Do Engineers in General (excluding Software Engineers) Hate to Code?

Engineers, especially those in fields like Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Civil Engineering, often find themselves involved in coding to solve various technical problems. This is because modern engineering is heavily reliant on computational tools to address complex tasks that are infeasible with manual calculations.

Why Engineers Write Code

Engineers solve problems, and code is a powerful tool in their arsenal. For instance, when facing a problem that involves complex calculations or large-scale data processing, engineers will develop custom software to derive numerical solutions. This software can be iterative and refined over time, eventually becoming useful enough for commercialization.

The Role of Engineers in Software Development

Engineers, particularly those with domain-specific knowledge, often play a crucial role in developing software. They bring to the table a deep understanding of the problems they are trying to solve, whereas computer scientists may lack the necessary domain expertise to formulate these problems into programming tasks. For example, developing a circuit analysis program requires a comprehensive understanding of electrical circuits and transformers, a knowledge that is not typically within the purview of computer scientists.

A Case Study

Consider an anecdote about an MSEE working for Netscape. Despite his advanced degree, he struggled to read and comprehend a simple circuit and its components. He was unable to write a circuit analysis program due to his limitations in handling circuit analysis. This points to the need for engineers with specific domain knowledge to tackle such tasks effectively.

Is There Really a Dislike for Coding Among Engineers?

While some engineers find coding challenging, especially in fields not directly related to software development or embedded systems, it is not a universal aversion. In fact, coding is an important skill across many engineering disciplines. Engineers today perform coding for data analysis, simulations, and other critical tasks. Many even find it engaging enough to pursue it as a significant hobby.

Other Engineering Challenges

Engineers, including those not primarily focused on coding, face numerous challenges in software development that extend beyond merely writing code. Issues such as software documentation, unit testing, scalability, and ensuring compatibility with older systems (like IE7) are significant concerns. These tasks, while crucial, can also be tedious and time-consuming.

Collaboration and Integration

Engineers often collaborate with software developers to integrate custom solutions into production systems. The process requires careful documentation, thorough testing, and addressing compatibility issues. While this adds complexity, it also enriches the engineering experience, making it more comprehensive and rewarding.

Conclusion

In summary, the perception that all engineers hate to code is an oversimplification. While coding can present challenges, it is an indispensable tool for addressing complex engineering problems. The importance of coding in the modern engineering landscape cannot be overstated, and many engineers find it a fascinating aspect of their work.

Engineers and software developers complement each other, and the ability to code is valuable across all engineering disciplines. Whether it's a custom circuit analysis program or a broader software solution, the integration of domain-specific knowledge and coding skills is crucial for engineering success.