MALIK UMER BLOG

When it comes to safety-critical software—whether in aircraft avionics, medical devices, nuclear control systems, or automotive braking—failure isn’t just an inconvenience; it can be catastrophic. That’s why safety-critical software engineers don’t just focus on functionality—they focus on fault detection, error prevention, and fail-safe design . Over decades of practice and research, engineers have developed a range of techniques to make sure that when something goes wrong, it is either detected, mitigated, or rendered harmless . Below are some of the most widely used safety-related implementation techniques that help ensure such software performs reliably under all conditions. 1. Checksums and Cyclic Redundancy Checks (CRC) Data corruption during transmission or storage can cause unpredictable behavior in safety-critical systems. To guard against this, developers use checksums and CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Checks) to verify the integrity of data. A checksum works by computing a ...

In the world of safety-critical software—where even a single undetected bug can have catastrophic consequences— trust is not assumed; it’s engineered . From avionics flight control systems to medical devices and autonomous vehicles, ensuring software reliability demands not only disciplined development practices but also a rigorous, certifiable toolchain. This is where a DO-178C / DO-330 qualified tool suite becomes essential, serving as the foundation for both compliance and confidence in safety-critical software development. Understanding DO-178C and DO-330 DO-178C , titled “Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification” , is the cornerstone standard governing the development of airborne software. It defines the objectives, processes, and evidence required to achieve certification from aviation authorities like the FAA or EASA. Complementing it is DO-330 , the “Software Tool Qualification Considerations” standard, which defines how tools used in the d...

Choosing the right university for your software development journey can feel as complex as debugging a 1,000-line program. With so many options, rankings, and promises, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But don’t worry — this guide will walk you through how to pick the best-fit university for you, based on what truly matters in the world of technology and education. Step 1: Define What “Best” Means for You Before you chase rankings, pause and think about your goals . Do you want to become a software engineer in big tech? A researcher in AI or cybersecurity? Or a tech entrepreneur launching your own startup? Different universities excel in different areas. For example, some emphasize theoretical computer science , while others focus on hands-on software engineering , innovation , or industry partnerships . Tip: List your top 3 career goals — then look for universities that align with them. Step 2: Check the Curriculum and Specializations A good curriculum goes beyond ju...

College is not just about earning a degree — it’s about laying the foundation for your future career. If you aim to become a software developer, the years you spend in college can be a golden opportunity to build technical expertise, practical experience, and professional connections that will set you apart in the industry. Here’s how you can make the most of your college time to prepare for a successful software development career. 1. Build a Strong Foundation in Computer Science While it’s tempting to jump directly into frameworks or trendy tools, a deep understanding of fundamentals will pay off throughout your career. Focus on: Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA): Master them through practice; they sharpen problem-solving skills and are key for technical interviews. Core Subjects: Operating systems, databases, computer networks, and software engineering principles. Programming Languages: Become fluent in at least one general-purpose language (like Python, Java, or...

Detecting AI-generated content is becoming increasingly important as AI tools are widely used for content creation. While AI can generate high-quality content, distinguishing it from human-created work is crucial for maintaining authenticity, academic integrity, and transparency. Here's how AI can be used to detect AI-generated content:

The hardware behind powerful AI applications plays a crucial role in enabling the sophisticated computations and massive data processing required for these technologies. As AI models, particularly large language models (LLMs) and deep learning systems, have grown in complexity, the demand for specialized hardware has increased. Here’s an overview of the key hardware components and architectures driving powerful AI applications:

Finding your career sweet spot is a lot like finding the perfect cup of coffee, it takes some experimenting, a bit of patience, and a willingness to figure out what really works for you. It’s that magical place where what you’re good at, what you love, and what the world needs all overlap. When you’re in it, work stops feeling like a grind and starts feeling more like an extension of who you are. But getting there isn’t always straightforward, so let’s break it down into a journey you can actually follow.

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword reserved for tech experts and researchers. It’s a transformative force reshaping industries, professions, and everyday life. Whether you’re a student, entrepreneur, marketer, educator, or simply a curious learner, mastering certain AI tools can significantly enhance your productivity, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Here are some of the top AI tools that everyone should consider learning and using in modern times.

From composing music and generating poetry to designing buildings and creating digital art, Artificial Intelligence is now dabbling in the once-exclusive domain of human creativity. But this raises a profound question: Can robots—or AI—ever be truly creative, like humans? Or are they just mimicking patterns? In this blog, we’ll explore the evolving relationship between AI and creativity , how AI creates, what it lacks, and whether it can ever match the depth and originality of the human mind. What is Creativity, Really? Before diving into comparisons, it’s important to first understand what creativity truly means. Creativity is often defined as the ability to generate ideas that are original, novel, and valuable. It’s not just about thinking outside the box-it’s a dynamic blend of imagination, emotion, intuition, and lived experience. Unlike purely logical processes, human creativity is deeply emotional and subjective. It is shaped by a wide range of personal influences, including ...

From industrial assembly lines to Mars rovers and surgical assistants, robots have become an integral part of the modern world. But what powers these marvels of engineering? Behind every smooth movement and intelligent decision lies a combination of cutting-edge technologies that work in harmony to make robots smart, responsive, and capable. In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into the core technologies behind robotics ,  how they function, how they interact, and why they are transforming every corner of our lives. 1. The Brain of the Robot: Artificial Intelligence (AI) At the core of many modern robots lies Artificial Intelligence (AI), a transformative technology that empowers machines to perform complex tasks with human-like intelligence. AI enables robots to recognize objects, such as people, obstacles, or tools, understand spoken language or commands, and make decisions in real time based on their environment. These capabilities have made robots significantly more ad...

When you walk into a job interview, you’re not just being evaluated, you’re also evaluating the company. One of the most important things to assess is the company culture, how people behave, work together, and make decisions. While many guides suggest asking questions to uncover this, there's another powerful tool: observation. You can learn a lot about a company’s environment just by paying attention to what’s happening around you. Here's how to do it effectively.