Learning Software Engineering: The Best Way to Get Started
Software Engineering For Dummies
Software engineers help develop code that assists with problem-solving. Their work requires a strong grasp of technical knowledge and the ability to think creatively.
There are many ways to learn software engineering, including college degree programs, bootcamps, online learning platforms and self-directed study.
What is the best way for a beginner to start learning software engineering?
Basics
If you want to become a software engineer but don’t have the time or money to commit to four years of college-level computer science (CS) classes, there are many online and in-person options to learn the necessary skills. Choose a training platform that offers a range of software engineering courses, tutorials, and one-off workshops, or enroll in a bootcamp-style program aimed at helping you become a full stack developer with back end (server side) and front end programming skills.
Before you start, it’s worth brushing up on your math skills, learning how to think algorithmically and understanding the basics of programming languages, like JavaScript and HTML/CSS. Also, pick up a technical side gig to help you build your programming portfolio and earn some money while you learn.
Requirements
Software engineers must be able to analyze the goals and requirements for their work. This includes knowing how to break down complex problems into smaller components and develop strategies for solving them. They also need a strong understanding of computer science fundamentals, such as algorithms and data structures.
In addition, software engineering requires a good understanding of different programming languages. This includes learning important concepts like loops (repeating behaviors until conditions are met) and conditionals (if A, then B).
Finally, software engineers need to be able to work well with a team. They need to understand how their work impacts other members of the project and be able to communicate with them effectively. They also need to be able to make quick changes to their software.
Design
The design step of software engineering involves creating a detailed plan for the software application or system. This includes identifying the software components, defining the architecture and developing a framework for its implementation. It also involves creating databases and user interfaces. Software engineers typically create these using programming languages such as Java, Python or C++. They may also develop other tools and technologies that help them write code efficiently, manage changes to code over time and test their software.
If you’re interested in learning more about software engineering, a good place to start is this fun and informative 10-episode narrative series from TEDEd, TED’s youth and education initiative. It introduces key concepts such as loops (repeating behaviors until certain conditions are met) and conditionals (if-then statements). Then, you can start exploring other programming resources to learn more about specific coding languages and their uses.
Development
Software engineering is the process of creating software for applications and systems that are used by businesses. This includes everything from online shopping websites to human resource management systems. The development process also involves ensuring that the software is secure and will work as designed.
The first step in the software engineering process is designing the software application or system. This step involves identifying the software components and creating a blueprint for how the software will be built. This is often done using programming languages like Java or Python.
For dummies who want to get into software engineering, Udemy offers courses that can teach you the basics of programming languages and help you build your skills. You can choose from time-bound or self-paced options, depending on your learning style and the level of accountability you need.
Testing
Software engineers create systems that are used in all kinds of industries, including retail (online shopping sites), financial institutions (data analysis and security), health care, human resources, transportation, energy and space exploration. They also help with the development and testing of new software applications.
Software engineering requires a lot of attention to detail, as small errors can be fatal. Empathy is a useful skill for this career, as software engineers often collaborate with other teams to write code and need to be able to understand why their colleagues did things the way they did.
Interested in learning more about what it takes to be a software engineer? Take our standardized software engineering test. It only takes 15 minutes to complete, and your results are completely confidential.