Building Software the Right Way
07 May 2026More Than Just Code
Before this class, I thought software engineering was mostly about writing code and getting an app to work. Since the class used tools for making web applications, it would be easy to think the whole class was just about building websites. But I learned that web development was really just the setting. The bigger lesson was learning how real software projects are built with other people. Two ideas that stood out to me were open source software development and coding standards because these two ideas are very intertwined and also because these are two ideas that I experienced a lot while working on my final project with my group.
Open source software development means working on software where the code is shared openly so other people can view it, use it, and sometimes help improve it. Open source projects can be anything. It can be apps, games, operating systems, and literally anything that has to do with coding. But when a lot of people can work on the same project, the code needs to be clear and organized. That is where coding standards come in. Coding standards are rules or guidelines for how code should be written. They help make sure the code is easier for everyone to read and understand.
In a real job, especially one where people have to work together, there needs to be a shared way of doing things. Coding standards are kind of like communication standards in the workplace. For example, a team might need clear rules for how to name files, organize shared documents, or even just for writing emails. Open source development also connects to the real world because it shows the importance of being open to feedback and letting other people improve the work. Whether I am working on code or a job task, collaboration works better when people can understand each other’s work and follow the same expectations.
This class taught me that software engineering is not just about making something that works. Its about making something that other people can read, use, improve, and trust. Open source software development showed me how important collaboration is, and coding standards showed me how much easier collaboration becomes when everyone follows a clear structure. These lessons go beyond programming. They are really about working with others in a clear, organized, and professional way.