More specific questions can be readily answered - is software engineering as demanding of perfect execution as other engineering disciplines? are software engin

More specific questions can be readily answered - is software engineering as demanding of perfect execution as other engineering disciplines? are software engineering projects completed on time more/less relative to other disciplines? does software engineering require formal certification to practice? does it have a component of skill in that people who put in more time or have more aptitude do better than others? is it more critical or less critical to But the "are we really engineers" question, like many others about definitions is destined to go in circles IMHO. Most important quote from the post: > It’s a standard Wittgenstein game problem: human constructs do not neatly fall into precise definitions. The actual debate seems to be around social status.. are software engineers as high up the social status ladder as "real" engineers? I don't know/care. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes :D If software engineering stays a sufficiently selective, high-paying, important field for long enough, it will gain the prestige to be considered "real" engineering. Otherwise it will not. I think it will become both - more bifurcation. The top salaries & status will be reserved for 1/10th of the engineers. A lot of the bottom will become lower paid and more automated, closer to technical support.