Computer Engineering - A Carrer as a Computer Software Engineer
Introduction
The explosive impact of computers and information technology on our everyday lives has generated a need to design and develop new computer software systems and to incorporate new technologies in a rapidly growing range of applications. The tasks performed by workers known as computer software engineers evolve quickly, reflecting new areas of specialization or changes in technology, as well as the preferences and practices of employers. Computer software engineers apply the principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis to the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the software and systems that enable computers to perform their many applications. (1)
Background
Software engineers working in applications or systems development analyze users¡¦ needs and design, construct, test, and maintain computer applications software or systems. Software engineers can be involved in the design and development of many types of software, including software for operating systems and network distribution, and compilers, which convert programs for execution on a computer. In programming, or coding, software engineers instruct a computer, line by line, how to perform a function. They also solve technical problems that arise. Software engineers must possess strong programming skills, but are more concerned with developing algorithms and analyzing and solving programming problems than with actually writing code. (2)
Computer applications software engineers analyze users¡¦ needs and design, construct, and maintain general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. These workers use different programming languages, depending on the purpose of the program. The programming languages most often used are C, C++, and Java, with Fortran and COBOL used less commonly. Some software engineers develop both packaged systems and systems software or create customized applications. (4)
Computer systems software engineers coordinate the construction and maintenance of a company¡¦s computer systems and plan their future growth. Working with a company, they coordinate each department¡¦s computer needs¡Xordering, inventory, billing, and payroll record keeping, for example¡Xand make suggestions about its technical direction. They also might set up the company¡¦s intranets¡Xnetworks that link computers within the organization and ease communication among the various departments. (3)
Systems software engineers work for companies that configure, implement, and install complete computer systems. They may be members of the marketing or sales staff, serving as the primary technical resource for sales workers and customers. They also may be involved in product sales and in providing their customers with continuing technical support.
Computer software engineers often work as part of a team that designs new hardware, software, and systems.
Software design and development is a field that requires various skills and abilities. Companies engaged in the development of software should provide an inclusive work environment where the different strengths of their employees are recognised, utilised and respected. Software development involves far more than programming skills. Personnel are required with strong communication, teamwork, attention to detail, creativity, design and problem-solving skills. Different personnel will possess these skills in varying proportions. It is the job of management to foster and encourage the development and enhancement of skills in the workplace.
In programming, computer engineers instruct computers how, to do their jobs or desired functions line by line. There are many forms of computer software engineers. There are computer applications software engineers who analyse user needs and designs and then build, maintain, or perfect specialized utility systems or applications already within the system. Computer applications engineers have a multitude of computer programming languages they have to use on a daily basis. Generally the favorite languages used are C, C++, and Java. The less popular languages that are used are Fortran and COBOL. Software engineers may also also develop packaged systems, systems software, or even create personalized applications. Computer systems software engineers are responsible for designing the maintenance and construction of a company's computer systems, while also planning the systems future growth. Computer systems software engineers analyse the needs of each specific department while working with a company and advise the company on which technical direction to follow. Computer systems software engineers often help set up the technical systems of the company within the departments. The computer systems software engineers will also sometimes set up the companies intranets systems. Specifically the ones that link the company's computer systems with the organization and make communications between departments run faster and smoother. Computer
Information and Software Technology Years 7–10: Syllabus. (2003, June). Retrieved April 10, 2014, from http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_sc/pdf_doc/info_soft_tech_710_syl.pdf
While developing a software many complex activities are required which in turn have dependencies along them. Large software projects require the involvement of programmers, documentation specialists, program managers, architects, database analysts, system analysts, , and trainers and last but not the least testers. Along with their independent responsibilities these persons are also responsible to maintain and keep a check on the software system quality as well.
Software engineers are similar to scientists who enhance their experimentation and aim for perfection. The main role of a software engineer is to produce new applications for the company or construct new operating systems. “Many companies highly demand software engineer and the employment of software engineers has increased about 22% from 2012 to 2020.” (Bureau of Labor Statistics) The employment rate of this career is rising much faster than other occupations....
A computer support specialist has many responsibilities. A daily responsibility that is done every day is that they watch computer systems to monitors its performance. Computer support specialist help people set up their computers and show them how to work them. On a daily basis they are always answering questions to resolve problems such as issues relate to hardware and software. Also they must be able to test network systems and check for issues with local area networks. They maintain daily records of their communications. Also they train users on how to use their hardware and software. Computer support specialists stay busy with all their tasks. Also it is important to back up data in case the computer crashes or something happens.
A computer engineer has certain duties and responsibilities depending on the location and size of the firm he or she works for. Also the duties vary between job levels. If you work at a small firm, you will be set up on the firing line immediately and will be expected to make your boss money or you’ll be fired. Also in a smaller firm you’ll probably spend hours of pain-staking time trying to solve a problem that other engineers probably went over before.
A computer software programmer’s job is to basically write and test code that runs computers and other devices. They write codes that allow computer applications to run, test those codes, and update the code to keep up with advances in technology
Computer engineers build and design computers and computer-related media (OCIS). A constantly changing career, computer engineering is offering more jobs now than ever before. Webmaster, HTML programmer, JAVA programmer, Online Content Developer. Five years ago such job titles didn't exist, but then neither did the work thousands of people are engaged in today. Once upon a time, computer programmers and electrical engineers were the only computer-related jobs. Now more jobs such as marketing, sales, product development, human resources and finance have joined the list of technological jobs.
Many programs we often use everyday like Microsoft Word, Excel Spreadsheet, and Microsoft Presentation were created by computer programmers and have become a global phenomenon. According to Windows Central “There are now 1.2 billion office users and 60 million office 365 users” as of march 2016 (3). Every year the succession of Computer Programs continue to increase in stature as well as benefit much of the novice computer users. Computer Programmers should typically have the ability to work with others, have strong verbal skills, and keep organized in order to get jobs done efficiently and effectively (4). Also Computer programmers should, depending on the job have prior coding experience to apply what they know to job related
The field of Computer Science is based primarily on computer programing. Programming is the writing of computer programs using letters and numbers to make "code". The average computer programer will write at least a million lines of code in his or her lifetime. But even more important than writting code, a good programer must be able to solve problems and think logicaly.
... things that software engineers need to learn, if you do not learn these things you will be at a disadvantage and be limited to what you are capable of. The rapid growth will open new jobs for the upcoming generations of software engineering. Software engineering is a hard but rewarding career, but in the end it helps others accomplish things that would not be possible 50 years ago.
Probably the most common thought of career position within the information technology arena that garners the most OS-centric job description specifics is that of the system administrator or network administrator. A system administrator is a person employed to maintain and operate a computer system or network for a company or other organization. The duties of a system administrator are wide-ranging, and vary widely from one organization to another. Sysadmins are usually charged with installing, supporting, and maintaining servers or other computer systems, and planning for and responding to service outages and other problems. Other duties may include scripting or light programming, project management for systems-related projects, supervising or training computer operators, and being the equivalent of a handyman for computer problems beyond the knowledge of technical support staff.
When working on software with a certain group of people, the programmer will tend to talk more on what they for the program. The programmer gets a list of things needed for the software. They test the software and then release to the group. This usually happens when the programmer work independently or a small business. In bigger corporations this will not be as likely.
Software engineering is important in today’s society because we use the products of software engineering almost daily. We use the products of software engineering in objects as simple as our car keys to objects as complicated as supercomputers. The past, present, and future of software engineering is quite interesting. This paper will provide information about this field of study and why software engineering is going to be around a while.