In the fast-paced realm of software engineering, staying up to date with the latest trends is paramount. The landscape is constantly evolving, with new technologies and methodologies redefining the way we approach development, enhancing user experiences, and introducing new possibilities for businesses across industries. And 2023 will be no different. 

Already this year the tech headlines have been dominated by advancements in artificial intelligence, natural language processing, edge computing, and 5G. And these are just a few of the software engineering trends we expect to take shape this year. In this article, we’ll take a deeper look at how these technologies — and others — are evolving and the impact they’ll have on the software engineering landscape in 2023 and beyond.

Artificial Intelligence 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become more than just a buzzword; it is now a driving force behind innovation in the field of software engineering. With its ability to simulate human intelligence and automate tasks, AI is transforming the way software is developed, deployed, and used across industries. In 2022, machine learning was the most in-demand technical skill in the world, and in 2023, as AI and ML become even more deeply embedded in software engineering, we expect to see demand for professionals with these skills to remain high. 

One of the key areas where AI is making a significant impact is in automating repetitive tasks. Software engineers can leverage AI-powered tools and frameworks to automate mundane and time-consuming activities, such as code generation, testing, and debugging. This enables developers to focus on higher-level problem-solving and creativity, leading to faster and more efficient development cycles.

AI also plays a crucial role in enhancing decision-making processes. Through machine learning algorithms, software engineers can develop intelligent systems that analyze large datasets, identify patterns, and make predictions. This capability has far-reaching implications, ranging from personalized recommendations in e-commerce platforms to predictive maintenance in manufacturing industries.

Furthermore, AI is revolutionizing user experiences. Natural language processing (NLP) and computer vision are just a couple of AI subfields that enable software engineers to build applications with advanced capabilities. Chatbots that can understand and respond to user queries, image recognition systems that identify objects and faces, and voice assistants that make interactions more intuitive are all examples of AI-powered applications that enrich user experiences.

As AI continues to evolve, its applications are expanding into healthcare, finance, autonomous vehicles, and many other industries. Understanding AI and its potential empowers software engineers to harness its capabilities and drive innovation in their respective fields. 

Kubernetes

As software applications become increasingly complex and distributed, the need for efficient management of containers and microservices has become crucial. This is where Kubernetes, an open-source container orchestration platform, comes into play. 

At its core, Kubernetes simplifies the management of containerized applications. Containers allow developers to package applications and their dependencies into portable and isolated units, ensuring consistency across different environments. Kubernetes takes containerization to the next level by automating the deployment, scaling, and management of these containers.

One of the key benefits of Kubernetes is its ability to enable horizontal scaling. By distributing containers across multiple nodes, Kubernetes ensures that applications can handle increasing traffic loads effectively. It automatically adjusts the number of containers based on demand, ensuring optimal utilization of resources.

Kubernetes also enhances fault tolerance and resilience. If a container or node fails, Kubernetes automatically detects and replaces it, ensuring that applications remain available and responsive. It enables self-healing capabilities, ensuring that the desired state of the application is always maintained.

Furthermore, Kubernetes promotes declarative configuration and infrastructure as code practices. Through the use of YAML-based configuration files, developers can define the desired state of their applications and infrastructure. This allows for reproducibility, version control, and easier collaboration among teams.

As the ecosystem surrounding Kubernetes continues to evolve and become more complex and sophisticated, both adoption of the Kubernetes platform and demand for professionals with Kubernetes experience will continue to grow.

Edge Computing

In the era of rapidly growing data volumes and increasing demand for real-time processing, edge computing has emerged as a crucial software engineering trend that supports cloud optimization and innovation within the IoT space. Edge computing brings computing resources closer to the data source, reducing latency, enhancing performance, and enabling near-instantaneous decision-making.

Traditional cloud computing relies on centralized data centers located far from the end users. In contrast, edge computing pushes computational capabilities to the edge of the network, closer to where the data is generated. This approach is particularly valuable in scenarios where real-time processing and low latency are critical, such as autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

By processing data at the edge, edge computing minimizes the need for data transmission to the cloud, reducing network congestion and latency. This is especially beneficial in situations where network connectivity is limited, unreliable, or costly. Edge Computing enables quicker response times and can support applications that require immediate actions, such as detecting anomalies, triggering alarms, or providing real-time feedback.

One of the key advantages of Edge Computing is its ability to address privacy and security concerns. With data being processed and analyzed locally, sensitive information can be kept closer to its source, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches. This is particularly significant in sectors like healthcare and finance, where data privacy and security are paramount.

DevSecOps

According to a report by Cybersecurity Ventures, the global annual cost of cybercrime is expected to reach $8 trillion in 2023. Security is more important than ever, which has led many engineering organizations to reconsider the way they approach and implement security practices. And that’s where DevSecOps comes into play. 

DevSecOps, an evolution of the DevOps philosophy, integrates security practices throughout the entire software development lifecycle, ensuring that security is not an afterthought but an integral part of the process. Adoption of this new approach to development continues to gain momentum, with 56% of developers reporting their teams use DevSecOps and DevOps methodologies — up from 47% in 2022.

One of the key benefits of DevSecOps is the ability to identify and mitigate security vulnerabilities early in the development cycle. By conducting security assessments, code reviews, and automated vulnerability scanning, software engineers can identify potential risks and address them proactively. This proactive approach minimizes the likelihood of security breaches and reduces the cost and effort required for remediation later on.

DevSecOps also enables faster and more secure software delivery. By integrating security checks into the continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipeline, software engineers can automate security testing and validation. This ensures that each code change is thoroughly assessed for security vulnerabilities before being deployed to production, reducing the risk of introducing vulnerabilities into the software.

