Hello, we are Wingravity, a software engineering company, and this article is for the curious souls who want to unravel the mystery and answer that one question
What Software Engineers Really Do?
Today, we’re getting you some answers.
Well, first of all, we are not confined to a desk or a specific location, and we can work virtually anywhere in the world where it’s legally allowed. Right now, we are based in Romania.
We are not here to tell you about the nitty-gritty details of our daily routine, like how we prepare our morning cup of tea.
No, this article is about understanding the essence of the job.
It’s for those of you who are considering a career in software engineering but have no clue what it really involves.
And hey, it’s also for people like our parents, who, despite our numerous explanations, still wonder what their software engineer daughter or son does.
The explanation we’re about to give you today is the same one we’d share with any friend or family member.
So, if you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “What on earth does a software engineer do?”—you’re in the right place because we’re finally going to spill the beans.
Section 1: How the online world operates
The Engine Behind the Online Ecosystem
In an age where everything, from our banking to daily activities, is conducted online, the complexity behind the scenes can be mind-boggling.
Doing your online banking, for instance, isn’t as simple as a well-designed website; it involves meticulous data management, ensuring a seamless user experience, fortifying security, and maintaining application stability.
You hitting that login button and being able to access your account depends on it.
Why do software engineers like us have a job, you ask?
Well, it boils down to this: you, the client, continually want more.
And that’s a good thing. It means we must keep delivering because the digital landscape is ever-evolving.
Businesses must adapt to meet your rising expectations, and senior management starts the cycle of innovation, which moves through product design and ultimately ends with us, the software engineers.
Section 2: The Web’s Hidden Complexity
Every time you visit a website, it’s way more complex than it seems.
We don’t usually consider the journey we take online, like what happens when you click a button or visit the next page.
For instance, when you press that button to access a different page, it sends a message to the server. The server receives your request and directs you to the new page.
But it can get even more advanced—think of authorization. Sometimes, you need to be logged in to access certain pages. So, when you click that button, it tells the server, “Hold on, let’s check if this person is logged in and allowed to view this page.” If it’s a green light, you see the page; if not, you might get an error message or be prompted to log in.
Consider filling out a form, like when you enter your login details. It involves some behind-the-scenes magic. Your input, such as your email and password, is sent to the server. The server checks if your account exists, and if it does, it verifies if the password you entered matches the encrypted one it stores.
Here’s a crucial point: websites usually encrypt your password for security, so it’s not stored as plain text in their database. It’s a labyrinth of scrambled characters, numbers, and symbols that need to be deciphered.
This is the kind of logic software engineers write, often dealing with outcomes like true or false, success or error.
The examples we provided are primarily back-end engineering tasks, but there’s also a front-end aspect. When you hit “submit” on your username and password, that’s the front-end work. Generally, everything you see on a website is considered the front end, while logic manipulation resides in the back end.
However, it’s not always that black and white; it depends on a website’s architecture.
Section 3: The Lifeblood of Online Services
Your data is like gold in the digital age, and managing it is a paramount task.
Whether it’s your bank transactions, social media posts, or even your online shopping history, data management is the bedrock of online functionality.
When you log in to your bank account or scroll through your favorite social media platform, there’s an intricate dance happening. It’s not just about displaying your data; it’s about doing it seamlessly and securely.
Imagine the vast amount of information that needs to be stored, processed, and delivered to you within the blink of an eye.
For software engineers, this means creating databases, implementing data structures, and fine-tuning algorithms.
It’s all about making sure your data is safe, accessible, and retrievable whenever you need it.
Whether you’re transferring money, posting a status update, or buying the latest gadgets, there’s complex data management happening in the background.
So, the next time you fill out an online form, make a bank transfer, or post a photo, remember that a legion of digital warriors, including software engineers, are tirelessly working to safeguard your data and protect your digital identity.
But the story doesn’t end here; there’s more to uncover about our day-to-day lives. So, before we wrap up, let’s dive deeper into the everyday tasks that keep the online world turning.
Section 4: Unveiling the Software Engineer’s Daily Grind
Imagine our job as building and maintaining the digital world you interact with daily.
We take on tasks in the form of “tickets,” which are sets of requirements for a specific part of a feature. These tickets are like pieces of a puzzle, and our goal is to fit them together seamlessly.
When you’re browsing a website or using an app, you’re essentially interacting with a digital copy of it that resides on our computers. This copy is where we work our magic. We write the code that makes these digital entities come to life. It could be something simple that takes less than an hour or a more complex feature that might take a week.
Once our solution is ready, it goes through rigorous testing and approval by our team. After the green light, we merge our work into the version of the code that powers the live website. It’s a bit like performing a digital update, and suddenly, your online experience is enhanced.
So, in a nutshell, we’re the ones ensuring your online world functions smoothly. We’re constantly making small tweaks and improvements behind the scenes.
The result? Your seamless online experience.
Section 5: Beyond the Code: Collaborations and Decisions
It’s not just about coding; you’ll often find yourself outside of your coding comfort zone.
We’re talking meetings—with teammates, other engineers, and product people.
These meetings revolve around discussions, requirements, and the grand masterplan of how to create a feature.
As a software engineer, it’s essential to possess the skills and knowledge to determine the best approach to solving a problem. You must consider time constraints and the long-term implications of your code for the application.
Sometimes, you’ll have to decide whether to breathe new life into old code or craft something entirely new.
The world of software engineering goes beyond programming languages; it delves deep into architecture, decision-making, and problem-solving.
It’s a dynamic and multifaceted role, and it’s anything but a one-trick pony.
Wrapping It Up
If you’ve made it this far, you’re already diving deep into the world of software engineering.
But we’re not done yet. We’d love to hear your thoughts and questions.
Are you considering a career in software engineering, or maybe you’re already in the field but see it differently?
Tell us your perspective, your experiences, and what you think about this job.
Thanks again for being a part of our journey, and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts and share more with you in the future.
