What Do Software Engineers ACTUALLY Do?

Summary

In this video, a full-time software engineer breaks down the core responsibilities of the role, which include coding, testing, maintaining platforms, and designing software architecture. They also explain the importance of on-call support and how software engineers innovate to keep up with competition. Beyond the technical aspects, the video highlights the attractive perks of being a software engineer, such as a competitive salary, remote work benefits, and flexible hours. The engineer also emphasizes the global impact of the profession, showing how their work affects millions of users worldwide.

Takeaways

• 😀 Software engineering involves more than just coding; it includes responsibilities like testing, maintaining, and innovating technology systems.
• 😀 A software engineer's job is divided between front-end (user-facing elements) and back-end (server-side logic and databases) development.
• 😀 Front-end engineers focus on creating the user experience, like designing the layout and interactivity of web pages, while back-end engineers ensure data flows seamlessly behind the scenes.
• 😀 Full-stack engineers are proficient in both front-end and back-end development, providing versatility in software development.
• 😀 Testing is crucial in software engineering to ensure new features work properly and do not negatively impact the user experience.
• 😀 Performance and scale testing, such as simulating millions of users, is vital to avoid issues like crashes or slow load times.
• 😀 Software engineers must innovate continuously to improve existing platforms, ensuring they stay competitive with new technologies and user demands.
• 😀 Maintaining and updating software platforms requires constant adaptation to new technologies and devices, such as integrating YouTube with new devices or platforms.
• 😀 Designing the architecture and planning the workflow is essential before writing code, ensuring everyone is aligned on the project’s objectives and requirements.
• 😀 On-call support is part of the job, where engineers must be ready to resolve issues at any time, often under stressful conditions.
• 😀 The perks of being a software engineer include competitive salaries, remote work benefits (e.g., free internet, gym, and travel allowances), flexible hours, and generous time off, making it an attractive field for many professionals.

Q & A

What are the primary responsibilities of a software engineer?

The primary responsibilities of a software engineer include writing code (either front-end, back-end, or both as a full-stack engineer), testing code for performance and functionality, maintaining and innovating existing software systems, designing the architecture before coding, and providing on-call support for troubleshooting and debugging.

What is the difference between front-end and back-end engineering?

Front-end engineering focuses on the user interface and experience (e.g., buttons, visuals, and interactions), while back-end engineering handles the server-side components, such as data storage and processing. Full-stack engineers are proficient in both front-end and back-end tasks.

Why is testing code an essential responsibility for software engineers?

Testing code ensures that new features work correctly under various conditions, preventing bugs and performance issues such as crashes or slow buffering. It's critical for maintaining a positive user experience and ensuring software reliability at scale.

What is meant by 'performance testing' in software engineering?

Performance testing involves simulating different environments (such as millions or billions of user interactions) to ensure that new features or updates do not cause performance degradation, crashes, or slowdowns. This helps ensure that the software can handle real-world usage scenarios efficiently.

What are the challenges faced by software engineers when maintaining existing platforms?

Maintaining platforms involves keeping them functional while integrating new technologies or features. Engineers must ensure that the system remains compatible with other platforms and devices, continuously improving it to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Why is designing the architecture important before writing code?

Designing the architecture helps clarify project requirements, workflows, and potential challenges before implementation begins. This ensures all team members are on the same page and prevents confusion, making the development process more efficient and aligned with user needs.

How does being on-call affect a software engineer’s role?

Being on-call means that software engineers are responsible for troubleshooting and resolving critical issues that arise outside of normal working hours, which can be stressful. On-call support is typically scheduled in shifts but can occur at any time, depending on the company's needs.

What is the global impact of a software engineer’s work?

A software engineer can create solutions that impact millions of people worldwide. For example, writing code for a platform like YouTube can reach users across the globe, helping to connect people, share information, and improve experiences, far beyond the scope of professions like doctors or lawyers.

What are some of the perks of being a remote software engineer?

Remote software engineers often enjoy perks such as free internet and cell phone bills, flexible work hours, the ability to work from anywhere, travel benefits (such as free flights), and a better work-life balance. They may also receive health and wellness benefits like free gym memberships.

How does a software engineer’s salary compare to the perks they receive?

In addition to a competitive salary (around $118,000 in 2024), software engineers enjoy various benefits, such as a 401k match, paid time off, travel credits, discounts on entertainment, and flexibility in work hours and location. These perks make the overall compensation package attractive and help maintain work-life balance.