Collaboration is a fundamental aspect of DevSecOps. Software engineers work closely with security teams and operations teams to establish shared responsibilities and ensure that security practices are integrated seamlessly into the development process. This collaborative effort promotes a culture of shared ownership and accountability for security, enabling faster decision-making and more effective risk mitigation.

Progressive Web Applications

In an era where mobile devices dominate our daily lives, progressive web applications (PWAs) have emerged as a significant software engineering trend, with desktop installations of PWAs growing by 270 percent since 2021. PWAs bridge the gap between traditional websites and native mobile applications, offering the best of both worlds. These web applications provide a seamless and immersive user experience while leveraging the capabilities of modern web technologies.

PWAs are designed to be fast, responsive, and reliable, allowing users to access them instantly, regardless of network conditions. Unlike traditional web applications that require a constant internet connection, PWAs can work offline or with a poor network connection. By caching key resources, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files, PWAs ensure that users can access content and perform actions even when they are offline. This enhances the user experience and allows applications to continue functioning seamlessly in challenging network conditions.

One of the key advantages of PWAs is their cross-platform compatibility. Unlike native mobile applications that require separate development efforts for different platforms (e.g., Android and iOS), PWAs are built once and can run on any device with a modern web browser. This significantly reduces development time and costs while expanding the potential user base.

PWAs are also discoverable and shareable. They can be indexed by search engines, making them more visible to users searching for relevant content. Additionally, PWAs can be easily shared via URLs, enabling users to share specific app screens or features with others.

As we venture into 2023, PWAs continue to gain traction, blurring the lines between web and mobile applications. 

Web 3.0

The global Web 3.0 market size stood at $2.2 billion in 2022 and is set to grow by a compounded annual growth rate of 44.5 percent, reaching $81.9 billion by 2032. Also known as the Semantic Web, Web 3.0 is an exciting software engineering trend that aims to enhance the capabilities and intelligence of the World Wide Web. Building upon the foundation of Web 2.0, which focused on user-generated content and interactivity, Web 3.0 takes it a step further by enabling machines to understand and process web data, leading to a more intelligent and personalized online experience.

The core concept behind Web 3.0 is the utilization of semantic technologies and artificial intelligence to organize, connect, and extract meaning from vast amounts of web data. This enables computers and applications to not only display information but also comprehend its context and relationships, making the web more intuitive and interactive.

One of the key benefits of Web 3.0 is its ability to provide a more personalized and tailored user experience. By understanding user preferences, behavior, and context, Web 3.0 applications can deliver highly relevant content, recommendations, and services. For example, an e-commerce website powered by Web 3.0 can offer personalized product recommendations based on a user’s browsing history, purchase patterns, and preferences.

Web 3.0 also facilitates the development of intelligent agents and chatbots that can understand and respond to natural language queries, enabling more efficient and interactive user interactions. These intelligent agents can assist with tasks such as customer support, information retrieval, and decision-making.

5G

5G, the fifth generation of wireless technology, is set to revolutionize connectivity and enable a new era of innovation. With its promise of ultra-fast speeds, low latency, and high capacity, 5G opens up a world of possibilities for software engineers, paving the way for advancements in areas such as autonomous vehicles, smart cities, Internet of Things, and immersive experiences. And as mobile networks continue to grow and consumers adopt more 5G devices, more and more companies are investing in the development of applications that take advantage of 5G’s capabilities. 

One of the most significant advantages of 5G is its remarkable speed. With download speeds reaching up to 10 gigabits per second, 5G enables lightning-fast data transfer, allowing for real-time streaming, seamless video calls, and rapid file downloads. This enhanced speed unlocks new possibilities for high-bandwidth applications, such as 4K and 8K video streaming, virtual reality, and augmented reality experiences.

Low latency is another key feature of 5G. Latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another. With 5G, latency is significantly reduced, enabling near-instantaneous communication and response times. This is crucial for applications that require real-time interactions, such as autonomous vehicles that rely on split-second decision-making or remote robotic surgeries where even a slight delay can have serious consequences.

Moreover, 5G has the potential to connect a massive number of devices simultaneously, thanks to its increased capacity. This makes it ideal for powering the Internet of Things (IoT), where billions of devices can seamlessly communicate with each other and the cloud. From smart homes and wearables to industrial sensors and smart grids, 5G’s high capacity enables a truly connected and intelligent ecosystem.

Key Takeaways

As you can see, the software engineering landscape in 2023 will be marked by an exciting array of trends that are shaping the future of technology and innovation. Embracing these software engineering trends allows businesses and software engineers alike to harness their potential and create innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of users. To learn more about the type of tech professionals and skills needed to build the future of software, check out HackerRank’s roles directory.

This article was written with the help of AI. Can you tell which parts? 

The post Top 7 Software Engineering Trends for 2023 appeared first on HackerRank Blog.

Software engineering and software development are two of the most in-demand careers in the tech industry. And with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting the number of software jobs to increase by 25 percent over the next decade, demand for these skilled professionals will only grow. 

But there is often confusion between the roles of software engineers and software developers. While the two terms are often used interchangeably, they can actually refer to distinct roles with unique skill sets and responsibilities. Understanding the differences between software engineers and software developers is crucial for both hiring managers and early career professionals looking to navigate the industry. 

Whether you’re looking to hire a software engineer or software developer, or you’re interested in pursuing a career in software development, this article will help you gain a better understanding of the skills and responsibilities associated with each role, leaving you equipped to make more informed hiring decisions or chart a career path that aligns with your strengths and interests.

What is a Software Engineer?

A software engineer is a professional who applies engineering principles to the design, development, testing, and maintenance of software. The role of a software engineer is often focused on the bigger picture of a software system and typically involves a high degree of problem-solving, as well as collaboration with other members of a development team. 

