Those Were The Days?! A Humorous Reflection on the Evolution of Software Engineering

Biology insists — and common sense says — that I've started to become that old fogey I used to laugh at in my younger days.

...THIRD YORKSHIREMAN:
Well, of course, we had it tough. We used to 'ave to get up out of shoebox at twelve o'clock at night and lick road clean wit' tongue. We had two bits of cold gravel, worked twenty-four hours a day at mill for sixpence every four years, and when we got home our Dad would slice us in two wit' bread knife.

Data Flow Diagrams for Software Engineering

Have you ever wondered how data flows within a software system? How is information processed and transformed, and how does it deliver value? Data Flow Diagrams (DFDs) are a "visual language" that may answer such questions. An important tool for understanding how data moves in a software system, DFDs provide a visual representation of the flow of data from its entry point to its final destination and highlight data transformations along the way. 

Whether you're a tester, a seasoned developer, a budding programmer, or a stakeholder involved in system design and architecture, understanding DFDs unlocks a valuable skillset. This article provides fundamental knowledge about DFDs, highlighting their benefits and guiding you on how to leverage them effectively.

Fuzzing in Software Engineering

Fuzzing, also known as fuzz testing, is an automated software testing technique that involves providing invalid, unexpected, or random data (fuzz) as inputs to a computer program. The goal is to find coding errors, bugs, security vulnerabilities, and loopholes that can be exploited. This article starts by explaining some basic types of fuzzing. The "testing the lock" metaphor is then used to explain the nuts and bolts of this technique. A list of available tools is given and a set of best practices are explored for fuzzing to be conducted ethically, effectively, and safely.

Types of Fuzzing

Fuzzing, as a versatile software testing technique, can be categorized into several types based on the methodology and the level of knowledge about the software being tested. Each type of fuzzing has its unique approach and is suitable for different testing scenarios.

Software Engineering in the Age of Climate Change: A Testing Perspective

As the global community grapples with the urgent challenges of climate change, the role of technology and software becomes increasingly pivotal in the quest for sustainability. There exist optimization approaches at multiple levels that can help:

  • Algorithmic efficiency: Algorithms that require fewer computations and resources can reduce energy consumption. A classic example here is optimized sorting algorithms in data processing.
  • Cloud efficiency: Cloud services are energy-efficient alternatives to on-premises data centers. Migrating to cloud platforms that utilize renewable energy sources can significantly reduce the carbon footprint.
  • Code optimization: Well-optimized code requires less processing power, reducing energy demand. Code reviews focusing on efficient logic, unit testing, and integration testing can lead to cleaner, greener software.
  • Energy-aware architectural design: Energy-efficient design principles can be incorporated into software architecture. Ensuring, for example, that software hibernates when inactive or scales resources dynamically can save energy. Distributed, decentralized, and centralized options like choreography and orchestration can be evaluated.
  • Renewable energy: Data centers and computing facilities can be powered with renewable energy sources to minimize reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate emissions.
  • Green Software Standards: Industry standards and certifications for green software design can drive developers to create energy-efficient solutions.

In this article, we will focus on code optimization via software testing. Software testing, a fundamental component of software development, can play a significant role in mitigating the environmental impact of technology. We explore the intersection of software testing and climate change, highlighting how testing can contribute to a more sustainable technological landscape. We begin by summarizing the role of software in the energy footprint of a number of industries. We then explore basic types of software testing that can be applied, giving specific examples. These types are by no means exhaustive. Other types of testing may well be used according to the energy optimization scenario.

Getting Ready for Interviews in Software Engineering

Prerequisite

Begin by selecting a programming language that you feel comfortable with and that you will use for your interviews. It can be any language, such as Java or Python, as long as you have a solid understanding and knowledge of it.

Data Structures and Algorithms

Acquiring a thorough understanding of popular data structures and algorithms is crucial. I recommend picking up a book like “Data Structures and Algorithms in Java” by Robert Lafore and mastering the fundamentals of data structures and algorithms. Although interviewers may not frequently ask you to implement them, practicing and comprehending their runtime and space complexities is essential.

Artificial Intelligence Vs Software Engineering: What Is the Difference?

Artificial Intelligence vs. Software Engineering

While Artificial intelligence (AI) and Software Engineering are two major branches of computer sciences, experts and professionals have consistently acknowledged their differences and the roles they both play in the advancements of computer efficiency generally. However, while there are differences between the two fields, people have difficulty telling where they differ. Therefore, this blog will outline the differences between AI and Software Engineering to help you know the varying metrics. 

Difference Between Software Engineering and Artificial Intelligence

Definitions and Expected Outcomes

The biggest difference between software engineering and Artificial intelligence is their outcomes and the tasks they set out to achieve.

Common Anti-Patterns in Go

It has been widely acknowledged that coding is an art, and like every artisan who crafts wonderful art and is proud of them, we as developers are also really proud of the code we write. In order to achieve the best results, artists constantly keep searching for ways and tools to improve their craft. Similarly, we as developers keep leveling up our skills and remain curious to know the answer to the single most important question — 'How to write good code.'

Frederick P. Brooks in his book 'The Mythical Man Month: Essays on Software Engineering' wrote:

Improving Code Readability

Readable code is usable code.


The world’s greatest chefs never put anything on the plate that will never be eaten, this rule corresponds to the YAGNI principle in Software Engineering. The non-used code blocks saved for future use are sometimes forgotten and another developer could not be in want of changing the code of the legacy system. Such non-used code blocks may affect code readability in the future. We are lucky today many code review tools exist for coding mistakes etc., but using tools is not enough to help code readability.

Spiral Model in Software Engineering

Spiral Model

The spiral model is a combination of waterfall and iterative development process with emphasizing on more risk analysis. Risk is essentially any adverse circumstance that might hamper the successful completion of a software project. For example, the risk involved in accessing data from a remote database can be that the data access rate might be too slow. The risk can be resolved by building a prototype of the data access subsystem. Thus, this model provides direct support for coping with the project risks.

Spiral Model in Software Engineering

It has planning, risk analysis, engineering and evaluation phase. Each phase in the spiral model begins with a design goal and ends with the client reviewing the progress. The development team in Spiral-SDLC model starts with a small set of requirements and goes through each development phase for those set of requirements. The development team adds functionality for the additional requirement in every-increasing spirals until the application is ready for the production phase.

Lean Software Development: Eliminating Waste in Software Engineering

According to the latest estimates, seventeen percent of organizations adopt Lean. This framework remains one of the five most widely used Agile frameworks. The application of Lean principles to software development was initially introduced by Mary and Tom Poppendieck in their book Lean Software Development: An Agile Toolkit. It includes the 7 basic principles:

  • Eliminate waste
  • Amplify learning and create knowledge
  • Decide as late as possible
  • Deliver as fast as possible
  • Empower the team
  • Build integrity/quality in
  • See the whole