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Wy should i become a software engineer?
What should be the basic knowledge i should acquire if I am to pursue a career in software engineering.
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6 answers
Updated
Adit’s Answer
Embrace the rewarding journey of becoming a software engineer, a profession teeming with demand, innovation, adaptability, and an attractive salary prospect. Here's your guide to get started:
Why Venture into Software Engineering?
Job Security with High Demand: With technology permeating every industry, the call for skilled engineers is stronger than ever.
Creative Problem-Solving & Innovation: Software engineering is a playground for innovative minds, where you can solve complex problems, pioneer new technologies, and contribute to groundbreaking projects.
Work Flexibility: The field offers abundant opportunities for remote work and adaptable work environments.
Promising Career Growth: As you gather experience, you can specialize or ascend into leadership roles, significantly boosting your earning potential.
Essential Skills to Kickstart Your Journey:
Master Programming Languages: Equip yourself with vital languages such as Python, Java, C++, and JavaScript.
Understand Data Structures & Algorithms: Grasp how data is organized and enhanced.
Learn Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): Familiarize yourself with fundamental principles such as encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism.
Get a Handle on Version Control: Learn to use tools like Git for efficient collaboration.
Armed with these foundational skills, you're all set to thrive as a software engineer!
Why Venture into Software Engineering?
Job Security with High Demand: With technology permeating every industry, the call for skilled engineers is stronger than ever.
Creative Problem-Solving & Innovation: Software engineering is a playground for innovative minds, where you can solve complex problems, pioneer new technologies, and contribute to groundbreaking projects.
Work Flexibility: The field offers abundant opportunities for remote work and adaptable work environments.
Promising Career Growth: As you gather experience, you can specialize or ascend into leadership roles, significantly boosting your earning potential.
Essential Skills to Kickstart Your Journey:
Master Programming Languages: Equip yourself with vital languages such as Python, Java, C++, and JavaScript.
Understand Data Structures & Algorithms: Grasp how data is organized and enhanced.
Learn Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): Familiarize yourself with fundamental principles such as encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism.
Get a Handle on Version Control: Learn to use tools like Git for efficient collaboration.
Armed with these foundational skills, you're all set to thrive as a software engineer!
Updated
Faisal’s Answer
Hi Charles , I hope you are doing well.
I think software engineering is a thrilling profession that requires a mix of professional know-how, creativity, and the ability to solve problems.
You should become a software engineer if you don't get dizzy when you solve problems, love creativity, designing, developing and maintaining software applications.
People worry that in this day and age of AI, why should we learn computer science and become software engineers when there are already a lot of tools that can do development for us?
If we think of my example. We have ChatGPT and other coding curated AIs, and anyone could learn to utilise AI tools like Copilot to construct an app, but most people still wouldn't be able to do it without first mastering the fundamentals of computer science.
If we want to work in the information technology or software development field, we must first acquire the fundamental curriculum of computer science or software engineering degrees.
I like biology as well even being in the software development or IT field, I've taken many courses on Bioinformatics, so I think for those who are interested in biology, there is a field related to computer science, software engineering and biology called bioinformatics that mixes computer science and biology to study and understand biological data like DNA patterns and protein structures. then you will enjoy both biology and computer science.
If you are interested in automation or mechanical, you want to design and manufacture physical robots using mechanical engineering methods.
Or If you enjoy electrical engineering, creating and controlling the electronic components of robots.
I believe with a BSCS degree, you can still become a bioinformatics expert, You can become a robotics engineer, which is the same as CS or SE disciplne.
I'm adding a pathway link for skills we need to become a Software Engineer. Please visit the link and you can comment if you have any further queries.
https://roadmap.sh/r/learning-software-engineering-77yc3
I think software engineering is a thrilling profession that requires a mix of professional know-how, creativity, and the ability to solve problems.
You should become a software engineer if you don't get dizzy when you solve problems, love creativity, designing, developing and maintaining software applications.
People worry that in this day and age of AI, why should we learn computer science and become software engineers when there are already a lot of tools that can do development for us?
If we think of my example. We have ChatGPT and other coding curated AIs, and anyone could learn to utilise AI tools like Copilot to construct an app, but most people still wouldn't be able to do it without first mastering the fundamentals of computer science.