Responsibilities of a Software Engineer

The responsibilities of a software engineer can vary depending on the size and scope of the organization they work for, as well as the specific project they are working on. However, some common responsibilities of a software engineer may include:

• Designing and developing software applications and systems
• Overseeing the strategic planning and management of software projects
• Working with stakeholders to ensure software requirements are met
• Writing and testing code to ensure software quality and reliability
• Collaborating with team members to solve technical challenges
• Writing automated tests to ensure software quality and reliability
• Conducting research and staying up-to-date on industry trends and best practices
• Designing and implementing algorithms to solve complex problems
• Participating in code reviews and providing feedback to colleagues

Unique Skills Required for a Software Engineering Role

Software engineering requires a unique set of skills that go beyond technical know-how. A software engineer must also be able to work well with others, communicate effectively, and think critically. Some of the key skills required for a software engineering role include:

• In-depth knowledge of programming languages, frameworks, tools and operating systems
• Familiarity with software engineering best practices and methodologies 
• The ability to apply engineering principles to software creation 
• Experience debugging software and systems

• Communication and collaboration skills
• Proficiency in advanced mathematics 
• Strong problem-solving abilities
• Project management skills 
• Leadership skills 

What is a Software Developer?

A software developer is a professional who is responsible for writing, testing and maintaining software code. The role of a software developer is primarily focused on the technical aspects of software development, such as coding and debugging. So, where a software engineer is often focused on the design, development and testing of entire computer systems, a software developer may focus more on specific applications or parts of the software. Many software developers even specialize in certain programming languages or types of development — like mobile, front-end or web — in order to set themselves apart in the job market and gain greater expertise in the tools of their trade. 

Responsibilities of a Software Developer

Just like with software engineers, the responsibilities of a software developer can vary depending on the organization they work for, as well as the specific project they are working on. However, some common responsibilities of a software developer may include:

• Writing, testing and debugging code for software applications
• Collaborating with other members of a development team to solve technical challenges
• Participating in code reviews and providing feedback to colleagues
• Staying up-to-date on industry trends and best practices
• Working with end-users to identify software needs and requirements
• ​​Writing automated tests to ensure software quality and reliability

Unique Skills Required for a Software Development Role

Software development requires a unique set of skills that are focused on technical abilities and attention to detail. While a software developer must be able to work well with others and communicate effectively, their primary focus is on writing high-quality code. Some of the key skills required for a software development role include:

• Strong coding skills in one or more programming languages
• Attention to detail and a focus on writing high-quality code
• Knowledge of software development best practices and methodologies
• Ability to connect the big picture to the smaller components of a system or application
• Familiarity with software testing and debugging processes
• Knowledge of algorithms and data structures 
• Time management skills
• Creativity

What are the Differences Between a Software Engineer and a Software Developer?

While the terms software engineer and software developer are often used interchangeably, there are noteworthy differences between the two roles.

Scope of Work

The primary distinction between software engineers and software developers is in the scope of their work. Software engineers focus on the big picture — the entire software development life cycle – from requirements planning and analysis to the testing and deployment of new software. They leverage their extensive knowledge of programming languages, computer operating systems, advanced mathematics, and software development best practices to determine the best way to build and maintain complex software systems. Software engineers focus on, for example, how, where, and what data is stored. Or what tools to use to ensure a smooth integration with the existing codebase. 

Software developers, on the other hand, focus on the “development” phase of the software development life cycle. Their work involves building the individual components of a software system — often components they have specialized knowledge in – like front-end or back-end systems or mobile applications. They work with engineers to understand the requirements and design specifications, and then implement them.

Think of it like a restaurant kitchen. Software engineers are like the head chefs, creating the menu, choosing ingredients that complement one another and determining the right methods for cooking and preparing the food. And software developers are like the line cooks. They take the head chef’s vision and bring it to life, executing the recipes to perfection.

Focus on Technical Skills

While both software engineers and software developers require strong technical skills, their different focuses lead to specialization in different skills.

Software engineers tend to be more involved in the early stages of software development, such as requirements gathering, system design, and architecture planning. This requires engineers to have greater proficiency in a range of programming languages, frameworks, tools, and operating systems, as well as a broad understanding of various methodologies, trends, and best practices. They need to know how all the moving parts will work together in order to design software systems that are scalable, maintainable and efficient. 

Software developers, on the other hand, tend to focus more on the coding and testing of smaller-scale projects and may work more closely with end-users to ensure the software meets their needs. While they may possess many of the same technical skills as an engineer, their knowledge tends to be more focused and specialized, giving them a deeper understanding of the limitations and possibilities of specific software tools or programming languages. They take an engineer’s design specifications and find the best way to implement them in the code.

Education and Training

Software development is often seen as a subset of software engineering, so when it comes to education and training, there can be a fair amount of overlap between software engineers and software developers. But the level of education and training required for these two roles can and often does differ. 

Given the broader scope of a software engineer’s work, they’re often required to have more comprehensive technical education. They learn how to apply engineering principles and the scientific method to the entire software development life cycle, and are educated in subjects like systems design and analysis, software validation and testing, and software architecture. Some companies may even require a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. However, with the rise of engineering bootcamps and more accessible online learning resources, there are more opportunities than ever for engineers without traditional education backgrounds.

A software developer may choose to take a similar educational path as a software engineer, allowing them to work in either role, or specialize in a particular programming language or type of software development. While software developer roles are less likely to require a college degree, many developers still choose to pursue higher education for the strong skills foundation — and leg-up in the job search — that a degree can provide. However, given that software developers’ main focus is on writing high-quality code, they often need less education than an engineer, which can make it easier to get started in a career as a software developer — particularly for people who are self-taught or don’t have a traditional coding background. 

