I have a degree in systems programming (BSc). So at least some people thought of systems programming as consisting of: * Lots of pretty low level programming.

I have a degree in systems programming (BSc). So at least some people thought of systems programming as consisting of: * Lots of pretty low level programming. OS level stuff and raw network programming. * Low level database and data storage skills in all levels. Programming, database internals like optimizers and storage engines. * All aspects of networking; TCP/IP, other protocols, physical level, routing protocols and lots of socket level programming in Unix. * Operating system internals.