DateKate

What the difference between:

Computer networking technology
Computer programming technology
Computer science
Computer Engineering Technology

I want to build computers and make programs. Does that mean I would do Computer engineering and then computer programming technology?
Would simply doing computer science and engineering be a "catch-all" for what I want?

Any advice on where I can understand computer fields?

I was looking into this:

http://www.mcc.commnet.edu/academic/divisionsCBT.php

You say that you would like to build computers (hardware I’m assuming) and write programs for those computers. To start off I have to admit that your career outlook is looking very good if you stick with it. To answer your question as best I can I’m breaking those four careers down.

Computer networking is, according to me, building and maintaining a network for most likely a business’s data or mainframe. I’m assuming you’d be dealing a lot with how to configure network routers, gateways, and access points, and you might be doing quite a bit of actual physical maintenance of the servers. (most likely referred to as the IT field (information technology))

Computer programming depends a lot on the language that you plan to learn. I think that C++ is the main language for basic personal computers. Cobol is mainly for business and FORTRAN is usually for engineering programs. As a programmer your outlook isn’t looking to great in my opinion. A lot of programming work is being outsourced to India for cheaper labor, but I could be wrong.

I think that computer science is basically forming and studying algorithms. When you write a program, let’s say in C++, you have to use a certain syntax to write your source code. If the wrong syntax is used you will get a compiler error when you try to run it on your terminal. In your source code you may need to develop an equation or system of equations to form a solution. That is basically your algorithm.

Computer engineering is BIG BIG BIG money. I have a few friends who are CSciE majors (Computer Science and Engineering) that love what they are doing and they have a great career outlook. It deals a lot with circuit design, software rendering, and hardware manufacturing. An example CSciE job would be at like HP or somewhere in Silicon Valley developing microprocessors, circuit boards, etc. This field has a lot to do with Electrical Engineering as well.

I’m sorry if I didn’t explain anything too terribly well. Most of the information I know about this topic is what I learned from friends. Personally I’m going for a major in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Astrophysics so…..I probably won’t have too much experience developing programs etc. I wish you all the best in pursuing your career of choice, especially in computing, because the more knowledgable computing professionals we have here in America, the less we’ll have to outsource to India. Have a good one.