Job Titles and Roles

Another difference between software engineers and software developers is their job titles and roles within an organization. Software engineers are often seen as senior-level professionals who oversee the design and development of software systems and may be involved in managing other members of a development team. Software developers, on the other hand, are typically seen as entry- or mid-level professionals who are responsible for writing and testing code and may work under the guidance of a software engineer.

How to Choose the Right Role for Your Team

Despite these differences, the lines between software engineering and software development can sometimes be blurred, and many professionals have skills and experience in both areas. Many organizations use the terms interchangeably, and the roles and responsibilities of software engineers and software developers can overlap depending on the size and scope of the project they are working on. 

For hiring managers looking to add software professionals to their teams, the choice of which role to hire for will depend on the specific needs and goals of the organization, as well as the skills and experience of the candidates being considered. 

Remember: software engineers work on the macro-level, while software developers work on the micro-level. If the team is focused on large-scale and complex software development projects with multiple components and integrations, a software engineer may be the right choice. But if the team is focused on coding and testing, say, a new mobile application for an existing system, or needs someone with expertise in a specific programming language or framework, a software developer may be a better fit. 

The size of a company can also be a determining factor. Startups, for example, often operate with leaner teams, which means they need software engineers who can act as both engineer and developer. Enterprise businesses with more robust software teams generally have more resources available to hire both engineers and developers, which allows them to take advantage of the specialized knowledge developers can bring to the table. 

Key Takeaways

Whether you’re looking to hire software professionals or find your next great role, understanding the differences between a software engineer vs. a software developer can be the key to your long-term success. To learn more about the skills and competencies needed for a variety of technical roles and browse our library of up-to-date resources, check out HackerRank’s roles directory.

This article was written with the help of AI. Can you tell which parts?

The post Software Engineer vs. Software Developer: Is There Actually a Difference? appeared first on HackerRank Blog.

The questions you ask software engineers in a technical interview have a huge impact on hiring outcomes. So much so, that 34% of engineers and developers consider the quality of interview questions to be the number one factor in whether or not they accept a job offer. The relevance of the questions is also key, as 32% of engineers and developers reported this as the first thing they notice about a company during an interview.

So what types of questions should you ask when interviewing a software engineer?

We’ve compiled a list of practical interview questions covering four key software engineering skills: system design, programming, database management, and non-technical problem solving. To create a question strategy for your upcoming interview, select some of the following problems that directly assess the skills you’re hiring for.

System Design Questions

A system design question challenges candidates to design a back-end system, often on a physical or virtual whiteboard. By their nature, system design questions are broad, open-ended questions with a variety of possible answers. Candidates should verbally explain their solution and thought process as they develop their answer, considering factors such as scalability, storage, and reliability. System design questions are more commonly found in hiring processes for senior-level roles, though engineers of other experience levels might also encounter this type of question.

Design a ride-sharing service

Design a ride-sharing service that enables users to request rides through an app. The system should account for workflows for both passengers and drivers.

Components to consider:

• Payment processing
• Encryption and storage of payment methods
• Push notifications and in-app messaging
• Databases to manage user and driver data
• Data privacy and encryption
• GPS and mapping technology
• User reviews and score aggregation
• Data tracking to identify patterns and spikes in activity
• Image hosting system

Design a simple social media application

Designing a social media application is a common system design question that tests the candidate’s ability to plan out the structure of a wide range of technologies. Databases, media hosting, and algorithms are just a few of the topics they’ll need to cover to successfully answer this question.

Components to consider:

• Ranking algorithms
• Databases to manage user data (SQL, MySQL)
• Privacy controls
• Engagement features (following, liking, commenting, sharing)
• Hosting of user generated content (images, video, gifs)
• Database schema

Design a video streaming service

Design a video streaming service that allows users to view and search videos. The service should also enable internal teams to upload content through the back end. The service needs to be highly scalable, supporting large numbers of users on the platform. The application should also be able to upload, store, edit, and transmit large data files.

Components to consider:

• Databases to manage user data (SQL, MySQL)
• Video and image hosting system
• Privacy controls and age restrictions
• Engagement features (following, liking, commenting, sharing)
• Recording data about video performance
• Ranking and recommendation algorithm
• Push notifications and announcements
• Video player functionality

Design a URL shortening service

Design a URL shortening service that returns a short and unique URL when a user enters a long URL. Applications such TinyURL and bit.ly are examples of this service. However, many other technology companies, such as YouTube, also have their own URL shortening services built into their functionalities.

Components to consider:

• Generating a unique and short URL
• Scalability to handle thousands of requests
• Functionality to redirect from the short link to the original
• Support for custom URLs
• Analytics and tracking of clicks
• High availability and uptime

Design a file-storing and sharing service

Design a file hosting service that enables users to upload, store, edit, download, share, and delete files. The service should provide synchronization across various devices. Examples of this service include Dropbox and Google Drive.

Components to consider:

• ​File management functionality (upload, view, download)
• Automatic synchronization between devices
• ACID properties on database transactions
• File sharing and permission tracking
• Search functionality to locate files
• Storage of large files

Language-Specific Programming Questions

Most coding questions aren’t specific to a particular programming language, allowing a programmer to write code in their language of choice. However, some coding interviews will have questions that test a specific language required by the role.

C

Write a function int max_of_four(int a, int b, int c, int d) which reads four arguments and returns the greatest of them. There is not a built-in max function in C. Code that will be reused is often put in a separate function, e.g. int max(x, y) that returns the greater of the two values. Input will contain four integers – a, b, c, d – one on each line. Note: I/O will be automatically handled.

