Is a Learning to Program Really Helpful for an Electrical Engineer?
The question of whether electrical engineers need to learn programming often arises, especially for those who may not see themselves as tech-savvy. Understanding programming can offer profound benefits, allowing engineers to stand out in their field and tackle complex projects more effectively. This article will explore the necessity and practical applications of learning programming skills for electrical engineers.
Programming for Electrical Engineers
For an electrical engineer, understanding programming is not a requirement, but a valuable tool that can significantly enhance career prospects and project outcomes. While not all electrical engineers need to code, those who do stand to achieve greater success.
Why Learn Programming?
Programming skills can help electrical engineers transform theoretical knowledge into practical applications, leading to innovative solutions in both hardware and software. For instance, MATLAB and Power System Simulation are invaluable for analyzing electrical systems and simulating scenarios. Additionally, Excel is a must-have for data analysis and basic automation tasks.
Proteus is a powerful design suite used for PCB layout and simulation, making it indispensable for hardware design. Arduino opens the door to embedded systems and microcontroller programming, essential for developing smart devices and IoT applications. Some individuals may need to design PCBs and circuits, in which case knowing how to use Kicad can be extremely beneficial. For those working with microcontrollers such as Arduino, a basic understanding of C/C is sufficient. More advanced programming, such as bare AVR or PIC microcontrollers, requires a deeper fluency in C/C or even knowledge of assembly language.
For Designing PCBs and Circuits
While programming may not be a primary focus, the ability to use computer-aided design (CAD) software like Kicad can be incredibly helpful. Kicad is a popular and free PCB design software that can be mastered with minimal instruction on how to use the program effectively. It is particularly useful for those who want to design and prototype circuits.
Programming for Microcontrollers
A basic understanding of programming, particularly in C/C , is crucial for working with microcontrollers like Arduino. This knowledge can extend to more complex tasks such as bare AVR or PIC microcontrollers, which would require a more in-depth understanding of C/C or assembly language. Assembly language knowledge is particularly beneficial for specific types of PIC microcontrollers but kept in mind that the instructions vary between different PIC models.
Trends in Industry
To stay competitive in the job market, it is important for electrical engineers to be aware of the languages used by leading companies in the control and HVAC industries. Familiarity with these languages can enhance job prospects. For example, companies like Siemens, Schneider Electric, and Honeywell often use languages that are specific to their control systems. While it doesn't require expertise, a good familiarity with these languages can set engineers apart.
Educational Requirements
While high school students do not necessarily need to learn programming, electrical engineering students should consider taking at least one course in numerical analysis and programming. Programming is increasingly becoming a fundamental part of the electrical engineering curriculum. As the field of electrical engineering is broad, students may need to learn different programming languages as their career progresses.
Historical Context
Historically, electrical engineers used languages like FORTRAN, which was known for its complex matrix capabilities, mainly for power system calculations. The 1987 era saw FORTRAN being used extensively to calculate voltage and currents in nodes of an electricity distribution system. However, in today's digital age, most engineers prefer using modern math packages like Matlab for similar tasks. These tools offer more intuitive and powerful features compared to older programming languages.
In conclusion, while not all electrical engineers need to be proficient programmers, having a foundational understanding of programming skills can provide a significant advantage in both career development and project execution. Whether it's using MATLAB for simulations, mastering Arduino for embedded systems, or simply understanding the basics of C/C , these skills can open up new frontiers in electrical engineering and contribute to more innovative and efficient designs.