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DID YOU KNOW? Computers used to be very large. Some of the earliest computers could fill an entire room and weighed about 27 tons!

Computer programmers work with software, or information that is stored on the hard physical pieces inside a computer’s case. It is called software because it is not something you can touch or feel. Even though hardware is needed for a computer to turn on, software is needed for it to function. Operating systems are the most complex type of computer program. They allow the computer to work and other computer programs to run. Two examples are Microsoft Windows and macOS. A computer scientist has designed and created every single program you use on your computer. Every website you look at was planned, programmed, and maintained by someone who works in information technology (IT)—the name of the industry that produces computer hardware and software. Computers no longer just sit on our desks or kitchen tables. Some computers are very small. Most electronic systems contain computers. Examples include an oven, a television, and a car. Smartphones now have countless available programs, or apps . In fact, your mobile phone is actually a tiny computer that can fit into the palm of your hand. People can even wear computer devices (known as wearable technology ) to gather information and help them become healthier, better manage their time, or meet other life goals. Computers are no longer just stand-alone objects and are often linked through the internet to one another. Scientists have named these interconnected devices the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT is a network of appliances, vehicles, and other devices that are embedded with electronics, sensors, software, and other technology that allows them to communicate with each other and share information.

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CAREERS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY