In this context I'd say: writing a piece of software (programming) vs modifying an existing, large project in a clean and correct way (engineering). I can writ

In this context I'd say: writing a piece of software (programming) vs modifying an existing, large project in a clean and correct way (engineering). I can write a pretty good standalone tool to solve a problem, but throw me into an unfamiliar code base and ask me to make a significant change that meets all the necessary style/correctness criteria is a whole 'nother level, at least in an hour interview.