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Engineers precisely specify a problem and then build a solution that's correct to within a tolerance. I'm afraid I don't see the resemblance to programming.
by alextgordon 17y ago
Engineers precisely specify a problem and then build a solution that's correct to within a tolerance. I'm afraid I don't see the resemblance to programming.
- troystribling 17y agoA very precise definition of an engineer? Engineers build tools. Artists build amusements. Scientists build ideas. Programmer = Engineer.
- njharman 17y agoBy those definitions I'd consider Software Development as Sciartiginering. It's easier to say developer though.
- troystribling 17y agoI have done all three and the motivations and results of each are distinct. If you are Sciartiginering you are not building software. Maybe ASCII art?
- donaq 17y agoThat depends on the program, I suppose. Some programs require more engineering than others. I think you could make a very good argument for the programmers at Google being engineers.
- argv_empty 17y agoYou could describe programming that way too, though the "within a tolerance" would probably have to be about input coverage rather than output/behavior.