4 ms·
I've had many artists explain to me that they are in fact engineers - there is much calculation, chemistry, optics and then some - but I'd say that programmers
by kerblang 4y ago
I've had many artists explain to me that they are in fact engineers - there is much calculation, chemistry, optics and then some - but I'd say that programmers are more like lawyers than engineers. Sorry, but it's symbolic work, not physical work. "Software Engineer" is just a title someone gives you and means no more than "Software Developer" or "Computer Programmer" ever did.
Of course lawyers and "real" engineers have to get professional certification that can be legally revoked; programmers and artists don't.
And the documentary Tim's Vermeer is pretty good.
- Apocryphon 4y agoGiven how much programming is gluing together APIs and pre-built SDKs and navigating around the artificial restrictions imposed by the creators of those, I'd say we're a lot like bureaucrats.
- rockemsockem 4y agoI don't know why so many people on HN think that all "real" engineers are required to get professionally certified by some professional cult society, but is is flatly false.
- aparks517 4y agoIn the United States, engineering drawings or reports submitted to local, state, or federal government agencies typically have to be stamped by a licensed professional engineer. You'll sometimes see similar requirements in private industry as well. Around here (and maybe in all of the United States?) you don't have to be a PE to call yourself an engineer, but I think in some countries you do. I personally reserve the expression "real engineer" for PE's who can stamp drawings and have the license and insurance to back it up. But, hey. What do I know? I'm probably overpaying by going to a "real" dentist.
- armadsen 4y agoThe vast majority of electrical engineers in the US are not PEs. I think they’re still engineers. Disclaimer: I’m an EE as well as a programmer.