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>> Does anyone really hold software developers to the same standards as licensed professions (laywers, accountants, doctors, professional engineers etc.)? I do

>> Does anyone really hold software developers to the same standards as licensed professions (laywers, accountants, doctors, professional engineers etc.)? I don't know. But if electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, and software engineer are all working to build a jet, it would seem reasonable to expect the same diligence from them all. >> I have to be careful never to refer to myself as a "professional" You're a professional if you make a living at it. "A professional is a person who is engaged in a certain activity, or occupation, for gain or compensation as means of livelihood; such as a permanent career, not as an amateur or pastime." UPDATE: BTW, licensing helps only if there's a reliable way to determine competence. Arguably, different areas of programming could be considered different fields of expertise. Licensing can also be harmful to a field. See http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/17/magazine/so-you-think-you-can-be-a-hair-braider.html?_r=2&ref=magazine&pagewanted=all http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/17/magazine/so-you-think-you-... If you had to get a software license to build a web site for your local soccer club, that would make it very hard to get started programming.

potatolicious 13y ago
There is a difference between the lay definition of "professional" and the legal or regulatory definition in some jurisdictions. In many contexts a "professional" occupation is one that is governed either by the government or a self-regulating body. Accountants, electricians, doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc.
- nathan_long 13y ago
  >> In many contexts a "professional" occupation is one that is governed either by the government or a self-regulating body. Accountants, electricians, doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc. True, but as I edited my comment to say, these bodies can be self-serving as easily as they can serve the public. People already working in a field can inflate their wages by making it harder to enter that field.
  - arethuza 13y ago
    I don't know about other fields but around here there is absolutely no shortage of qualified laywers.
arethuza 13y ago
That's one use of the term - in the UK (especially amongst people who are professionally qualified) the term often has a narrower meaning. This doesn't give me any problems! And I am NOT suggesting it is appropriate for general development (although it probably is in a very narrow range of domains - e.g. safety critical systems).

potatolicious 13y ago

There is a difference between the lay definition of "professional" and the legal or regulatory definition in some jurisdictions. In many contexts a "professional" occupation is one that is governed either by the government or a self-regulating body. Accountants, electricians, doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc.

nathan_long 13y ago
>> In many contexts a "professional" occupation is one that is governed either by the government or a self-regulating body. Accountants, electricians, doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc. True, but as I edited my comment to say, these bodies can be self-serving as easily as they can serve the public. People already working in a field can inflate their wages by making it harder to enter that field.
- arethuza 13y ago
  I don't know about other fields but around here there is absolutely no shortage of qualified laywers.

arethuza 13y ago

That's one use of the term - in the UK (especially amongst people who are professionally qualified) the term often has a narrower meaning. This doesn't give me any problems! And I am NOT suggesting it is appropriate for general development (although it probably is in a very narrow range of domains - e.g. safety critical systems).