• Question: how do you make a soft ware in the computer

    Asked by 374heab47 to Billy, Louise, Naomi, Rachel, Urvashi on 15 Mar 2015.
    • Photo: Naomi Green

      Naomi Green answered on 15 Mar 2015:

      Hello 374heab47 🙂

      I hope you are enjoying the weekend. Software is basically a series of instructions for a computer to follow. This series of instructions is often called a program. Programs are written using a code, which is a language the computer understands. Programs rely upon the use of algorithms, which are a list of steps you give to computers to solve a problem or get something done. For example, imagine showing someone how to clean their teeth for the first time, you would need to explain each of the steps that need to be done in the right order. An algorithm for cleaning you teeth would be:

      1 Open the toothpaste
      2 Put a bit of toothpaste on the toothbrush
      3 Open your mouth
      4 Brush your teeth with the toothbrush for 2 minutes
      5 Rinse your mouth with water

      Only for a piece of software an algorithm might tell a computer what steps to take to when you click a button with your mouse, or how to save a document you have been writing. Being able to write code is a very important skill as we all use software every day on our computers or our smart phones. Software engineers create programs all the time but a lot of other engineers write programs as part of their work as well. I know I do.

    • Photo: Louise France

      Louise France answered on 16 Mar 2015:

      Hiya 374heab47 🙂

      Unlike Naomi, I actually do very little coding- the less, the better as its not my strongest skill. However, as I work in such a large multidisciplinary team, I can pass all of that work on to someone who specialises in computer coding and computer modelling. It’s amazing what you can do! I am in the process of publishing a paper with my colleagues that shows that we can use a computer model to calculate how much bone marrow there is in any piece of bone just by looking at a high resolution x-ray! I would have no idea how to do this by myself, but thankfully all sorts of engineers work together. So even if you want to be a software engineer you can always swap into the medical, mechanical, design engineering fields at a later date!

      I know that doesnt answer the question-but I hope it shows you what you can do with the coding!

      🙂

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