Conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure they will produce the desired information and that the instructions are correct.

“Conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure they will produce the desired information and that the instructions are correct.” is a core task performed by Computer Programmers. Among the occupation's 17 rated tasks, workers place it 12th by importance (#6 most important). About 96% of workers say it is relevant to their job.

This is a single occupation-specific task statement from O*NET. The figures below describe how central the task is to the job and what independent studies measure about AI and this kind of work — not a prediction that the task will be automated.

Work activities this task rolls up to

O*NET groups concrete tasks into broader work activities shared across many occupations.

• Test performance of computer or information systems. in Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

AI exposure

The OpenAI / Eloundou “GPTs are GPTs” study rates this task E1. Direct exposure — a language model could plausibly cut the time to do this task by at least half.

Exposure measures whether a model could meaningfully speed the task up — it is an estimate of overlap with model capabilities, not a measure of whether the work will be done by software. The study's intermediate score (β) for this task is 1.00. Automation potential label: T3.

Other tasks in this occupation

• Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic. · importance 4.4
• Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced. · importance 4.4
• Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements. · importance 4.4
• Write, update, and maintain computer programs or software packages to handle specific jobs such as tracking inventory, storing or retrieving data, or controlling other equipment. · importance 4.2
• Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes. · importance 4.0
• Prepare detailed workflow charts and diagrams that describe input, output, and logical operation, and convert them into a series of instructions coded in a computer language. · importance 3.6
• Compile and write documentation of program development and subsequent revisions, inserting comments in the coded instructions so others can understand the program. · importance 3.6
• Train subordinates in programming and program coding. · importance 3.5
• Consult with and assist computer operators or system analysts to define and resolve problems in running computer programs. · importance 3.5
• Perform systems analysis and programming tasks to maintain and control the use of computer systems software as a systems programmer. · importance 3.3
• Write or contribute to instructions or manuals to guide end users. · importance 3.3
• Investigate whether networks, workstations, the central processing unit of the system, or peripheral equipment are responding to a program's instructions. · importance 3.3
• Develop Web sites. · importance 3.2
• Assign, coordinate, and review work and activities of programming personnel. · importance 3.2

See all tasks on the Computer Programmers page.

Sources for this page

Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.

• O*NET 30.3 U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development
• “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130 OpenAI / academic

Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.

@misc{singulariki-task-1268,
  title  = {Conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure they will produce the desired information and that the instructions are correct.},
  author = {{Singulariki}},
  year   = {2026},
  note   = {O*NET 30.3; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130. Accessed June 7, 2026},
  url    = {https://singulariki.com/tasks/task-1268}
}