The problem in perspective

ABSTRACT

The growth of computer programming is a function of two independent factors: the growth of the computer industry, and the increasing complexity of computer technology. Our domestic computer industry, of course, has expanded from a base of ten computer installations in 1951 to some 55,000 installed computers, and may exceed 70,000 by the end of 1968.1 The technology itself has grown in complexity at an equally rapid rate and, as a result, computers have become immensely more powerful and sophisticated. The confluence of these developments has led to an unprecedented need for programmers. In fact, the current programmer shortage is in excess of 50,000 in the U. S.2 By 1970 an additional 60,000 will be required, leading to a total shortage of 110,000, minus the 20,000 or so to be trained in the next two years.3

REFERENCES

• 1: Historical development of the computer market Moody's Computer Industry Survey Winter 1967-68 Trend of the industry Moody's Computer Industry Survey Fall 1967
• 2: G BYLINSKY Help wanted: 50,000 programmers Fortune Magazine March 1967
• 3: The state of the information processing industry AFIPS Report May 1966
• 4: D H BRANDON Jobs and careers in data processing Computers and Automation September 1966
• 5: J L HUGHES W J McNAMARA Programmer aptitude test—revised edition International Business Machines Corporation
• 6: R A DICKMANN J LOCKWOOD 1966 survey of test use in computer personnel selection Computer Personnel Research Group

INDEX TERMS

Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.1 THE COMPUTER INDUSTRY
      Subjects: Markets

General Terms:
Human Factors, Management