3 answers
Travis
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
1
Question
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I'm debating whether or not to go into the programming / software engineering or network engineering. What are some things to know about each?
I'm debating whether or not to go into the programming / software engineering or network engineering. What are some things to know about each?
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3 answers
Peter Huang
Security consultant
79
Answers
Cupertino, California
Updated
Peter’s Answer
I would ask the question, are you interested in the computer science side or computer technology side. in computer science part, you're learning how a machine that compute with the aid of programming. in computer technology side, you are using your programming skill to harness the computer technology (whether in software/network). in the 1st one, you used what ever the language to enhance the learning. in the 2nd one, you use whatever the languages available to you on the system/hardware side. Hope that help.
Mickael Rosenberg
Software Engineer
265
Answers
Bellevue, Washington
Updated
Mickael’s Answer
Hi Travis,
I am honestly not sure what is a Network engineering in your mind. I learn programming and networking almost at the same time since what programmer does not open socket to connect to a network? Almost all recent network devices are smart devices, some since their first conception, some have become smarter over time. And all devices have firmware (code embedded in the device). So even if you take networking and unless you really do not want to develop, you'll be dealing with code at some point. Unless what you call networking is actually telecom.
So I do not see why not doing both?
I am honestly not sure what is a Network engineering in your mind. I learn programming and networking almost at the same time since what programmer does not open socket to connect to a network? Almost all recent network devices are smart devices, some since their first conception, some have become smarter over time. And all devices have firmware (code embedded in the device). So even if you take networking and unless you really do not want to develop, you'll be dealing with code at some point. Unless what you call networking is actually telecom.
So I do not see why not doing both?
Suvankar Das Gupta
Enterprise Architect
2
Answers
Evanston, Illinois
Updated
Suvankar’s Answer
Hi,
Based on my experience, I consider coding as a skill. It is almost the same as math or communication. If you have that skill, you can write Software for general user applications (Word, excel etc.), enterprise applications (like ERP, CRM, HCM etc.) or for Systems (driver, OS etc.) or Network (security software, embedded software etc.).
Beyond the coding skill you also need to build your knowledgebase about the domain to write the software. To be an enterprise application programmer you need to understand the business and processes (like finance, insurance, supply chain etc.) for which you want to develop applications. For Network engineering you can gain your knowledge on OSI layers, protocols, Firewalls and security, network and cloud infrastructure etc.
Thanks,
Suvankar
Based on my experience, I consider coding as a skill. It is almost the same as math or communication. If you have that skill, you can write Software for general user applications (Word, excel etc.), enterprise applications (like ERP, CRM, HCM etc.) or for Systems (driver, OS etc.) or Network (security software, embedded software etc.).
Beyond the coding skill you also need to build your knowledgebase about the domain to write the software. To be an enterprise application programmer you need to understand the business and processes (like finance, insurance, supply chain etc.) for which you want to develop applications. For Network engineering you can gain your knowledge on OSI layers, protocols, Firewalls and security, network and cloud infrastructure etc.
Thanks,
Suvankar