15. Further Study

You should be filled with great pride to have reached the culminating chapter of this book. However, you should also recognize that in doing so, you have not reached the end of your journey into the ever-expanding universe of computer science, but rather simply the end of the beginning. By reading this book, you have been introduced to many of the fundamental ideas and theories surrounding computer science and software engineering. However, it is imperative to understand that, though the core concepts have not changed in decades, software engineering is a rapidly evolving industry. New languages, frameworks, and conglomerations of paradigms and tools are being continually synthesized all the time. To be a successful software engineer, you must strive to keep up with these changes. Some of the most productive engineers are successful because they are chronic autodidacts or self-learners. In this final chapter, you will be introduced to several areas of specialty in software engineering that you can explore further on your own to deepen your understanding.