Historically speaking, this is completely correct: before there were compilers, a "programmer" was someone who did what is now done by compilers. The actual sof

Historically speaking, this is completely correct: before there were compilers, a "programmer" was someone who did what is now done by compilers. The actual software was designed by engineers. (Earlier than that, even, a programmer was someone who physically toggled the switches to input programs written by engineers into a computer.) The only reason there are any jobs left in this category is that there are companies who still believe (incorrectly) that we should have "programmers" doing the mechanical task of translating UML diagrams drawn by "architects" into code. I am glad to see this category shrinking (in favour of the software development/engineering categories) - because everybody in this industry deserves to have the creative value of their work recognised - and I hope to see it approach zero in the near future. http://www.zerobanana.com/essays/reclaiming-software-engineering/ http://www.zerobanana.com/essays/reclaiming-software-enginee...