level of degree and types of certifications align with your desired career path.

Computer programming has helped to shape the modern world. Whenever we write an email, use an electronic spreadsheet, access a bank account online, or play a video game, we are doing so thanks to computer programming.

But what is computer programming? Simply put, computer programming is the process of writing instructions, or computer code, that tells a computer what to do.¹ The people who carry out this process of writing, updating, and testing computer code are called computer programmers.

In this article, we dive deeper into what computer programmers do, compare back-end and front-end programming/web development, look at some common programming languages, and discuss potential career paths in computer programming.

What Does a Computer Programmer Do?

Computer programmers write the code or script that enables computer software and applications to run. They also run tests to ensure that new software and applications function as expected; they will modify the code or scripts when needed to fix any mistakes or bugs. In some organizations, a computer programmer’s duties may overlap with those of software developers.²

For entry-level computer programming roles, a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field (such as a degree in computer programming or mathematics) is typically required, along with knowledge of and experience with multiple coding languages.²

Although programmers learn how to code in school, they still have to keep up with the latest developments in those programming languages, and eventually they may have to learn additional languages. Taking continuing education classes or participating in professional development seminars may be required to keep up with changing technology. For those who choose to pursue a computer programmer career path, obtaining programming language certification or product certification may also be necessary.²

Back-End vs. Front-End Web Development

Web developers are a type of computer programmer that creates and maintains websites. Often, they focus on either front-end or back-end development.⁵

Front-end web developers specialize in developing the user interface (UI), or the parts of a website that a user interacts with. To do this, they write computer code, often utilizing HTML or JavaScript. Front-end web developers develop the site layout and incorporate graphics and various applications (checkout tools, drop-down menus, forms) into the user interface.⁵

In contrast, back-end web developers are responsible for the parts a user does not necessarily see, such as the site’s underlying framework or infrastructure, and its basic functionality. They also establish procedures that enable others to add pages to the site.⁵

Full-stack web developers are proficient in the complete process of software development, both front-end and back-end programming—a/k/a the entire technology stack (or “full stack”).⁶

Examples of Computer Programming Languages

• HTML: HTML is short for “Hypertext Markup Language.” Though there is some debate whether HTML is a programming language or a markup language, HTML is considered the most basic building block of the web, defining the meaning and structure of web content.⁷
• JavaScript: JavaScript is a scripting/programming language that allows for the implementation of complex features on webpages (dynamically updating content, animated images, etc.).⁸ Essentially, it is used to make webpages interactive. It can also be used as a scripting language for non-browser environments, such as Adobe Acrobat.⁹
• Java: Java is an object-oriented programming language and software platform whose rules and syntax are based on C and C++ programming languages. It is highly portable, meaning that once you write code for one Java program, it can run on any machine. Java is different from JavaScript in a couple of key ways—Java does not need to be compiled (JavaScript does), and Java can be run anywhere (JavaScript is only for web browsers).¹⁰
• SQL: SQL, or Structured Query Language, is a programming language for storing and processing information in a relational database (SQL database), i.e., a database where data is organized into rows and columns that together form tables, and the tables can be joined together by unique identifiers (keys), thus revealing relationships among the data.^11,12,13
• Python: Python is an interpreted, object-oriented, high-level programming language¹⁴ that has numerous applications, including web development, scientific and numeric computing, desktop GUIs (graphical user interfaces), software development, and e-commerce.¹⁵
• C++: C++ (pronounced C plus plus) is a general-purpose computer programming language for building software that has many applications, for example, in game development, virtual reality, graphical user interface (GUI) design, software engineering, and operating systems.¹⁶
• Ruby: Ruby is a completely object-oriented scripting language designed for front-end and back-end web development. Its high-level syntax makes programming almost feel like coding in English.¹⁷

Courses on Python, SQL, Java, and C++ are included in Colorado Technical University’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) online degree program.

