Post #7 – Tech Topic Connection [CLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

       The Tech Topic I selected was software engineering. This topic interest me because, I want to know everything about how a computer related device or system works. I started working with computers and the ancillary equipment used with them more than 40 years ago (see Figure 1) and I had no problem analyzing the hardware. For the most parts, the software inside was like a black box. You know what goes in and what come out, but you are not sure how it works or how to make changes to improve the performance of a device or system. Those bits and bytes that make up the code that run the hardware remained a mystery to me for all those years. I have done some coding at both the high and low levels, but the programming languages are changing. In the beginning there was Basic, PASCAL, Fortran, and “C,” or “C++,” or you use could use machine languages. The next step I need to take to understanding how information systems work is to enhance my skills by my learning the latest programming languages and getting a degree in Software Engineering.

Figure 1 – Ancillary Equipment for Computers

In my career, I was primarily a tester and a designer of the hardware, there was not enough time to be trained or updated on the latest trends in programing languages or commands used for operating systems. I was limited as to what I do to make computer related devices or systems perform better. High level languages like Visual Basic, SQL, JAVA, Linux, and Python are now used to program all types of electronic devices from outdoor lighting fixtures to our smart phones. These programming languages are the keys that opens the door that allows new ideas in programming to becoming a reality. One of my goals is to be proficient in creating or modifying the software used in these devices and systems.

More than ever, we are allowing computer access and control to devices we need to use every day. Things like our cars can be programmed with a wireless remote can that automatically lock and unlock your car doors as you leave your car or return to it. Smart software can correct and finish your sentence faster than you can think or type it. We use software application in database management to create, manage and analyze all types of statical data such as, population growth, the changes in weather temperatures, the production rate of manufactured items, and the list goes on. It is amazing what can be done when you know how to program smart devices or computers, you can save money on powering down these devices not in use or you connect with websites to buy items online when the specials are available. You can program test equipment to monitor and if necessary, shutdown crucial equipment if a fault occurs.

Using software engineering many of the world problems can be solved if we apply its principles correctly. First, we must understand that a software engineer has a highly regarded position with great powers and like a superhero in the movies, with great powers come great responsibility. Software engineers can have fate of hundreds, thousands, or millions of people and the equipment needed to maintain the quality of life in their hands. They program equipment that control things like our power grid, our banking system, and even the distribution of medicines that can save lives. Without software engineering, the architecture, management, and security of IT networks could not be maintained because there would be no documentation providing operating procedures, no troubleshooting guides, or repair manuals. With software engineering expertise, IT systems can be made work flawlessly or in the cause of a hacker or software engineer turned rouge, these techniques can be used to create great havoc on society.

“Students who want to focus on software engineering are expected to gain and integrate knowledge from various subject areas including computer programming, data structures, algorithms, numerical methods, statistics, design patterns, human-computer interaction, computer graphics, information visualization, database systems, web development, software project management, and software engineering.” .  What Is Software Engineering | Computer Science & Engineering | University of Nevada, Reno (unr.edu).

There are many disciplines in the Information Technology (IT) field but, none come chose to software engineering. It is the methodology that determines how and when IT applications will be used, it sets the tone for what the limits are and what the returns should be. It includes the actual coding for programs that perform special tasks (calculations), control devices or analyzes data. In addition, software engineering provides the documentation to support IT products (these documents include specifications, instructions, test reports, and any other information to help users understand the deliverable product). Software engineering is the most popular and most challenging career path for information systems development. It encompasses every area of IT and provides the rules, baselines, and procedures to solve all professional level IT software problems. It is like the gasoline that makes a car go. You can make the best car in the world but, without the fuel, it is useless. In this analogy, software engineering the is the fuel that makes the IT industry go.

 

 

 

References

University of Nevada, Reno, Computer Science and Engineering Department (2022). What is Software Engineering.  What Is Software Engineering | Computer Science & Engineering | University of Nevada, Reno (unr.edu)

Oshana, R. and Kraeling, M. (2019 2^nd Edition). Software Engineering- for-Embedded Systems. Software Engineering for Embedded Systems | ScienceDirect