Yes electrical engineers code and here is how…
many students ask if electrical engineers code and the response is yes. As an electrical engineer, you are required to learn to code especially some programming languages that we’re going to talk about in our article.
So keep reading to know in detail the coding aspects in electrical engineering.
Does electrical engineering involve coding?
Electrical engineering involves coding, especially in electronic engineering where engineers use some programming languages such as C, C++, and python to program microcontrollers and processors. Because almost all electrical machines have code embedded in them.
so we will discover the 7 principal programming languages that electrical engineers use frequently to code, and how they use them in their jobs.
1 – C
The earliest language that electrical engineers learn when they begin coding is the C language, the basis of electrical engineering programming. Every machine available and ever made incorporates C programming or makes use of some of its abilities.
C is a low-level language that works well to program a computer system, so it is known as a language that computers understand and analyze more quickly than other languages like java or python.
Electrical engineers often use C to program electronics equipment for different industries like:
- smartphones
- computers
- homes appliances, or devices such fridges, ACs, ovens, etc.
- if you think to become an electrical engineer, the first language you focus on and study hard is C
The C programming language isn’t complicated and doesn’t charge anything. Just you need to follow a lot
of available and free resources you can get access on the internet.
2 – C++
C is the second language you should learn after C, Based on the c language, you’ll typically find new functions such as object-oriented technology. This specific innovation allows software engineers to generate custom codes in less time and provide more storage space.
Oriented programming is a way of writing code that helps make sure your code is easy to read and understand. When you write code using an orientation, you are dividing it into smaller pieces that each does one specific thing. This makes it easier for someone else to look at your code and understand what it is doing, without having to know a lot about coding themselves.
Nowadays, electrical engineers use this language to code or program sophisticated electronic equipment., especially in robotics, where the use of this language is much more spread than in any other domain.
C+ is considered the most complicated programming language that you can find in the programming industry. It is still a low-level programming language which means a language that doesn’t have layers in between.
C++ has the shortest run time compared to other computer programming languages This is really important in the electrical engineering industry. For instance, if we take a drone plane:
if you have a drone that flies in an environment that is full of obstacles, you will need to have a fast algorithm run time. Because once the programs last some additional milliseconds the drone can smash to the ground or hit something.
For this reason, electrical engineers use C and C++, especially in these kinds of applications where time is crucial.
3 – python
Python is a programming language that is often used in electrical engineering. It is a very versatile language that can be used for a variety of tasks, such as creating graphical user interfaces or controlling devices. Python can also be used to create simple programs or scripts that can automate tasks.
Python is used in electrical engineering to create programs that control electrical devices. For example, a python program might be used to turn on a light switch or to control the speed of a motor.
C is easier and faster to execute than python, despite the fact that python is much more powerful. What makes python widely popular is its simple learning structure.
If you want to learn Python programming as an electrical engineer, you can use a Raspberry Pi computer. Which is a small computer that people use to learn how to code. You can also use it to control electrical devices like lights and motors.
here are some of the famous projects made by raspberry to replicate for electrical engineers beginners.
4 – PLC
PLC (programmable logic controller )is not considered 100% programing language but is still a language that is used hugely in manufacturing machines. In other words, most industrial machines run with this language.
the good thing about PLC is its simplicity and efficiency. In other words, it is stable and doesn’t create bugs or hung out. Because one programming issue can ruin 1 million dollar machines or even more.
So engineers have carefully designed this logic programming system to be efficient at the maximum and under harsh industrial conditions.
PLC is an easy language programming that doesn’t base also on scripts like C, C++, and python. But also has logic symbols or diagrams that facilitate programming.
you can watch this useful video below to know more about plc
5 – Matlab
Electrical engineers use Matlab to design new electrical products and to test how they work. They might use Matlab to figure out how to make a new light bulb that uses less energy, or to create a new kind of electric motor. Matlab can also help engineers predict how well a new product will work before they actually build it.
you can watch this video to know more about Matlab.
6 – LabVIEW
Labview is a program that electrical engineers use to create diagrams of how electricity will flow through a circuit. This helps them to design and test new circuits. Labview is like a map for electrical engineers, it shows them where everything goes and how it all works together.
It is a programming language that users utilize to create a responsive screen program, it is sort of like creating a program or system that people need to click buttons to operate.
An electrical engineer might use LabVIEW to create a program that controls the speed of a motor. They might also use it to create a graph that shows the voltage output of a battery over time. you can watch this video below for more inforamtions.
7 – Linux
Linux is also important and is considered the most famous and first popular operating system in the world. It is important for advanced embedded system projects and applications.
Linux is the top and high level that electrical engineers could learn after learning the previous programming languages that we talked about. It is used in advanced electrical projects like robotics and embedded systems.
you could watch this video below to know more about Linux in the electrical engineering industry.
Conclusion
if you want to learn electricla engineering coding from scratch we recommend reading this article.