Other Potential Computer Programming Career Paths

• Computer Systems Analyst: Computer programmers with general business experience may become computer systems analysts, also known as systems architects. Systems analysts study an organization’s computer systems and identify ways to improve them and make them more efficient. They calculate system requirements, prepare diagrams for the programmers and engineers who are building the system, and continue to problem-solve even after initial setup. Most have to do some programming as part of their job duties, but those who focus specifically on coding and de-bugging may be known as programmer analysts.¹⁸
• Software Developer: Experienced programmers may be able to pursue a software developer career path. Software developers create different types of computer applications and the operating systems that power devices or networks. Applications software developers focus on designing computer applications (e.g., games, word processing programs), software engineers take a holistic view of a software project or system, and systems software developers create operating systems and their user interfaces.¹⁹

Is a Computer Science Degree A Good Fit for You?

Pursuing a degree program involves significant time, effort, and financial commitments. Whether or not pursuing a computer science degree program is “right for you” is a determination only you can make.

But if you are a working adult who is interested in computer programming, the online degree programs at CTU offer a high level of flexibility that can make it easier to pursue your educational goals. You can study and complete your coursework when it is convenient for you, making it easier to advance your education without having to put your life on hold.

Whether you are looking for a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree program in computer science, CTU has you covered. Learn more about our Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS), Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS), and Doctor of Computer Science (DCS) online degree programs today.

You can also explore our full range of engineering and computer science degree programs.

¹ “A computer program is nothing but a set of instructions (smallest unit of execution) that are used to execute particular tasks to get particular results.” Geeks for Geeks, “What Is a Computer Program?” (updated July 23, 2025), https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/computer-organization-architecture/what-is-a-computer-program/.
² Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Computer Programmers,” https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-programmers.htm (last visited Feb. 2, 2026).
³ Computer Security Research Center (CSRC), National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), “Glossary—Script,” https://csrc.nist.gov/glossary/term/script (last visited Feb. 2, 2026).
⁴ Computer Security Research Center (CSRC), National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), “Glossary—Interpreter,” https://csrc.nist.gov/glossary/term/interpreter (last visited Feb. 2, 2026).
⁵ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Web Developers and Digital Designers,” https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm (last visited Feb. 2, 2026).
⁶ MongoDB, “Full Stack Development Explained,” https://www.mongodb.com/resources/basics/full-stack-development (last visited Feb. 2, 2026).
⁷ Mozilla Development Network (MDN), “HTML: HyperText Markup Language,” https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTML (last visited Feb. 2, 2026).
⁸ Mozilla Development Network (MDN), “What Is JavaScript?,” https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/What_is_JavaScript (last visited Feb. 2, 2026).
⁹ Mozilla Development Network (MDN), “JavaScript,” https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript (last visited Feb. 2, 2026).
¹⁰ IBM, “What Is Java?,” https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/java (last visited Feb. 2, 2026).
¹¹ AWS, “What Is SQL (Structured Query Language)?,” https://aws.amazon.com/what-is/sql/ (last visited Feb. 2, 2026).
¹² IBM, “What Is Structured Query Language (SQL)?,” https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/structured-query-language (last visited Feb. 2, 2026).
¹³ IBM, “What Is a Relational Database?,” https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/relational-databases (last visited Feb. 2, 2026).
¹⁴ Python, “What Is Python? Executive Summary,” https://www.python.org/doc/essays/blurb/ (last visited Feb. 2, 2026).
¹⁵ Python, “Applications for Python,” https://www.python.org/about/apps/ (last visited Feb. 2, 2026).
¹⁶ Coursera Staff, “What is C++? (And How to Learn It)” (updated Sep. 10, 2025), https://www.coursera.org/articles/what-is-c-plus-plus.
¹⁷ Oracle, “What Is Ruby?,” https://www.oracle.com/developer/what-is-ruby-for-developers/ (last visited Feb. 2, 2026).
¹⁸ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Computer Systems Analysts,” https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-systems-analysts.htm (last visited Feb. 2, 2026).
¹⁹ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers,” https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm (last visited Feb. 2, 2026).

Colorado Technical University cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. Not all programs are available to residents of all states. REQ2195001 02/2026.