How do you separate yourself from others in software engineering?
Software engineering is a tough field, but you can get ahead with some unfair advantages.
Whether you're new to software development or wanting to grow within your craft, here are 7 tips that will give you an edge.
Unfair Advantage 1: Thinking Like a Hacker
Adopting a hacker's mindset is a unique and valuable skill in software development. It's about understanding and anticipating potential security vulnerabilities, not to exploit them, but to prevent them.
By thinking like a hacker, you get insights into how attackers might target a system, which enables you to build stronger, more secure applications. This approach involves looking at your own software from an attacker's perspective. It's about asking, 'If I were trying to breach this system, how would I do it?'
This stance helps in identifying and fixing security flaws before they can be exploited. In today’s era, where cybersecurity is a top concern, having this skill is more important than ever. It allows developers to stay one step ahead of potential threats, ensuring the safety of their applications.
Unfair Advantage 2: Cross-Platform Critical Thinking
Have you ever tried using your favorite app on different devices, like a phone, a tablet, or a computer, and noticed how it changes slightly but still works well on all of them? That's because the people who made it used something called "Cross-Platform Critical Thinking."
You learn what makes a computer different from a tablet or a phone. You find out what each can do well, and what they find tricky. Maybe the computer is great for showing big, detailed pictures, while the phone is better at being quick and easy to use. Perhaps the logic is not too different between all devices so you can create a backend API that would promote reusability of the business logic.
Understanding the similarities and differences between all different type of devices will give you a competitive edge.
Unfair Advantage 3: Scripting and Automation
Learning how to write scripts for repetitive tasks can greatly increase your time management. Whether you're using batch scripting, PowerShell, or shell scripting, automating routine tasks can dramatically improve your productivity.
Automating tasks ensures consistency and accuracy, eliminating the risk of human error in repetitive processes. It's not just about speed; it's about enhancing the quality of your work. As you master different types of scripting, you free up valuable time to focus on more complex and rewarding aspects of your job.
Unfair Advantage 4: Advanced Concepts in Version Control
Having a basic grasp of version control is pretty standard in tech, but diving deeper into tools like Git and GitHub can really make a difference. Advanced skills in version control go beyond the basics, and include things like overall branch strategy.
Advanced capabilities are vital for teamwork in software development. They help in keeping the codebase organized and efficient, ensuring smooth collaboration among team members.
In essence, version control is more than just a technical skill – it's about enhancing team productivity and project success.
Unfair Advantage 5: Cloud Computing
In today’s tech world, being skilled in cloud computing is essential. Knowing your way around cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud is crucial. These platforms offer a range of services for storage, computing, and much more, and being able to use them effectively is key.
This expertise isn't just about basic usage; it includes managing cloud resources efficiently, enhancing cloud performance, and ensuring robust cloud security. It's about making the most of what the cloud offers while keeping data safe and operations running smoothly.
Unfair Advantage 6: Proficiency in Debugging and Testing
Being proficient in debugging and testing is a critical skill in software development. It's not just about writing code, but ensuring that it works correctly and efficiently. This proficiency involves identifying and fixing bugs, and testing software to ensure its reliability and performance.
Effective debugging and testing are crucial for delivering high-quality software. They help in preventing future issues, improving user experience, and maintaining the integrity of the application. Mastering these skills means you can ensure that your software is robust and performs as intended.
Unfair Advantage 7: CI/CD
Lastly, understanding Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) is key. This isn't just about writing code; it's about how the code gets put together and used in the real world. CI/CD automates the process of getting software ready and getting it out to users. Knowing how to set up and manage this process, and use tools like Jenkins and GitHub Actions, makes software development faster and better.
Good luck on your coding journey!
Cheers friend,
Eric
These tips are 💯 Eric.
There's probably no organization out there that would hire you that doesn't have some kind of a CI/CD, yet I don't see enough beginner engineers talking about it.
Git/CI/CD and a bit of bash are probably skills that will outlive some "flavor of the month" libraries, so it's worth every minute invested into learning these.
But I also have a debt to pay here; it's Cloud Computing. While I worked with all these platforms, except Azure, I never took the time to learn one inside out. In the next few months, I've got some time on the side and will probably invest that into AWS Certificates, beginning from the cloud practitioner.