Java

Given an integer, n, perform the following conditional actions:

If n is odd, print Weird

If n is even and in the inclusive range of 2 to 5, print Not Weird

If n is even and in the inclusive range of 6 to 20, print Weird

If n is even and greater than 20, print Not Weird

Input format: a single line containing a positive integer n. Constraints: 1 <= n <= 100.

Ruby

A hacker practices on HackerRank until getting to a rating of O(1) read as (Oh-one). Call the method coder.practice until coder.oh_one? becomes true. Use the until control structure. until is the logical equivalent of while not. This challenge has a one-line answer.

Database Management Questions

Below are examples of the kinds of database problems a software engineer might face during a technical interview. These questions all test SQL and relational database skills.

Print Prime Numbers

View Problem

Write a query to print all prime numbers less than or equal to 1000. Print your result on a single line, and use the ampersand (&) character as your separator (instead of a space).

For example, the output for all prime numbers <= 10 would be:

2&3&5&7

New Companies

View Problem

Amber’s conglomerate corporation just acquired some new companies. Each of the companies follows this hierarchy: Founder → Lead Manager → Senior Manager → Manager → Employee

Given the table schemas below, write a query to print the company_code, founder name, total number of lead managers, total number of senior managers, total number of managers, and total number of employees. Order your output by ascending company_code.

The tables may contain duplicate records. The company_code is string, so the sorting should not be numeric. For example, if the company_codes are C_1, C_2, and C_10, then the ascending company_codes will be C_1, C_10, and C_2.

Weather Observation Station

View Problem

Consider P1(a,b) and P2(c,d)  to be two points on a 2D plane.

• a happens to equal the minimum value in Northern Latitude (LAT_N in STATION).
• b happens to equal the minimum value in Western Longitude (LONG_W in STATION).
• c happens to equal the maximum value in Northern Latitude (LAT_N in STATION).
• d happens to equal the maximum value in Western Longitude (LONG_W in STATION).

Query the Manhattan Distance between points P1 and P2 and round it to a scale of 4 decimal places.

The STATION table is described as follows:

where LAT_N is the northern latitude and LONG_W is the western longitude.

Non-Technical Problem-Solving Interview Questions 

Technical skills aren’t the only competency required for engineering. Software engineers solve complex challenges, collaborate with other engineers, and communicate with non-technical stakeholders. To succeed in an engineering role, new hires need to have strong problem solving skills that go beyond the technical realm. Teams looking to hire well-rounded engineers should ask questions that test non-technical problem solving skills, including brainstorming, resource planning, and conflict resolution.

Given the problem of selecting a new tool to invest in, where and how would you begin this task? 

Key Insight: This question offers insight into the candidate’s research skills. Ideally, they would begin by identifying the problem, interviewing stakeholders, gathering insights from the team, and researching what tools exist to best solve for the team’s challenges and goals. 

Have you ever recognized a potential problem and addressed it before it occurred? 

Key Insight: Prevention is often better than cure. The ability to recognize a problem before it occurs takes intuition and an understanding of business needs. 

Tell me about a time you used a unique problem-solving approach. 

Key Insight: Creativity can manifest in many ways, including original or novel ways to tackle a problem. Methods like the 10X approach and reverse brainstorming are a couple of unique approaches to problem solving.

The post 14 Interview Questions to Ask a Software Engineer appeared first on HackerRank Blog.

From the metaverse to self-driving cars, the software engineering field is producing more diverse and exciting innovations than ever before. In the coming decade, software engineers will build the systems and infrastructure that make new technological advancements possible.

But as the possibilities of software engineering have expanded, so have the skills necessary to succeed as a software engineer. Top software engineers will need to balance their skill sets between exciting new frameworks and traditional skills like system design and database management. 

#1. Programming

Software engineers use a range of programming languages to build applications. While there are a number of languages used in the field, an individual software engineer might only learn a few languages that align with their specialization, interests, and career path.

It would be impossible to list every language a software engineer might learn. No one knows exactly how many programming languages there are, but estimates range from 250 to 2,500. Instead, we’ve included the back-end programming languages that were the most popular in 2022.

Java

Often used for: mobile applications, cloud applications, video game development, IoT devices, web-based applications, big data, machine learning

Java is a high-level, object-oriented programming language used to create complete applications. The language is platform independent, allowing it to run on any device that supports its environment. 

This combination of performance and versatility made Java the most popular programming language with developers in 2021 and 2022. You can do just about anything with Java. (Well, almost anything.) 

Python

Often used for: web development, data analysis, data visualization, task automation, machine learning

Python is an interpreted, high-level, general-purpose programming language, and one of the most popular languages for rapid development.

There are a number of reasons behind Python’s popularity with developers and engineers. It’s easy to learn and usable on nearly every project. There’s also a range of powerful Python frameworks, including Django, Bottle, Web2Py, and PyScript. Python usage is also widespread, with companies including Intel, IBM, Netflix, and Meta using the language.

Go

Often used for: cloud development, back-end development, distributed networks, general development

Go is an object-oriented programming language that Google created in 2009 for networking and infrastructure. Over a decade after its launch, interest in Go has continued to grow, and it’s evolved into a general-purpose language. 

From 2018 to 2020, Go was the number one language developers wanted to learn. Companies such as Uber, Twitch, Dropbox, and yes, Google are using Go in their tech stack. In 2022, Go was the second fastest-growing language. 

C

Often used for: enterprise applications, operating systems, video game development, calculation-based applications, programming language development

C is a general-purpose, statically-typed, and compiled programming language. C is a foundational programming language that’s become known as the mother of all languages. Because C has contributed to so many other languages, engineers who learn C will acquire fundamental skills that transfer to any other language.

