6 replies to this topic

[WolfShield]

Hello everyone,
I am in High School and am interested in becoming a Computer Software Engineer. I have some questions about it that I hope some of you can answer for me.

The Job:

What is done as a Computer Software Engineer? I know you learn about software and hardware, do you ever work with the hardware directly? (I'm interested in hardware programming as well). Is it more algorithms and design, not programming? How much actual programming is done on an average day?

The Schooling:

How many years of schooling is considered good? 4, 6, even 8? Why that number? Since it is an engineering discipline you have to know about physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Particularly Calculus. Do I need to have Calculus knowledge before enrolling in College for CSE? Will it decrees the amount of time spent in school if I do?

Any other advice on the subject will be much appreciated!

Thanks everyone for your time and knowledge,

- WolfShield

[WingedPanther]

Every schools has different course requirements for similar programs, but Computer Software Engineering is very likely to require several courses in Calculus, along with a few others.

The job will also vary. It can be anything from programming with a focus on design to almost pure theory. Ultimately, you have to look at the course descriptions of the college you're looking at, along with the course requirements.

4 years is generally good, based on requirements for various job postings I've seen. What that will be four years from now could be completely different, however.

[lethalwire]

What is software engineering:
Software engineering - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In short, software engineers use tools, rules, methods, etc. to help aid in the design of good, reliable and useful software.
In your classes you'll most likely learn about the methods and approaches to solving complex software building problems.

1 quick example:
Software development process - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A team of software engineers usually set up the models/diagrams to help aid the programmers in writing the software.

Quote

How many years of schooling is considered good? 4, 6, even 8?

4 is about average, but it depends on how fast you can get your degree. Even with 4 years of school most jobs require actual work experience.

[WolfShield]

Okay,
Thanks for your replies.

Another question I have: what I would really like is to go from an idea to working out the problems making it, to seeing it being distributed and used, especially in the mobile development area. What kind of specialty or career choice in technology would have these kind of events?

Again, thanks,

- WolfShield

[fayyazlodhi]

To go from an idea to end product usually happens in software development.

The only issue that usually it is some one else's idea that has been developed over the years and you maintain old code as well as add new one as a software engineer.

You mentioned you are more interested in working close to hard ware. That means Computer engineering or embedded software development might be a close choice.

There are all kinds of software development web applications, games, health care, enterprise software, then system / embedded software.

Usually programming languages closer to hardware are required and mastered such as c/c++ assembly or even verilog / VHDL etc that are used to design hardware using software models.

System software includes writing Operating systems or substitute of OS (things called RTOS, bare boot loaders etc) for often small devices that have all aspects of a pc but are designed to do a specialized tasks e.g. cell phone, microwave oven etc. All of this is embedded.

So even after getting into Computers and software development, there are many sub domains. Embedded is only one of them.

You should be able to choose these only when you take relevant courses in a good 4 year degree and know what type of engineer you really enjoy to be. May be a mobile application developer writing facebook / symbian / android / Iphone apps or may be something completely different.


EDIT: i forgot the Idea to end part:
If you really have an idea, and you want to design it from concept to being distributed to the world well usually that does and should end into creating a start up of your own. But even to do that one has to be technically capable and experienced of what you are hoping to achieve.

Edited by fayyazlodhi, 20 July 2011 - 12:13 PM.
Start up

[WolfShield]

Fayyazlodhi,
Your reply was most helpful! Thank you very much for your ideas, information, and knowledge!

- WolfShield

[fayyazlodhi]

You are most welcome WolfSheid any time.

If from the experience of my career so far, i am able to guide some one to see a better picture before they make a choice. The writing is all worth every single word. All the best.