If we want to work in the information technology or software development field, we must first acquire the fundamental curriculum of computer science or software engineering degrees.
I like biology as well even being in the software development or IT field, I've taken many courses on Bioinformatics, so I think for those who are interested in biology, there is a field related to computer science, software engineering and biology called bioinformatics that mixes computer science and biology to study and understand biological data like DNA patterns and protein structures. then you will enjoy both biology and computer science.
If you are interested in automation or mechanical, you want to design and manufacture physical robots using mechanical engineering methods.
Or If you enjoy electrical engineering, creating and controlling the electronic components of robots.
I believe with a BSCS degree, you can still become a bioinformatics expert, You can become a robotics engineer, which is the same as CS or SE disciplne.
I'm adding a pathway link for skills we need to become a Software Engineer. Please visit the link and you can comment if you have any further queries.
https://roadmap.sh/r/learning-software-engineering-77yc3
Updated
Jenna’s Answer
I find being a software engineer rewarding in several ways. I am never bored. I get to keep learning all of the time. Nearly all of my teammates are smart and interesting people. The pay compared to the amount of time worked is very high, and the job sector is more secure and offers more growth than almost any other. I chose an ed tech company that I think is helping to do something useful.
I think the underlying skills that you need are:
1.) Mental stamina - the ability to focus closely for very long periods of time without being exhausted
2.) Problem-solving - the ability to break a problem down and come up with things to try
3.) Self-learning - the ability to recognize what you want/need to learn, find resources, and learn new skills your entire life and career
4.) Collaboration - the ability to work with other people, come to agreements, and enjoy teamwork
5.) Communication - the ability to get other people to understand your ideas and to understand theirs
Everyone else's answers are very good. Maybe it would be helpful to also think about what you want to learn in a simple, practical way.
1.) Learn the basics of a modern coding language, so that you can complete the easiest challenges on Code Wars in that language.
2.) Learn version control with Git, so that you can organize the work that you do as you write code, build things, and take notes.
3.) Find your first teachers, mentors, and peers in software engineering, so you can have some direction, support, and encouragement.
4.) Build simple things that work, so that you can practice and learn a complete modern toolchain and stack.
5.) Build those simple things with best quality code that you can and eventually refactor some of your prior work, so you can come to write code of professional quality.
For teachers, I can recommend three of my own who have YouTube channels: Brad Traversy of Traversy Media, Mosh Hamedani of Code With Mosh, and Ben Eater. Brad and Mosh also have courses on their own websites and Udemy. The Udemy courses go on sale several times a year for less than $20 each, which is an incredible value.
For mentors, I can recommend using Merit at https://www.get-merit.com/ to meet people working in the field and ask them questions.
Best of luck!
I think the underlying skills that you need are:
1.) Mental stamina - the ability to focus closely for very long periods of time without being exhausted
2.) Problem-solving - the ability to break a problem down and come up with things to try
3.) Self-learning - the ability to recognize what you want/need to learn, find resources, and learn new skills your entire life and career
4.) Collaboration - the ability to work with other people, come to agreements, and enjoy teamwork
5.) Communication - the ability to get other people to understand your ideas and to understand theirs
Everyone else's answers are very good. Maybe it would be helpful to also think about what you want to learn in a simple, practical way.
1.) Learn the basics of a modern coding language, so that you can complete the easiest challenges on Code Wars in that language.
2.) Learn version control with Git, so that you can organize the work that you do as you write code, build things, and take notes.
3.) Find your first teachers, mentors, and peers in software engineering, so you can have some direction, support, and encouragement.
4.) Build simple things that work, so that you can practice and learn a complete modern toolchain and stack.
5.) Build those simple things with best quality code that you can and eventually refactor some of your prior work, so you can come to write code of professional quality.
For teachers, I can recommend three of my own who have YouTube channels: Brad Traversy of Traversy Media, Mosh Hamedani of Code With Mosh, and Ben Eater. Brad and Mosh also have courses on their own websites and Udemy. The Udemy courses go on sale several times a year for less than $20 each, which is an incredible value.
For mentors, I can recommend using Merit at https://www.get-merit.com/ to meet people working in the field and ask them questions.
Best of luck!
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Reasons to Become a Software Engineer:
High Demand and Job Security: The tech industry is growing rapidly, and software engineers are essential to this growth. This means strong job security and numerous opportunities34.
