A software engineer is a professional who applies mathematical skills and principles of computer science to come up with computer software. Computer software is a set of programs that perform a specific task. And finally, a computer program is a set of commands coded in a programming language, and there are several programming languages. The engineer should be able to listen to the client's needs, analyzing them to come up with the desired software.
Software Engineering Skills
It’s important for a software engineer to have the following basic skills:
Object-oriented design techniques- Software testing and design
- Problem-solving skills
- Logical thinking
- Attention to detail
- Communication skills, both written and verbal
- Teamwork
- Programming and coding skills, using the most essential programming languages. These are C++, Java, Python, and Scale, among others.
The outbreak of the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, has greatly affected many professions. For example, teachers have revised their curriculum for online platforms because schools are closed, and pilots are currently working fewer hours, as international flights have been suspended.
So, what does the outbreak of COVID-19 mean for software engineers?
Software Engineers Working From Home
Luckily, the software engineering profession can be practiced remotely from anywhere that has Internet access. During the pandemic, the best practice is for professionals to work from home if it’s possible. Software engineers can help by developing cloud-based working platforms to support other businesses.
Contrary to the expectation that software engineers could suffer during this time, the pandemic could actually prove to be game-changing for this profession. There are valid reasons to pursue this career path, especially when you consider how much the digital landscape has revolutionized our world and the job market.
The Demand for Digital Transactions
With the current need to avoid physical contact in order to mitigate the effects of the pandemic, more customers now prefer to shop online. This has widened the scope of e-commerce and necessitated that retailers adapt to the demand for online shopping platforms. Ultimately, this means that software engineers will be needed to develop shopping carts for them, among other things. Software engineers are also helping to find creative solutions to improve this sector during this pandemic.
Role of Software Engineers in Aiding Governments During the Pandemic
There are challenges facing governments in the fight against the coronavirus. Governments have called on people to come up with solutions to some of these issues. Contact tracing is a crucial measure in the battle against the pandemic, and software engineers have a noble role in the fight. They’ve come up with applications and software that automate the process of contact tracing. They are also developing software for automatic testing kits.
Learn a New Skill During the Pandemic
Learning is a lifelong process. Software engineers can take advantage of this economic recess to polish their skills and expand their knowledge base. There are a number of professional courses available to software engineers. They can learn AutoCAD, computer driving license, CICT, just to name a few. Junior software engineers can employ this idea to climb the professional ladder. They can also learn more computer programming languages to increase their competence.
Related Content: Top 4 Programming Languages to Learn for Recruiting Dedicated Software Developers
Developing Interactive E-learning Platforms
Software engineers are dedicating their time and skills to create e-learning content and platforms for learners. This began after schools were closed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. This enables learners to thrive at home, and continue to interact with teachers in an online environment.
Cashless Economy
Software engineers also have the ability to come up with payment solutions to support online merchants and limit the handling of cash, which can be a vector for transmission of the coronavirus. Fortunately, it’s possible to develop simple and secure payment products and payment systems integrations. The available Point of Sale can be improved to allow small scale transactions.
Cash transfers are now easy and cheaper than ever before. The future of software engineering is highly promising. For example, one can specialize in payment technology to find employment in Silicon Valley.
Communication Solutions and Teleconference Facilities
Boardroom meetings are out because in-person gatherings pose a risk for contracting the virus. At this time, it’s up to software engineers to improve online communication, particularly virtual conferencing options. Of course, there are already existing platforms, such as Skype and Zoom, where people can keep in touch and exchange ideas, but there’s always room for improvement. It’s a challenge for engineers to come up with competitive, cost-effective solutions.
Related Content: How Great Communication Can Lead to Great Software Development
Contributing to Advances in Remote Healthcare
The world also needs advances in remote healthcare technology, especially during this time. Software engineers should invest their skills in contributing to tele-medicine. This will help healthcare practitioners to remotely attend to a greater number of patients without physically being in contact with them. It also means patients will no longer have to travel to receive specialized treatment. Without tele-medicine, the pandemic would have been disastrous for seriously ill patients.
Screening and Symptom Detection
Software engineers can also improve thermal detectors that convey health information about a person in simpler ways. Software engineers are playing a vital role during the pandemic.
Key Takeaway
These are the best practices that have the potential to impact the course of humanity. It’s a wake-up call to software engineers to help improve the lives of people during this time. We need technology more than ever before.