C++

Often used for: browser rendering, device operating systems, video game development, cloud systems, banking applications

C++ is a general purpose, compiled, and statically typed programming language. Known as “C with Classes,” C++ is an extension of C with the functionality of user-defined data classes. 

The high performance of C++ has made it the top language for use cases requiring fast rendering, including browsers, video games, banking applications, and motion design software.

C++’s ability to work closely with system hardware makes it a valuable skill for software engineers interested in hardware-oriented applications. C++ skills are also vital for maintaining existing applications and infrastructure. 

C#

What this language is used for: mobile development, desktop development, web development, enterprise applications, cloud services, video game development

C# is a general purpose, object-oriented, component-oriented programming language developed around 2000 by Microsoft. C# is based on the C family of languages, and has similarities to C, C++, Java, and JavaScript. 

An extension of C, C# adds on a number of features, including variable checking, type checking, bound checking, and garbage collection. Like other members of the C language family, C# is a popular and well-established language.

PHP

Often used for: web development, desktop app development

PHP is a widely-used open source and general-purpose scripting language that’s especially suited for web development.

PHP’s popularity is owed to the fact that it was one of the first server-side languages that developers could embed into HTML. It’s also fast, secure, versatile, and supported by a strong open source community. While PHP isn’t as popular as other general-purpose languages, its specialization gives it an advantage in web development over languages like Python.

Ruby

Often used for: web development, video game development, scientific computing, data processing, automation tools, data analysis

Ruby is an interpreted, dynamic, open-source programming language with a focus on simplicity and productivity. Ruby has a diverse range of use cases, including data-driven web apps, marketplaces, and desktop apps. 

Ruby is most known for Ruby on Rails (RoR), a framework optimized for productivity, efficiency, and DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself). Developers and engineers have gradually shifted away from Ruby over the past several years.

Scala

Often used for: mobile development, web development, big data systems, IoT development

Scala is a high-level, statically-typed programming language that combines object-oriented and functional programming. Its multi-paradigm approach to programming makes it ideal for a number of use cases, including big data, distributed systems, Android applications, and IoT devices. A major benefit for engineers is that Scala is interoperable with Java code and libraries.

#2. System Design

System design is the process of planning a back-end system, including its components, interfaces, and architecture. Software engineers use diagraming or whiteboarding to plan the system while considering factors such as caching and scalability. By their nature, system design problems involve solving broad, open-ended questions with a variety of possible answers. Engineering manager Vasanth Krishnamoorthy describes the open-ended nature of system design as “picking the right battles” while “managing trade-offs.”

#3. Database Management

Database management is the process of organizing, storing, and retrieving data on a computer system. Database skills are vital for software engineers because every application relies on the accessible storage of data.

Database skills can be divided into two different categories. The type of databases software engineers work with will vary depending on their specialization or the needs of a given project.

Relational databases use structured relationships to store information. Data scientists use the programming language SQL to create, access, and maintain relational databases. Relational database tools include SQL Server Management Studio, dbForge SQL Tools, Visual Studio Editor, ApexSQL.

Non-relational databases store data using a flexible, non-tabular format. Also known as NoSQL databases, non-relational databases can use other query languages and constructs to query data. Non-relational database tools include mongoDB, Cassandra, ElasticSearch, Amazon DynamoDB.

#4. Problem Solving

Software engineering has been described as problem-solving first, coding second. This makes the ability to think through and solve technical problems a key skill for software engineers. Solving problems entails understanding how a human solves a problem, translating this “algorithm” into something a computer can do, and writing the specific code to implement the solution.

#5. Technical Communication

Technical communication is used to make technical information clear, concise, and understandable. Throughout their careers, software engineers have to interface with non-technical stakeholders, and may need to train employees on how to operate websites they’ve built.

The post The 5 Most Important Software Engineering Skills in 2023 appeared first on HackerRank Blog.

In 2022, software engineer was the most in-demand role in the world. To effectively attract and hire software engineers, companies will need to craft job descriptions that sell candidates on the opportunity of the position. In this post, we break down how hiring managers and recruiters can write successful software engineer job descriptions.

What Does a Software Engineer Do?

Before writing a compelling job description, companies should have a clear understanding of software engineering and the core requirements of the role.

Software engineering is a branch of computer science that deals with the design, implementation, and maintenance of complex computer programs. Software engineers develop, design, and test software applications and apply engineering principles to the process of building software. 

A software engineer performs many of the tasks that a software developer does, but with a big-picture, design-centric approach. This distinction means that they’re focused on structure design and eliminating technical debt, in addition to writing great code.

On a more technical level, the core job responsibilities of software engineers include:

• Writing high-quality, maintainable, reusable code
• Collaborating with and demonstrating new features to stakeholders in an Agile environment
• Designing, developing, troubleshooting, and debugging software programs for enhancements and new products 
• Conducting routine concept design through the full development life cycle 
• Preparing and conducting systems programming tests

What Should a Job Description Include?

Company Value Proposition

Over the next decade, there will be an average of 189,200 openings for software engineers each year. With this level of demand for their skills, software engineers will have an endless array of opportunities to choose from. What will make your open roles stand out? The first section of a job description needs to address this question.

Communicating the opportunity of the role at hand – along with the employer brand, value proposition, and company culture – is essential to crafting a successful job description.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities section lists the core activities of the role. There are a number of different ways to represent these responsibilities, including daily tasks, monthly responsibilities, objectives of the role, and key outcomes. 

Common software engineering responsibilities include:

• System design
• Engineering
• Coding
• Planning
• Communication
• Collaboration

Basic Qualifications

The basic qualifications section has two main components.

