By the early 1980s, software engineering had emerged as a popular profession in addition to computer science and traditional engineering.
The necessity for software engineering was strongly felt after the ''software crisis'' of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, which identified many problems of software development. Many software projects ran over budget and schedule. Some projects caused property damage, a few loss of life.
The job domains include programmers, hardware administrators, network specialists and system testers. Greater skills will be required of engineers as computer technology becomes more advanced.
There are two types of software engineers. Applications software engineers are engaged in analyzing user needs as well as designing, constructing, and maintaining computer applications software and specialized utility programs. Systems software engineers are involved in coordinating the construction of the computer systems of an organization, maintaining them and planning their future growth.
Over the next decade, this field is expected to grow rapidly. The increasing use of computers in all areas of daily life has made it necessary that new designs and new computer software systems be developed so that advancing technology can be applied to a growing range of applications.
According to an Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 edition brought out by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics software engineers are among the occupations projected to grow the fastest and add the most new jobs over the 2008-18 decade. Employment of computer software engineers is expected to increase by 32 per cent from 2008-2018. In addition, this occupation will see a large number of new jobs, with more than 295,000 created between 2008 and 2018.
Although computer software engineers and computer programmers can be found in a wide range of industries about 32 per cent were employed in computer systems design and related services. Many also worked for software publishers, manufacturers of computers and related electronic equipment, financial institutions and insurance providers. About 48,200 computer software engineers and computer programmers were self-employed in 2008.
The widening scope for software engineers can be traced to the following factors:
- As the use of the Internet, e-mail, and other communications systems increases, firms from electronics to engineering will expand, hiring more and more such engineers.
- Engineering firms specializing in building bridges and power plants, for example, also hire computer software engineers for designing and developing advanced data and drafting systems.
- The explosive growth of electronic commerce-doing business on the Internet-has resulted in rising demand for computer software engineers.
- Likewise, expanding electronic data-processing systems in business, telecommunications, healthcare, government, and other settings continue to become more sophisticated and complex. Growing numbers of systems software engineers will be needed to implement, safeguard, and update systems and resolve problems.
- As individuals and businesses rely more on hand-held computers and wireless networks, it will be necessary to integrate current computer systems with this new, more mobile technology.
- Also, information security concerns have given rise to new software needs. Concerns over ''cyber security'' should result in businesses and government continuing to invest heavily in security software that protects their networks and vital electronic infrastructure from attack.