Good Salary: Software engineering is one of the highest-paying fields, with competitive salaries and benefits3.
Flexibility: Many software engineering jobs offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work remotely4.
Continuous Learning: The field is constantly evolving, providing endless opportunities to learn new technologies and improve your skills4.
Creativity and Problem-Solving: Software engineering allows you to solve complex problems and create innovative solutions, making it a fulfilling and intellectually stimulating career5.
Impact: Software engineers have the potential to make a significant impact on the world by developing technologies that improve lives and drive progress5.
Pursuing a career in software engineering is an exciting journey! Here are some fundamental areas you should focus on:
1. Programming Languages:
Python: Great for beginners and widely used in various fields.
JavaScript: Essential for web development.
Java: Commonly used in enterprise environments.
C++: Useful for system/software development.
2. Data Structures and Algorithms:
Understanding arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, and graphs.
Learning sorting and searching algorithms.
Grasping concepts like Big O notation for analyzing algorithm efficiency.
3. Computer Science Fundamentals
Operating Systems: Basics of how operating systems work.
Databases: SQL and NoSQL databases.
Networking: Understanding of basic networking concepts.
4. Software Development Tools
Version Control: Git and GitHub.
IDEs: Integrated Development Environments like Visual Studio Code, IntelliJ IDEA.
Build Tools: Maven, Gradle.
5. Web Development
HTML/CSS: Basics of web design.
Front-end Frameworks: React, Angular, or Vue.js.
Back-end Frameworks: Node.js, Django, or Spring.
6. Problem-Solving Skills
Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or CodeSignal.
7. Soft Skills
Communication: Ability to explain your ideas clearly.
Teamwork: Collaborating effectively with others.
Time Management: Managing your time efficiently to meet deadlines.
8. Continuous Learning
Technology evolves rapidly, so staying updated with the latest trends and continuously learning is crucial.
There are many good schools for this career. I suggest working with your school counselor to learn more.
High Demand and Job Security: The tech industry is growing rapidly, and software engineers are essential to this growth. This means strong job security and numerous opportunities34.
Good Salary: Software engineering is one of the highest-paying fields, with competitive salaries and benefits3.
Flexibility: Many software engineering jobs offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work remotely4.
Continuous Learning: The field is constantly evolving, providing endless opportunities to learn new technologies and improve your skills4.
Creativity and Problem-Solving: Software engineering allows you to solve complex problems and create innovative solutions, making it a fulfilling and intellectually stimulating career5.
Impact: Software engineers have the potential to make a significant impact on the world by developing technologies that improve lives and drive progress5.
Pursuing a career in software engineering is an exciting journey! Here are some fundamental areas you should focus on:
1. Programming Languages:
Python: Great for beginners and widely used in various fields.
JavaScript: Essential for web development.
Java: Commonly used in enterprise environments.
C++: Useful for system/software development.
2. Data Structures and Algorithms:
Understanding arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, and graphs.
Learning sorting and searching algorithms.
Grasping concepts like Big O notation for analyzing algorithm efficiency.
3. Computer Science Fundamentals
Operating Systems: Basics of how operating systems work.
Databases: SQL and NoSQL databases.
Networking: Understanding of basic networking concepts.
4. Software Development Tools
Version Control: Git and GitHub.
IDEs: Integrated Development Environments like Visual Studio Code, IntelliJ IDEA.
Build Tools: Maven, Gradle.
5. Web Development
HTML/CSS: Basics of web design.
Front-end Frameworks: React, Angular, or Vue.js.
Back-end Frameworks: Node.js, Django, or Spring.
6. Problem-Solving Skills
Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or CodeSignal.
7. Soft Skills
Communication: Ability to explain your ideas clearly.
Teamwork: Collaborating effectively with others.
Time Management: Managing your time efficiently to meet deadlines.
8. Continuous Learning
Technology evolves rapidly, so staying updated with the latest trends and continuously learning is crucial.
There are many good schools for this career. I suggest working with your school counselor to learn more.
Updated
Gabrielle’s Answer
Embarking on a career in software engineering can be an exciting journey, and having a strong grasp on the following areas can set you up for success:
Programming Languages: Deeply understanding one or two programming languages, such as Python, Java, JavaScript, or C++, can significantly enhance your coding logic, syntax, and problem-solving skills.
