What Is Software Engineering And It’s Importance In Our Daily life?
What is Software Engineering
Software engineering is the process of analyzing user needs and then designing, constructing, and testing end user applications that will satisfy these needs through the use of software programming languages.
It is the application of engineering principles to software development. In contrast to simple programming, software engineering is used for larger and more complex software systems, which are used as critical systems for businesses and organizations.
Typical formal definitions of software engineering are: “the application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software. Software engineering is relatively a new area of engineering though, but the scope of software engineering is extremely broad. Being one of the prominent branches of the field of Engineering, it’s growing among the fastest fields in the world today.
The Idea to stress the importance of software in our everyday life will be rather pointless in this century as almost everything we use today has some kind of software application running it. From mobile phones to televisions, even the laptop used to type this paper has software installed in it. Software can be defined as programs, or suite of programs that are used to direct the operations of a computer, or other hardware (Corsello. K. R. 1991). Mobile phones, pcs and other electronic devices will just be another metal device without any interactivity with the user if there was no software running in them.
It must be noted that the term software development can be used for every type of software development whether it’s as simple as visual basic for applications Modules for Microsoft Word, Excel or Access or developing large, expensive and complicated applications for businesses or creating software for gaming entertainment.
Software engineers are the computer programming professionals. It’s worth mentioning that a software engineer is also a programmer, as he writes codes, but a programmer may not be called a software engineer, because in the former case, one needs to have a formal education.
Besides, a software engineer is the one who follows a systematic process that leads to understanding the requirements, working with teams and various professionals in order to create the application software or components or modules that fulfill the specific needs of the users successfully; whereas a computer programmer can work independently, as he understands algorithms and knows how to create codes following the specifications given by the software engineers.
It’s Use in Our Daily Life
However, software engineering is a vast field. It is not just limited to computer programming, but it’s much more than computer programming. It covers a wide range of professions from business to graphic designs or video game development.
Not just in a specific field, but every field of work, specific software is needed. Since the software is developed and embedded in the machines in order that it could meet with all intents and purposes of the users belonging to various professions, software engineering is of great application and assistance.
Not only the field of software engineering involves using some common computer languages, such as, C, C++, Java, python and Visual Basic in an appropriate manner that the intended results may be attained, but it also leads to apply the concepts in such a way that the development of the software may be made effectively and efficiently.
Software engineers or developers are the creative minds behind computers or programs. Some develop the application software for clients and companies analyzing the needs of the users. Some develop the system software used to run the devices and to control the networks.
Whatever be the nature of work, software engineering is one of highest-paid fields in this modern day and age. It’s an up-and-coming field, as it’s believed that it’s likely to grow much faster than the average compared to other professions.
If you have strong problem solving skills, an eye for details and good understanding at mathematical functions, then you may consider this lucrative field of study that could give you various benefits including higher level of job satisfaction recompensing your creative efforts.
Big Factors in Software Engineering
Success Factors in software engineering include the following:
Flexibility and Extensibility
Flexibility is the ability of software to add/modify/remove functionality without damaging the current system. Extensibility is the ability of software to add functionality without damaging system, so it may be thought of as a subset of flexibility. Those functionality changes may occur according to changing requirements, or an obligation if the development process is one of the iterative methods. Change is inevitable in software development and so, this is one of the most important properties of quality software
Maintainability and Readability
Maintainability is a little similar with flexibility but it focuses on modifications about error corrections and minor function modifications, not major functional extensibilities. It can be supported with useful interface definitions, documentation, and self-documenting code and/or code documentation. The more correct and useful documentation exists, the more maintainability can be performed.
Performance and Efficiency
Performance is mostly about the response time of the software. This response time should be in acceptable intervals (e.g. max. a few seconds), and should not increase if transaction count increases. And also, resources are expensive. Efficiency must be supported with resource utilization. As an exaggerated example, the ability to perform a simple function only by using a 32 processor machine or 1 TB disk space is not acceptable. Optimal source/performance ratio must be aimed.
A scalable system responds user actions in an acceptable amount of time, even if load increases. Of course more hardware may be added for handling increasing user transaction, but the architecture should not change while doing this. This is called vertical scalability. Ability of running on multiple, increasing count of machines is multiple processing. If the software can perform that type of processing, this is called horizontal scalability. A preffered scalable system should suit both of these methods.
Availability, Robustness, Fault Tolerance and Reliability:
A robust software should not lose its availabilty even in most failure states. Even if some components are broken down, it may continue running. Besides, even if whole application crashes, it may recover itself using backup hardware and data with fault tolerance approaches. There should always be B and even C, D .. plans. Reliability also stands for the integrity and consistency of the software even under high load conditions. So it is relevant with availability and scalability. An unreliable system is also unscalable.
Usability and Accessability
User interfaces are the only visible parts of software according to the viewpoint of user. So, simplicity, taking less time to complete a job, fast learnability etc. are very important in this case. The most well known principle for this property is KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). Simple is always the best. A usable software should also support different accessibility types of control for people with disabilities.
Platform Compatibility and Portability
A quality software should run on as much various platforms as it can. So, more people can make use of it. In different contexts we may mention different platforms, this may be OS platforms, browser types etc. And portability is about adapting software that can run on different platforms, for being more platform compatible. In this sense, portability is also related with flexibility
Testability and Manageability
Quality software requires quality testing. Source code should be tested with the most coverage and with the most efficient testing methods. This can be performed by using encapsulation, interfaces, patterns, low coupling etc. techniques correctly. Besides testability, a qualified software should be manageable after deployment. It may be monitored for e.g. performance or data usage status, or may enable developer to configure system easily. Creating a successful logging system is another very important issue about managability.
