A systems programmer works on the internal operations of computers. They write code that tells a computer how to interact with its hardware and its applications. These codes tell a computer how to accomplish a specific task, such as word processing or spreadsheet calculation.

The systems programmer works within the framework set out by systems analysts. He then has to employ existing systems or incorporate new technologies to reach those objectives. For example he may be told to write a new piece of code that integrates with an old code for the program to work with a new piece of hardware.

The System Programmer is like a hit-man - handed a technical specifications to a piece of hardware, and told to write a code that takes only a few hours to do - then they might be moved to a different project, working on code inherited from previous projects.

The work that a System Programmer does is highly complex and technical in nature. Besides a clear mastery of the programming language, they need to proficient in mathematics and possess a keen sense of logic. This is because each piece of code - while achieving an objective - can be unique and thus written in a totally different way. People in the industry will tell you a good piece of code is like a masterpiece that makes them marvel at in in awe.

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