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What does it take to be a software engineer?
#computer-science What knowledge do you need in order to purse this career?
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Moushumi’s Answer
Hey! The knowledge you need in order to purse a career in Software Engineering would depend on what you want to specialise on.
There are heaps of different options you can choose to do. Do you want to be a developer? Do Quality Assurance? Automation Engineer? Database administrator? Are you interested in cyber security? Does web development interest you? Do you want to be a mobile app developer? Game developer? Are you interested in UI/UX (user experience) and design?
Basic things a software engineer will need know would be the following subjects:
1. Data Structure and Algorithms (Very important to be come a good developer)
2. Database management (Database administrator roles as well as dev or QA roles.)
3. Operating Systems
4. Computer Network. (Quite important if you are interested in cyber security)
Would be good to know at least one programming language. This language could be either backend (Java, Python, C++, Go, Ruby and so on) or a frontend language (like Javascript or Typescript). To become a good game engineer, knowing C or C++ helps.
If you want to be a full stack web-developer, it is good to know at least one backend and one frontend language. For frontend it is good to know Javascript, HTML and CSS. Knowledge of at least one of the most commonly used frameworks, i.e., either Angular or ReactJs will give you an edge over other candidates.
I found this article quite interesting. This will give you a better idea on cyber security : https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/computer-careers/cyber-security/
I found this article on the skills you need to become a good QA: https://medium.com/@fesja/10-skills-you-must-have-to-be-a-great-qa-40ee58232599
Skills you need to become a good UX designer: https://brainstation.io/career-guides/what-skills-do-you-need-to-be-a-ux-designer
There are heaps of different options you can choose to do. Do you want to be a developer? Do Quality Assurance? Automation Engineer? Database administrator? Are you interested in cyber security? Does web development interest you? Do you want to be a mobile app developer? Game developer? Are you interested in UI/UX (user experience) and design?
Basic things a software engineer will need know would be the following subjects:
1. Data Structure and Algorithms (Very important to be come a good developer)
2. Database management (Database administrator roles as well as dev or QA roles.)
3. Operating Systems
4. Computer Network. (Quite important if you are interested in cyber security)
Would be good to know at least one programming language. This language could be either backend (Java, Python, C++, Go, Ruby and so on) or a frontend language (like Javascript or Typescript). To become a good game engineer, knowing C or C++ helps.
Moushumi recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. I am delighted that you would like to be a software engineering.
Firstly, you would need to take the relevant courses in the college. Computer Science is the most relevant course to software engineering. In some colleges, it may have different names of the course but the context would be similar.
In the college, you will learn the fundamentals of computer science and different programming languages. However, there are different specialise of software engineer, e.g. web, apps, ERP, mainframe, etc. This would require skills on different programming languages and platform. You can explore more on what you are interested on. On the other hand, as long as you learnt the fundamental in the college, it is not difficult to pick up the new ones. Everyday has something new emerges in technology world.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Firstly, you would need to take the relevant courses in the college. Computer Science is the most relevant course to software engineering. In some colleges, it may have different names of the course but the context would be similar.
In the college, you will learn the fundamentals of computer science and different programming languages. However, there are different specialise of software engineer, e.g. web, apps, ERP, mainframe, etc. This would require skills on different programming languages and platform. You can explore more on what you are interested on. On the other hand, as long as you learnt the fundamental in the college, it is not difficult to pick up the new ones. Everyday has something new emerges in technology world.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
As the title entails, a Software Engineer requires knowledge of engineering principles. Hence getting a good engineering education is paramount (i.e. Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, etc). Too many software engineers can write code but are unable to effectively solve a problem. A 4 year degree in any engineering field will teach you how to solve problems.
Enjoying writing code is also important pick any languages such as Python, Java, C# and practice.
Enjoying writing code is also important pick any languages such as Python, Java, C# and practice.
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Computer science is a pretty broad field as others have mentioned, as you can specialize in a ton of different ideas. In general here is what you need to succeed:
1 - Have an interest in coding (this is fundamental and super important - if you don't like or enjoy doing it, you don't want to pursue a career in software engineering)
2 - Assuming you do have an interest, take the basic programming courses like C, Python, JS, HTML to get a set of core fundamentals. It's a big plus to get a broad skillset before you begin focusing on an area like mobile app development, infrastructure (think AWS, cloud, etc.), or graphic design
3 - Brush up on math courses - many computer programming concepts are based on mathematical fundamentals. Think "AI" as the algorithms are often based on mathematical equations
Good luck and hope this helps.
1 - Have an interest in coding (this is fundamental and super important - if you don't like or enjoy doing it, you don't want to pursue a career in software engineering)
2 - Assuming you do have an interest, take the basic programming courses like C, Python, JS, HTML to get a set of core fundamentals. It's a big plus to get a broad skillset before you begin focusing on an area like mobile app development, infrastructure (think AWS, cloud, etc.), or graphic design
3 - Brush up on math courses - many computer programming concepts are based on mathematical fundamentals. Think "AI" as the algorithms are often based on mathematical equations
Good luck and hope this helps.