First is the required degree level. A common qualification for software engineering roles is for the candidate to have either a BS/BA degree or equivalent experience. If the role is open to applicants from bootcamps and self-taught engineers, this is the section to communicate that.

Second is the required years of experience scaled to the seniority of the role. This requirement is communicated as either a range or a minimum requirement:

• Entry-level: 0-2 years
• Mid-level: 3-5 years
• Senior-level: 5+ years

Lastly, some companies will use this section to list experience with a minimum number of programming languages as a basic qualification.

Required Qualifications

The required qualifications section is one of the core sections of a job description. While basic qualifications focus on education and experience, this section gives employers the space to list the must-have technical competencies and soft skills required by the role. 

Common technologies found in this section include:

• C
• C#
• C+
• Go
• Java
• PHP
• Python
• Ruby
• Rust
• SQL
• MySQL
• NoSQL
• Oracle
• AWS
• Azure
• GCP

Common technical competencies found in this section include:

• Advanced knowledge of system design and infrastructure architecture disciplines
• Knowledge of cloud computing and infrastructure
• Experience working with machine learning and artificial intelligence
• Understanding of algorithms and data structures
• Understanding of relational databases
• Experience working in an agile environment
• Knowledge of industry-wide technology trends and best practices

Common soft skills found in this section include:

• Communication
• Technical communication
• Project management
• Time management
• Problem solving

Other Desired Skills & Nice-to-Haves

While not present in every job description, some companies will choose to mention additional skills that the company desires applicants to have but does not require for them to succeed in the role. Examples of nice-to-haves for a software engineering role would be DevOps skills or CI/CD experience.

Sample Job Description

Job descriptions for software engineering roles can vary widely, depending on the responsibilities, compensation, and seniority of the position. That said, there are commonalities between descriptions that companies can take advantage of.

Here’s an example of a job description for a mid-level software engineering role:

Title: Software Engineer II

Full-time. Associate.

Responsibilities

Engineering – Responsible for design, development, testing, deployment, and support of secure and scalable enterprise solutions.

Delivery – Agile delivery of solutions aligned to business needs while maintaining a high standard of quality. Participate in code reviews and troubleshooting of live site issues and bugs.

Collaboration – Partner with product owners to understand business and product requirements to translate them into engineering solutions.

Communication – Clearly communicate roadmap, backlog, and team updates across the organization.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Programming experience with at least two software programming languages.
• 3-5 years of experience in software development.
• BS/BA degree or equivalent experience.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on development experience with a combination of Java, Angular, Python, or React JS.
• 3+ years of hands-on SQL development experience.
• Advanced knowledge of application, data, and infrastructure architecture disciplines. 
• Knowledge of industry-wide technology trends and best practices.

Other Desired Skills

• Full-stack development experience.
• AWS frameworks and coding (Lambda, SNS, Cognito).
• DevOps/CI/CD tools experience.

Resources for Hiring Software Engineers

How to Hire Software Engineers: The Definitive Guide

What Does a Software Engineer Do? Requirements & Skill Expectations

7 System Design Interview Questions Every Software Engineer Should Know

The post How to Write a Software Engineering Job Description [Template] appeared first on HackerRank Blog.

Realizing the world’s most promising innovations will require a massive workforce of talented and skilled software engineers. But as the demand for software engineering talent grows, the number of available software engineers fails to keep pace.

Over the next decade, there will be an average of 189,200 openings for software engineers and developers each year. With this huge gap in supply of and demand for software engineering talent, companies of every size and industry are in a fierce competition to hire the best software engineering talent. 

In this post, we’ll break down the statistics, job requirements, and responsibilities of a career in software engineering.

Overview of the Duties of a Software Engineer

Software engineering is a branch of computer science that deals with the design, implementation, and maintenance of complex computer programs. Software engineers develop, design, and test software applications and apply engineering principles to the process of building software. 

A software engineer performs many of the tasks that a software developer does, but with a big-picture, design-centric approach. This distinction means that they’re focused on structure design and eliminating technical debt, in addition to writing great code.

On a more technical level, the core job responsibilities of software engineers include:

• Writing high-quality, maintainable, reusable code
• Collaborating with and demonstrating features developed to stakeholders in an Agile environment
• Designing, developing, troubleshooting, and debugging software programs for enhancements and new products 
• Conducting routine concept design through the full development life cycle 
• Preparing and conducting systems programming tests

What Kinds of Companies Hire Software Engineers?

Any company that’s building websites or applications will need to hire software engineers. The employers hiring the most engineers with this skill set are, perhaps unsurprisingly, the world’s largest technology companies, including Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, Google, and Oracle.

But it’s not just Silicon Valley and fledgling startups driving the demand for software engineering talent. Now, more than ever, all companies are becoming tech companies. The COVID-19 pandemic and our current work-from-anywhere era only accelerated this trend. 

Companies in every industry need technical talent to help them modernize and innovate their business practices. Finance, social media, aerospace, defense, consulting, retail, healthcare — the demand (and opportunity) for software engineering talent is near endless. 

And this sense of expansion is, well, expanding — and at a rapid clip. While we don’t have data on the growth rate of software engineers specifically, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does include this job role in its overall data for software developers. From 2020 to 2030, the number of employed software developers in the U.S. is projected to grow by 22 percent — almost triple the 8 percent average growth rate for all occupations.

Software Engineer vs. Software Developer

The discipline of software engineering shares a lot of similarities with software development — and some companies may even use the terms synonymously. Engineers and developers in these roles often work with similar back-end technologies. However, there are some fundamental differences that differentiate the training, experience, and responsibilities of a software engineer from a software developer.

Software developers are responsible for writing, managing, and maintaining software. They’re involved in the full lifecycle of developing software, including research, development, testing, and launch. In contrast, software engineers are responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of complex computer systems. Software engineers develop, design, and test software applications and apply engineering principles to the process of building software. 