Security is a very important issue on software development, especially for web or mobile based ones which may have millions of users with the ability of remote accessing to system. You should construct a security policy and apply it correctly by leaving no entry points. This may include authorization and authentication techniques, network attack protections, data encryption and so on. all possible types of security leaks should be considered, otherwise one day only one attack may crash your whole application and whole company.
Functionality and Correctness
Functionality (or correctness) is the conformity of the software with actual requirements and specifications. In fact this is the precendition attribute of an application, and maybe not a quality factor but we wanted to point that as the last quality factor, for taking attention: Quality factors are not meaningful when we are talking about unfunctional software. First, perform desired functionality and produce correct software, then apply quality factors on it. If you can perform both paralelly, it is the best.
What is the Difference Between Software Engineering and Software Development
Those two titles—software developers and software engineers—are oftentimes used interchangeably, especially for those outsizde the world of tech. While it is true that they are very similar and do work closely together, you’ll find that the day-to-day responsibilities of each of them differ just ever-so-slightly (you may even find a job posting for an even more confusing software development engineer position).
So, then, what exactly are the differences? Fortune has you covered.
What is a software developer?
As the name implies, a software developer develops software, which involves coding and programming to help build specific features and components. Software developers are very focused on the execution and are very heads-down into their latest project.
“Software developers are very focused on execution,” explains Shadi Rostami, executive VP of engineering at Amplitude. “They’re given a spec, and they go build software that meets it. In that context, their day-to-day is spent primarily building and coding.”
They could be working in the development of web, app, fullstack, video games, and other programs.
What is a software engineer?
A software engineer is a strategic builder, as noted by Rostami. While also working with coding and development, engineers focus much more on the big picture strategy of projects.
“Software engineers not only do software development, but they also use engineering principles to go through the entire lifecycle of software. So not only development, but maintaining it, testing it, making sure it works with the rest of the company, is this more comprehensive,” says Vipin Chaudhary, chair of the computer and data sciences department at Case Western Reserve University.
The profession resultantly leans heavily on soft skills like problem solving, communication, and leadership.
“They’re focused on understanding their customers and end-users so they can identify what problem needs solving and how to best solve it,” says Rostami—adding that the role also emphasizes principles like scalability, maintainability, reliability, and robustness.
Software engineers also can be found across a variety of settings, including web, apps, data, full stack, video games, cybersecurity, cloud, and beyond.
How do software engineers and software developers compare?
One way to think of the main difference between software engineers and developers is the scope of their work. Software engineers tend to focus more on the larger picture of a project—working more closely with the infrastructure, security, and quality. Software developers, on the other hand, are more laser-focused on a specific coding task.
In other words, software developers focus on ensuring software functionality whereas engineers ensure the software aligns with customer requirements, says Rostami.
“One way to think about it: If you double your software developer team, you’ll double your code. But if you double your software engineering team, you’ll double the customer impact,” she tells Fortune.
But it is also important to note that because of how often each title is used interchangeably, the exact differences between a software engineer and software developer role may differ slightly from company to company.
Engineers may also have a greater grasp of the broader computer system ecosystems as well as have greater soft skills.
Software developer | Software engineer | |
Day-to-day responsibilities | Coding and programming; focused on specific tasks | Some coding and programming; focused on the larger infrastructure, security, goals |
Soft skills | Communication, teamwork, attention to detail, time management | Communication, team-building, problem-solving, leadership, organization |
Educational focus | Computer science | Computer science, engineering |
Applications of Software Engineering
Besides the obvious of it being a complex piece of computer software, School Management Software is an administration tool for educational institutions. This classification comes from the fact that this type (or category) of software aims to help educational organizations in their daily routine, by automating administrative tasks. “School management software” is also known as a “School management system” or a “Student information system”. These systems provide functionality from applications and class enrollment to detailed performance monitoring and financials.
Administration management typically includes both faculty and students. Some systems include a feature set to help manage daily operations, such as building maintenance, supplies and inventories. The need for this feature set is largely dependent on the size of an educational institution.
Hotel Management System allows hotel operators and owners to streamline their administrative tasks while also increasing their bookings in both the short- and long-term.
Supermarket POS Software allows you to manage multiple stores from a central location and have access to real-time inventory information.
MAIN PURPOSES OF PETROL STATION POS SOFTWARE ARE:
• make petrol station work efficiently and bring maximum profit to its owner
• reduce the cost of management over the petrol station
• make the owner of petrol station concretely master all operations and transactions by remote monitoring of petrol station activity and sales
• make activity of cashiers and fuel attendants transparent in order to avoid stealing and frauds by personnel of petrol station
• make reporting over petrol station operation easy and convenient
• provide multiple payment methods and attract more customers with discount-bonus loyalty programs
• provide control over fuel dispensers and ATG systems of various brands and models
Mental Health Software
Ever thought of online therapy? Getting a therapist is now easier than ever before with software engineering applications. It easily takes your desired request for a therapist and searches the database that meets your requirement.
Tailoring Business Software
Your Tailoring Business In Your Hands. Managed effectively from the palm of your hands. Manage Your Orders, Customers, Measurements ETC All In One Place. Tailoring Software provides a range of features that help tailors and fashion designers to digitize their profession.
Software engineering continues to prove very essential to our daily lives. There are so many distinct features that make a good software engineer. There are various success factors that guarantee a successful software development project. Also, if you are in need of a software engineer or development project, you can contact us for a quote FORTRAN HOUSE, our software services are second to none based on our wealth of knowledge and experience on software development, et al, this makes us stand out from the competition.