👉 Candidate engineering is a critical phase in software development where developers actively modify or create code to improve the performance, functionality, or maintainability of a software system. This process involves making targeted changes to existing codebases or implementing new features directly within the development cycle. Unlike automated code generation, candidate engineering is a hands-on approach that leverages developers' deep understanding of the system's architecture and requirements to address specific issues or enhance performance. It often includes refactoring, optimizing algorithms, integrating new technologies, or fixing bugs, all aimed at delivering a more robust and efficient software solution. This iterative and collaborative process is essential for adapting to evolving project needs and ensuring the software remains competitive and reliable.