> memory safety might be the difference between the software engineering and Software Engineering. As in, an actual Engineering discipline. I wouldn't go that

> memory safety might be the difference between the software engineering and Software Engineering. As in, an actual Engineering discipline. I wouldn't go that far, what matters is the finished whole. Memory safety of the finished program is a critical factor and using a memory safe language makes it easier to achieve that goal. However simply using a memory safe language doesn't make you a "Software Engineer" any more than using a certified I-beam makes someone a "Civil Engineer". What matters is that the finished structure/program meets the explicit and implicit requirements of safety, functionality, durability, cost, etc. Not to mention that complex reliable systems are usually engineered out of much less reliable components.