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.
Because of complexity and the way it (project) is too long each team member is assigned a task, making code for each programmer not to be too long. Both unit and module testing are accomplished here by software developers. The computer language like C++, Java, Pascal, COBOL and other programming languages is used for coding. On receiving system design documents, the work is divided in modules and actual coding is started. Since, in this phase the code is produced so it is the main focus for the developer. This is the longest phase of the software development life
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
Before the iPhone became popular, because of the powerful and user-friendly software that is on the iPhone, Steve Jobs declared that “[The] iPhone is a revolutionary and magical product that is literally five years ahead of any other mobile phone” (Steve Jobs). Part of the reason why the iPhone is so revolutionary is because of the software in it. The hardware on the iPhone was slightly more advanced compared to the hardware on other phones but the software on the iPhone was many generations ahead of other smartphones that existed at that time. The software on the iPhone comes from the many software engineers who work at Apple. These software engineers have to endure many struggles in the creation of their software, but the rewards from making a software make the struggle less painful. The job of a software engineer is to work together with other engineers to create a software (or should be product) that the company’s customers will buy. This career is necessary because software created by software engineers makes the lives of other people easier and provides people with high growth jobs. Although software engineering involves long hours and great pressure, it gives people the opportunity to solve problems and make products that others will appreciate and use.
In terms of teaching, our undergraduate and graduate curriculum provides a timely and well-rounded view of the field, with special emphasis on the practical aspects of building useful software. Our strengths lie in the traditional mainstream of areas of computer science: algorithms, programming languages, operating systems, distributed computing, networks, databases and theory of computing. We also offer courses in some subfields: graphics, artificial intelligence and the software aspects of computer architecture. The department's programs prepare students for positions in the design and development of computer systems and applications, in business and industry, and for scientific positions in industrial or academic computing research.
Computer hardware engineers research, develop, and test computer systems and components such as processors, circuit boards, memory devices, and many more (Bureau of Labor Statistics). They design new computer hardware, create blueprints of computer equipment to be built. Test the completed models of the computer hardware that they design. Update existing equipment so that it will work will new software. Oversee the manufacturing process for the computer hardware. Maintain knowledge of computer engineering trends and new technology(Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg. These three men all have one thing in common, they became very wealthy from investing in the future of computers. A person may decide to go to college and make a career out of working with computers because of the potential earnings and consistent need of individuals who have studied computer sciences. This paper is going to inform you on what an individual does with a Computer Science degree, education needed to work in this field, and why we need people to do this kind of work.
My interest in Software Engineering, as a practical approach to develop software, arose while studying it in my fourth semester. I became aware of the different software development methodologies and the various stages in developing a software. This interest blossomed further through studying software project management & software testing. I came to understand the need of the various managemen...
Software Engineers create software for computer systems, so they can run smoothly and properly. These engineers also test and evaluate software for each type of computer platform. They create software for computer operating systems such as, Windows and Mac. Types of software incl...
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.
May involve application of Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools in one or more activities
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.
Software development should be based on “the types of theories and practicals that are traditional in the established branches of engineering.” Yet after forty years of currency the phrase ‘software engineering’ still denotes
After reading the paper, “Software Engineering Programs Are Not Computer Science Programs”, it becomes apparent that the distinction between Software Engineering and Computer Science is not as clear-cut to outside observers. Society often blends the two subjects together, nothing that both programs are concerned only with computer science and programming language development. One way to understand the differences is to examine the words, primarily “Engineer” and “Scientist” when dealing with these two subjects. As the paper notes, Engineers are by nature, taught to apply both science and mathematics when designing products. Scientists, on the other hand, are solely taught the science and the methods needed to advance it. Overall, Software Engineers
... 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.