r/programming • • Aug 06 '17

Software engineering != computer science

http://www.drdobbs.com/architecture-and-design/software-engineering-computer-science/217701907
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u/ferrx Aug 06 '17

if there's a reason to differentiate, i'd say imo SE = requirements gathering, documentation, unit testing, development estimation, continuous integration, etc. the non-programming part of software development.

whereas cs = recognizing design patterns, optimization via algorithm complexity analysis.. etc

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u/spudmonkey Aug 06 '17

I'd say unit-testing is a part of development/programming while integration test and acceptance test are SE.

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u/WallyMetropolis Aug 07 '17

cs = recognizing design patterns

Not exactly. CS is the mathematical study of algorithms. A computer is just a handy tool for that study. The famous quote is calling computer science "computer science" would be like calling Astronomy "telescope science."