CST348 - Week 1: What is Software Engineering?

A little over a year ago, we completed the Intro to Software Engineering course, which ended with a project that accepted data and allowed users to sign in. Because of that experience, I had a feeling we would be starting from a similar point in this course.

Personally, before every course, I get nervous that I won't immediately understand the material. However, the lab instructions painted a clear picture of what was expected, and that helped me feel more confident about how this course will go for me.

We did, in some ways, start where I thought we would. One thing I learned this week is the difference between a programmer and a software engineer. It is more than just producing code; software engineering involves developing projects with a focus on efficiency, maintainability, and the overall design process.

I am also learning about additional software engineering principles and concepts, such as Hyrum's Rule and, interestingly, the Beyoncé Rule. These ideas have given me a broader understanding of how software is developed and maintained in real-world environments.

Moving forward, I plan to continue preparing for class the way I did this past week. Staying organized and proactive helped me feel more confident, and I hope to maintain that momentum throughout the course.