Data Structures & Algorithms: Familiarizing yourself with arrays, lists, stacks, queues, trees, graphs, sorting algorithms, and search algorithms is key to creating effective software.
Version Control: Utilizing tools like Git and GitHub is indispensable for managing code modifications and fostering collaboration with other team members.
Databases: Gaining knowledge about SQL for relational databases (like MySQL, PostgreSQL) and NoSQL databases (like MongoDB) is vital for handling and querying data.
Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC): Comprehending the stages of software development, from requirement collection to design, development, testing, and maintenance, is essential.
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): Grasping concepts like classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation is fundamental to crafting modular software.
Basic Web Development: Even if web development isn't your main focus, having a basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript can be advantageous.
Problem-Solving & Logical Thinking: Regularly practicing coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or CodeSignal can greatly improve your problem-solving abilities.
APIs and Web Services: Understanding how RESTful APIs function and how to incorporate them into software applications is crucial.
Software Testing: Learning how to write unit tests and use testing frameworks is key to ensuring your code's reliability.
Embarking on these areas will provide a robust foundation for you to build upon, enabling you to delve deeper into specific fields like backend development, frontend development, mobile app development, or DevOps. Remember, every step you take in learning these areas brings you closer to becoming a proficient software engineer. Keep going!
Programming Languages: Deeply understanding one or two programming languages, such as Python, Java, JavaScript, or C++, can significantly enhance your coding logic, syntax, and problem-solving skills.
Data Structures & Algorithms: Familiarizing yourself with arrays, lists, stacks, queues, trees, graphs, sorting algorithms, and search algorithms is key to creating effective software.
Version Control: Utilizing tools like Git and GitHub is indispensable for managing code modifications and fostering collaboration with other team members.
Databases: Gaining knowledge about SQL for relational databases (like MySQL, PostgreSQL) and NoSQL databases (like MongoDB) is vital for handling and querying data.
Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC): Comprehending the stages of software development, from requirement collection to design, development, testing, and maintenance, is essential.
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): Grasping concepts like classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation is fundamental to crafting modular software.
Basic Web Development: Even if web development isn't your main focus, having a basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript can be advantageous.
Problem-Solving & Logical Thinking: Regularly practicing coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or CodeSignal can greatly improve your problem-solving abilities.
APIs and Web Services: Understanding how RESTful APIs function and how to incorporate them into software applications is crucial.
Software Testing: Learning how to write unit tests and use testing frameworks is key to ensuring your code's reliability.
Embarking on these areas will provide a robust foundation for you to build upon, enabling you to delve deeper into specific fields like backend development, frontend development, mobile app development, or DevOps. Remember, every step you take in learning these areas brings you closer to becoming a proficient software engineer. Keep going!
Updated
Khrystyna’s Answer
Besides all the other amazing answers you already received, consider the following:
1. Software engineering skills provide a strong initial foundation, offering security and financial support. This stability allows you to explore other directions if you find a new passion. With a good, stable income at the start, you can more easily dedicate time to another business, opportunity, or career. It doesn't have to be a forever decision; it can be a great starting point.
2. The skillset you gain isn't limited to coding. You'll develop the ability to pick up any technology or skill in a matter of days. Over time, you'll also improve your communication, time management, and leadership skills. Being an engineer is about more than just building software; this path can lead you to excel in any career or business you choose.
It is my personal opinion based on having many friends who are software engineers. Most of them are exploring their lives outside of the engineering stack, and having a good financial foundation, a gained skillset and social network which allow them to do so.
1. Software engineering skills provide a strong initial foundation, offering security and financial support. This stability allows you to explore other directions if you find a new passion. With a good, stable income at the start, you can more easily dedicate time to another business, opportunity, or career. It doesn't have to be a forever decision; it can be a great starting point.
2. The skillset you gain isn't limited to coding. You'll develop the ability to pick up any technology or skill in a matter of days. Over time, you'll also improve your communication, time management, and leadership skills. Being an engineer is about more than just building software; this path can lead you to excel in any career or business you choose.
It is my personal opinion based on having many friends who are software engineers. Most of them are exploring their lives outside of the engineering stack, and having a good financial foundation, a gained skillset and social network which allow them to do so.