What Should Every Software Engineer Know That Most Don’t?

There's actually no such thing as a licensed programmer like you might see in law. Instead, many programmers get certifications. As for knowledge, it's crucial to understand basic theories like threading, hashing, and design patterns, along with data structures. After that, the languages you use are mostly just syntax. So, focus on those foundational concepts!

You really don't need a license to code! Just use the right tools, like a dictionary or hashset instead of nested loops to optimize your work. Self-taught programmers like me often find creative solutions without formal licensing!

You know, if programming required licensing, it could really complicate things for many folks in the field. One important concept to understand is character encoding—it can trip you up in unexpected ways, so knowing a bit about it is super useful. Joel Spolsky has a great blog on it if you're interested!

Regarding your question, a few critical things that every software engineer should know include:
1. Security and application hardening
2. Version control with Git
3. Runtime complexity
4. Code review techniques
5. Design patterns, which help structure code for readability. Oh, and don’t forget about unit testing and continuous integration!

The title of 'Software Engineer' is pretty loose in our industry. Unlike some professions that require certifications, programming often doesn't have that barrier. What matters most is understanding your users and ensuring your work makes their lives easier.