What type of coding should I know and level of math to be a sofftware engineer?
I know how to code but I mostly know HTML so I am not sure what types of coding must I know well. I am also not that great at math but I want to know to what level of math is required. I will be graduating in June so I want to have an idea of what I want to do. #engineering #software #math #coding
4 answers
Ollie’s Answer
It's great to hear you're interested in software engineering!
About math: you'll need to be decent at algebra, and you'll need to master the material in what they called "pre-calculus" back in the day. Learning the mechanics of multiplying one matrix by another will serve you well in your work, for example. May I suggest you go after math not thinking "I'm not that great" but instead "I know I can figure this out"?
Coding. I got news for you: HTML isn't really code. You can't use it to specify procedures, and that's what code is all about. HTML + CSS starts to be code-like. Add Javascript and you're definitely in the world of code.
To work as a software engineer, you're going to need to know some kind of programming language, like Javascript, php, Python, Java, or C#. You also need to know something about data. SQL is a good start.
Use the net. Look at http://codecademy.com/ if you haven't done so already. Look up "coding classes free" and see what you get. There's tonnage of mediocre stuff, and some really good stuff.
Get yourself a network. Use your favorite search engine to look up stuff like "girls code san diego". When I did that, this is what I found. It looks interesting. http://sandiego.geekgirltechcon.com/
This profession has been very good to me. I hope it will be just as good to you. Go for it!
Fred’s Answer
Always glad to see kids interested in software engineering.
I agree with Ollie's feedback that you will need to learn a programming language or two. The type of math required will be determined by the college you attend. A college degree in Computer Science will open the door to many more opportunities during your career.
Good luck
Nicole’s Answer
As I write my response in the year 2020, I took a closer look at the part of your submission that says "...I am also not that great at math.." I have seen other such questions come up about how much math is "required" to become an engineer. By now, there have probably been enough responses to suggest that a lot of math is useful if one plans on developing a sustainable engineering career.
I offer that the first step in improving a situation is acknowledging when/where this is a problem. In other words, there is ALWAYS time to get better at something, including getting better at math. I will share with you that I have had a very long career in programming...but when I took my very first C programming class, in college, I barely (and I mean barely) passed. Yet somehow, I convinced that same professor to let me take another one of his C programming classes. To which he suggested that I do it as Pass/Fail. And I passed, with a better score. Today, I program in at least 5 different languages.
The point is whether it is coding, math or some other challenge, efforts to overcome challenges is what engineers (software or other types of engineers) do all day long. Some of the challenges they are often asked to solve are supremely difficult. It is my opinion that until one has the experience of overcoming a relatively small challenge, they can't get to the point of overcoming the bigger ones.
There are previous answers that give specifics on the types of coding languages that can be helpful. The good news is that those languages (JAVA, Python, C), are still very much in use and there is an avalanche of online spaces and tools that one can use to get better in these spaces. The same in true for improving one's math. The key will be in finding those spaces that teach at a pace that you are comfortable with...and there's always the local library...and books :).
I hope you find this information helpful. Best of luck to you!
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Necessary Programming Skills
To excel as a software engineer, it's crucial to master multiple programming languages. While HTML provides a good foundation, broadening your expertise to include the following languages is critical:
Java: Renowned for its stability, scalability, and compatibility, Java is a go-to language for enterprise-scale applications. It's a fantastic tool for constructing large-scale systems.
Python: Celebrated for its simplicity and versatility, Python is a jack of all trades, suitable for web development, data analysis, and machine learning. Its user-friendly nature and comprehensive libraries make it a top pick for both new and seasoned developers.
JavaScript: A cornerstone of web development, JavaScript brings interactivity and dynamic elements to websites. It works hand in hand with HTML and CSS to create responsive web applications.
C++: A powerhouse language, C++ is perfect for developing resource-heavy applications like video games, virtual reality systems, and embedded systems.
SQL: The Structured Query Language (SQL) is a must for database management, enabling efficient data retrieval and manipulation.
Git/Version Control: Knowledge of Git or another version control system is vital for managing code repositories and team collaboration on projects.
Mathematical Knowledge for Software Engineering
While software engineering doesn't demand advanced math skills like data science or physics, certain fundamental math concepts are important:
Algebra: Basic algebra is key to programming concepts like variables and functions. A solid grasp of algebra will make these concepts more intuitive.
Calculus: While not a requirement for most software engineering roles, calculus knowledge can come in handy when working with optimization algorithms or analyzing complex systems.
Statistics: Understanding statistics is crucial when dealing with data sets or creating algorithms based on probability theory or statistical analysis.
Discrete Mathematics: Discrete mathematics elements like set theory, logic, and graph theory are fundamental to understanding computer science and algorithm design.
Linear Algebra: Linear algebra comes into play when handling large datasets or implementing specific machine learning algorithms that manipulate matrices or vectors.
In conclusion:
To thrive as a software engineer, a robust foundation in programming languages like Java, Python, JavaScript, C++, SQL, and Git/Version Control is key.
A good understanding of basic math concepts like algebra, calculus, statistics, discrete mathematics (particularly set theory and logic), and linear algebra will greatly benefit your software engineering career.
May God bless you!
James Constantine Frangos.