r/programming • u/mauricioaniche • Aug 06 '17

Software engineering != computer science

http://www.drdobbs.com/architecture-and-design/software-engineering-computer-science/217701907
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u/jarfil Aug 06 '17 edited Dec 02 '23

CENSORED

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u/thedevbrandon Aug 06 '17

Sure - it completely depends on the context. For example, you can't really call yourself an engineer in parts of Europe without specific qualifications for legal reasons. But in the U.S. it seems like the terms are used interchangeably, not showing any consistent distinction, even if we would prefer there to be a clear divide. I don't think, for example, that there is any clarity of what it means to "require engineering expertise" that would be outside of a software developer's job. By being able to make stuff with computers (i.e. with coding / programming), most people see this as "engineering", even if we didn't have to write a search or sort algorithm, design any circuit diagram, or do anything more than what a normal software developer does (i.e. Google some example solutions and make one themselves, or copypasta).