Computer Professionalism — A Mirage?

Abstract

Computer professionals are different from other categories of professional workers. The question is can they call themselves professional in the accepted sense of the word? How do they compare to solicitors, doctors and the like? Computer workers tend to get over involved in the techniques of their job. They have a struggle to keep up with current developments and meet their ever encroaching deadlines. They have tended to stand aloof from the usual network of management and Trade Unions. But currently there are signs that the picture is changing because in many ways a Trade Union offers an alternative to joining a professional body, for certain categories of data practitioners.This paper also considers the validity of the Computing Bodies in the United Kingdom and whether they will achieve full professional maturity.