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This is why I always respond to questions about what I do with "software engineer". I've noticed people seem to perceive "engineering" as more serious than "pro

This is why I always respond to questions about what I do with "software engineer". I've noticed people seem to perceive "engineering" as more serious than "programming", and it helps to promote the idea that I build things to solve problems and don't just sit there turning designs into code.

BurningFrog 7y ago
I've found myself saying "I, uh, build software" lately. I guess because I don't like any of the established terms.
- wa1987 7y ago
  I tend to avoid the word "building" in the context of describing what I do. After all, the compiler does the building :-) "I design and develop software" is what I usually say. Would be nice if there was a word that captures the idea of someone both designing and constructing the internals of a machine.
  - RussianCow 7y ago
    I try to avoid the word "design" because most people immediately think of graphic design and get the wrong idea of what I do. Even though it's not as technically accurate, I think "building" or "engineering" are better words to use for people not familiar with software development.
patagonia 7y ago
From Wikipedia: Engineers, as practitioners of engineering, are people who invent, design, analyse, build, and test machines, systems, structures and materials to fulfill objectives and requirements while considering the limitations imposed by practicality, regulation, safety, and cost. If you’re doing that you’re an engineer. Hopefully we are all doing that.
- monocasa 7y ago
  Unless you're in certain states where engineer is a protected term.
  - patagonia 7y ago
    Exactly. I would welcome changes that would bring software engineering to a state where it was a protected term. If someone used that term I could have a high degree of certainty that they would abide by certain standards both professional and ethical. Such as “certain percentage of test coverage” and “certain big-O tolerance” for different project levels. Etc. otherwise I’d write the person off as a coder.
    - fredsir 7y ago
      Different places have different standards for engineers, and any other title. It doesn’t matter that you call yourself an engineer in any case. What matters in some cases are the standards you use; is it licensed by someone or something, or is it something else? That’s what you should be asking. What are the standards used? You can do engineering without following any official standard, and anyone who do engineering is of course an engineer, so yeah, the protected title thing is just meh.
  - ghaff 7y ago
    Engineer is not a "protected term" in any US state that I'm aware of. "Professional Engineer" has a specific licensed meaning but, if I have a degree in mechanical engineering I'm pretty sure I can call myself an engineer anywhere in the US without the licensing police coming after me. (Unless, of course, I imply that I'm licensed when I'm not.)
    - wbl 7y ago
      Not Texas iirc.
      - ghaff 7y ago
taneq 7y ago
It's funny, I've gone from "I'm a coder" -> "I'm a software developer" -> "I'm a software engineer" -> "I'm a developer" -> "I make useful things."

BurningFrog 7y ago

I've found myself saying "I, uh, build software" lately. I guess because I don't like any of the established terms.

wa1987 7y ago
I tend to avoid the word "building" in the context of describing what I do. After all, the compiler does the building :-) "I design and develop software" is what I usually say. Would be nice if there was a word that captures the idea of someone both designing and constructing the internals of a machine.
- RussianCow 7y ago
  I try to avoid the word "design" because most people immediately think of graphic design and get the wrong idea of what I do. Even though it's not as technically accurate, I think "building" or "engineering" are better words to use for people not familiar with software development.

patagonia 7y ago

From Wikipedia: Engineers, as practitioners of engineering, are people who invent, design, analyse, build, and test machines, systems, structures and materials to fulfill objectives and requirements while considering the limitations imposed by practicality, regulation, safety, and cost. If you’re doing that you’re an engineer. Hopefully we are all doing that.

monocasa 7y ago
Unless you're in certain states where engineer is a protected term.
- patagonia 7y ago
  Exactly. I would welcome changes that would bring software engineering to a state where it was a protected term. If someone used that term I could have a high degree of certainty that they would abide by certain standards both professional and ethical. Such as “certain percentage of test coverage” and “certain big-O tolerance” for different project levels. Etc. otherwise I’d write the person off as a coder.
  - fredsir 7y ago
    Different places have different standards for engineers, and any other title. It doesn’t matter that you call yourself an engineer in any case. What matters in some cases are the standards you use; is it licensed by someone or something, or is it something else? That’s what you should be asking. What are the standards used? You can do engineering without following any official standard, and anyone who do engineering is of course an engineer, so yeah, the protected title thing is just meh.
- ghaff 7y ago
  Engineer is not a "protected term" in any US state that I'm aware of. "Professional Engineer" has a specific licensed meaning but, if I have a degree in mechanical engineering I'm pretty sure I can call myself an engineer anywhere in the US without the licensing police coming after me. (Unless, of course, I imply that I'm licensed when I'm not.)
  - wbl 7y ago
    Not Texas iirc.
    - ghaff 7y ago

taneq 7y ago

It's funny, I've gone from "I'm a coder" -> "I'm a software developer" -> "I'm a software engineer" -> "I'm a developer" -> "I make useful things."