Professional

Practices
(Lecture 1-4)
Prepared by:
Madeeha Fatima

Why Computing
Question: Why do you want to graduate in
computing field?
Answer: Depends on your interest and what
a particular organization do.

Common things in every

organization
Apart from technical requirements three things
are common in every organization:

Communication Skills (most probably you

have studied in previous semester)
Team work (you will learn it by doing your final
project)
Business and Professional Environment (the
main reason to learn Professional Practices
course)

What is Computing?
Definition:

requiring, getting benefit from, creating

computers
Sub Fields:

Computer Sciences
Computer Engineering
Software Engineering
Information Systems
Information Technology

Computer Sciences

Definition

Computer science (CS) spans the range from theory through

programming to cutting-edge development of computing
solutions. CS falls into basically the following categories
designing and building software
developing effective ways to solve computing
problems, such as storing information in databases,
sending data over networks or providing new
approaches to security problems; and
Devising new and better ways of using computers and
addressing particular challenges in areas such as
robotics, computer vision etc.
Planning and managing organizational technology
infrastructure.

Computer Engineering

Definition:

Computer engineering (CE) students study the design

of digital hardware and software systems including
communications systems, computers and devices that
contain computers. For them, programming is focused
on digital devices and their interfaces with users and
other devices. An important area within computing
engineering is the development of embedded systems.
Devices such as cell phones, digital audio players,
digital video recorders, alarm systems, x-ray machines,
and laser surgical tools all require integration of
hardware and embedded software, and are all the
result of computer engineering.

Software Engineering
Software engineering (SE) is concerned with
developing and maintaining software systems
that behave reliably and efficiently, are
affordable to develop and maintain, and satisfy
all the requirements that customers have
defined for them. It is important because of the
impact of large, expensive software systems
and the role of software in safety-critical
applications. It integrates significant
mathematics, computer science and practices
whose origins are in engineering.

Information Systems
Information systems (IS) is concerned with the
information that computer systems can provide to
aid a company, non-profit or governmental
organization in defining and achieving its goals. It is
also concerned with the processes that an enterprise
can implement and improve using information
technology. IS professionals must understand both
technical and organizational factors, and must be
able to help an organization determine how
information and technology-enabled business
processes can provide a foundation for superior
organizational performance. They serve as a bridge
between the technical and management
communities within an organization

Information Technology
Focuses on computing infrastructure and
needs of individual users; tends to involve a
study of systems (perhaps just software
systems, but perhaps also systems in support
of learning, of information dissemination,
etc.).

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Profession
Terms:

Profession, Professional, Professionalism

carry a whole variety of meaning in context
of:

Simple meaning: (simply descriptive e.g. a

professional writer)
Commendatory meaning(e.g. a
professional piece of work)
Pejorative meaning: (a professional foul)

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Profession cont.
A profession differs country wise in terms of:
Legal and social status
Obligations and privileges

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What makes a profession

Definition:
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary defines
profession, in the sense in which we are
interested, as:

an employment not mechanical and

requiring some degree of learning; a calling,
habitual employment; the collective body of
persons engaged in any profession;

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What makes a profession

cont...
Our main focus is on the second part of the definition
collective body
What is a Collective Body?
The management or group of people related to specific
profession:

It controls entry to the profession;

It is self governing and self regulatory, in the sense that it

establishes and enforces a code of conduct on its
members;

It is established by statute (Act of Higher authorities like

government, parliament) which defines the extent of its
authority and requires it to undertake certain duties and
responsibilities.

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Fields which are accountable

for crime
Professions

which lies according to this

definition:
Medicine, Architecture, and Mechanical
Engineering etc.
Professions which do not lie according to
this definition:
Teaching

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Structure of the Engineering

Internationally

the structure of
engineering is two tier

First Level ( Engineering Institutes)

Second Level (Engineering Council)

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First Level

Engineering Institutes

Which are the chartered professional bodies,

each of which covers a single or several closely
related engineering discipline e.g. IEE, BCS, IME
etc..
Each institution has its own code of practice
and conduct.
IEE take software engineers for developing
programs for systems like safety critical.
BCS deals with the issues like legal protection of
software, data protection, law relating to misuse
of computer and safety critical systems.

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Second Level

Engineering Council:

a chartered body which recognizes certain

engineering institutions.
acts as an umbrella body and represents the
interests of the engineering profession as a whole.

Main function: maintain the register of qualified

engineers & technician (around 2,90,000 people are
registered already) through courses like Chartered
Engineer, Incorporated Engineer, Engineer
technician.

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A little History of Engineering

term
Before

18th century the term engineering

was only used for military engineers who
construct and repair war engines. Later in
18th century this term was started using for
other engineering professions.