A software engineer performs many of the tasks that a software developer does, but with a big-picture, system-centered approach. This distinction means that they’re focused on structural design and the elimination of technical debt, in addition to writing great code.

Types of Software Engineering Positions

The titles a software engineer may hold vary drastically, depending on their experience and the company or industry in which they work. The title of a graduate from a coding bootcamp might look different than a candidate with a bachelor’s degree. And the role of an engineer in a five-person startup will differ from one at a 5,000-person company. The expectations and responsibilities of the engineer also scale based on experience.

At the beginning of their career, a software engineer typically starts with an entry-level title like Software Engineer 1. A new engineer will spend a lot of time on testing and quality assurance while learning the internal systems. The tasks they are given are framed around execution of solutions, and they might work in a role with that focus for one to three years.

After gaining experience in an entry-level role, engineers will have the opportunity to move into mid-level roles. At this stage, the parameters of their work become more ambiguous. Instead of basic execution, they’re now responsible for solving technical problems with unknown solutions.

From there, they may have the opportunity to move into more senior-level roles with hands-on development and engineering responsibilities, such as senior software engineer, lead software engineer, and senior software architect. How long it takes to reach this level depends on the company and the skill level of the engineer. 

The key requirement to reach senior-level engineering roles is the ability to handle even more complex and ambiguous problems, with an understanding of their implications on the business. At this stage in their career, the work that senior engineers do becomes exceptionally valuable to the technical teams that hire them. 

While they spend several years honing their skills, their responsibilities expand to include taking more ownership of projects, working independently in a team environment, and mentoring project team members. Senior engineers might also start specializing in particular technologies, such as databases, cloud computing, information operations, or systems architecture.

With some experience under their belt, a software engineer often faces a crossroads in their career. The first path for experienced engineers is to pivot into people and team management functions, where hiring, mentoring, resource planning and allocation, strategy, and operations become a larger component of their role. At the higher levels of an organization, these titles include:

• IT Director
• Chief IT Architect
• Software Engineering Director
• VP of Engineering
• Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
• Chief Information Officer (CIO)

The other possible career path is to continue as an individual contributor, where they can develop deeper technical expertise in various technology languages and frameworks. A large number of engineers opt to stay in roles as individual contributors, and they enjoy equally fulfilling careers. 

The motivation behind this decision is that many experienced engineers aren’t necessarily interested in or qualified to be managing a team. And engineers in an individual contributor role have the opportunity to focus on growing their technical skills and learning emerging technologies.

Salary Comparisons and Job Outlook

On average, software engineers tend to receive a salary higher than the national average in their country of origin.

In the U.S., for example, the average salary in 2020 was $53,400. In contrast, the average base salary for software engineers in the U.S. is $117,993 — 121 percent higher than the national average.

Engineering salaries also vary depending on specialization, with in-demand competencies commanding a higher compensation. For example, the average salary for software engineers specializing in machine learning and data science is $129,000. In contrast, the average for those specializing in testing and quality assurance is $103,000.

Entry-level software engineers can expect to occupy a lower salary band, while more senior positions provide a higher average compensation. Software engineering salaries can vary widely based on a number of factors, including industry, location, and company size.

Software Engineering Requirements

Technical Skills

Software engineers use a range of programming languages to build applications. These often include:

• PHP
• Ruby
• Python
• Java
• .Net
• C
• C+
• C# 
• Rust
• Go

Out of the above languages, the most widely known are Java, C, and Python. Software engineers also use database tools such as SQL Server, Oracle, and MySQL to manage user data.

Recruiters and hiring managers looking for software engineers should also look for in-demand competencies beyond programming languages. These include PHP frameworks (Zend, Symfony), Ruby on Rails, Linux experience, cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure), and version control software (SVN, Git). 

Soft Skills

Technical competency alone isn’t enough to succeed in a software engineering role. Analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills are a must in any technical job. And in a digital-only or digital-first environment, soft skills are even more critical. 

Employers may put even more stock into engineers with strong soft skills, such as:

• Time management
• Communication
• Project management
• Creativity
• Problem solving

Experience

After skill competencies, the most important qualification for software engineers is experience. For some employers, on-the-job experience and training is a critical requirement.

Then, there’s the question of education. About 75 percent of developers worldwide have a bachelor’s degree or higher. If you’re recruiting, screening, or hiring engineers, there’s a high likelihood that many of them will have a degree. And many companies still require engineers to hold four-year degrees.

But companies looking to hire engineers should also be prepared to recognize other forms of education and experience. Competition for skilled software engineers is sky-high, and it’s not uncommon for job openings requiring a degree to go unfilled. But employers that prioritize real-world skills over pedigree gain access to a much larger pool of skilled talent.

Research has shown that 86.7 percent of developers have taught themselves a language, framework or tool outside of a classroom or course. And bootcamps and online training are popular ways to learn new technical skills.

It’s becoming increasingly more common for the best candidate for an open role to be one who has no higher education or on-the-job experience. Because of this, many of the world’s leading tech companies no longer require a 4-year degree. Employers that are willing to hire engineers from a diverse range of backgrounds will have a much easier time scaling their team and can diversify the perspective the team brings to the table, as research shows diversity of perspective is beneficial to the bottom line.

Resources for Becoming a Software Engineer

HackerRank for Developers

Software Engineering Questions to Know in 2022

Resources for Hiring Software Engineers

How to Screen Software Engineers

Developer Hiring Solutions

The post What Does a Software Engineer Do? Requirements & Skill Expectations appeared first on HackerRank Blog.

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   “barcode”: “74002423”,
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   “price”: 758,
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