Technology is the collective term for any systems, practices, techniques, procedures, and methods used in the creation of products or services and in their successful performance, including scientific experimentation. Technological change has significantly altered how people live and work. The ability to use technology in order to realize our goals has increased tremendously through new technologies that have come into existence over the past few decades. One example of such a technological change is the development of computer software.
Computers and the associated technology they support are a form of engineering. Engineers design, build, test, analyze, and maintain the various components of modern day computers. There are many types of these systems that include personal computers, spreadsheets, desktop publishing programs, word processing applications, database management systems, network operating systems, and the majority of the currently available commercial software. Software engineers also play a key role in the design and production of software. The two most common areas in which software engineering is found are computer systems design and software development.
Computer systems design is the process of coming up with a blueprint of an aspect of a computer system. Systems designers are responsible for the overall functionality and the standard of performance expected of a given computer system. In a similar fashion, software developers are responsible for the creation of code that will be used to configure a program or piece of software for a specific computer application. Software engineers also play a role in testing newly developed software by obtaining feedback from end-users, testing a new system’s compatibility with operating systems, and evaluating the design of a new system.
When referring to “technologies”, this term can mean several different things. For instance, it could refer to new technological discoveries or actual technological innovations. It could also refer to existing technologies that are undergoing revolutionary changes. Today, some technology is considered a technology because it has become part of everyday life. Examples of these include cell phones, cars, microwaves, airplanes, information on the Internet, television sets, and even bottled water.
On the other hand, software development deals more with the design of software than the creation of new technologies. This field requires programmers to come up with programs and applications that will make an organization’s work easier or more efficient. A software developer’s job may be as mundane as programming the source code of a computer program or as exciting as creating a revolutionary application. Regardless of how their job is defined, though, software developers must ensure that the software they develop is efficient, safe, and meets the needs of the company. This is where software development companies come into play.
Technological changes are inevitable throughout our society. As such, software development companies must adapt to any changes in computer code and to the changing needs of their clientele. They must be versatile enough to deal with the ever-changing market for software and must employ the latest tools and techniques to get the job done.