4 ms·

What inherent differences between an engineer and a programmer?

5 points by michaelscaria 13y ago

a3voices 13y ago
Engineers usually have a college degree in engineering.
ekm2 13y ago
Engineers know and use more math?
- CyberFonic 13y ago
  Generally yes. The IEEE SWEBOK is a good reference for the many skills that are required to be a competent software engineer.
  - kapilkaisare 13y ago
    IEEE SWEBOK: http://www.computer.org/portal/web/swebok http://www.computer.org/portal/web/swebok
EllaMentry 13y ago
In many countries Engineer is a protected title, that should not be used unless the person has formal qualifications and experience in a certain field http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulation_and_licensure_in_engineering http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulation_and_licensure_in_eng....
ghostdiver 13y ago
Engineers don't write code, they build bridges, aircrafts, highways, spaceships etc.
- CyberFonic 13y ago
  I think in this question it should be read as "software engineer".
  - ghostdiver 13y ago
    I read the question as it is, "engineer", there is no "software", only "engineer".
CyberFonic 13y ago
Unfortunately the terms "software engineer" and "programmer" are often used interchangeably. There are many degree courses that lead to the qualifications in software engineering. However, it is possible to be self taught. The only problem being that many programmers don't know what they don't know and that can lead to problems if more experienced (and knowledgable) people are not available to address gaps in knowledge and skill. I prefer to think that software used in critical applications, e.g. avionics in new airplanes, are produced by software engineers having undergone rigorous education and experience.
- ctb_mg 13y ago
  I work for a shop that develops and tests embedded software in various avionics equipment. We use "Software Engineer" as our title. Previously I was a front and back end web developer for a startup-ish (200 employees trying very hard to be google) company. We used "Web Developer" as the title there.
michaelscaria 13y ago
Let me rephrase, what are the inherent differences in mannerisms between an non-software engineer and a programmer?

5 points by michaelscaria 13y ago

a3voices 13y ago

Engineers usually have a college degree in engineering.

ekm2 13y ago

Engineers know and use more math?

CyberFonic 13y ago
Generally yes. The IEEE SWEBOK is a good reference for the many skills that are required to be a competent software engineer.
- kapilkaisare 13y ago
  IEEE SWEBOK: http://www.computer.org/portal/web/swebok http://www.computer.org/portal/web/swebok

EllaMentry 13y ago

In many countries Engineer is a protected title, that should not be used unless the person has formal qualifications and experience in a certain field http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulation_and_licensure_in_engineering http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulation_and_licensure_in_eng....

ghostdiver 13y ago

Engineers don't write code, they build bridges, aircrafts, highways, spaceships etc.

CyberFonic 13y ago
I think in this question it should be read as "software engineer".
- ghostdiver 13y ago
  I read the question as it is, "engineer", there is no "software", only "engineer".

CyberFonic 13y ago

Unfortunately the terms "software engineer" and "programmer" are often used interchangeably. There are many degree courses that lead to the qualifications in software engineering. However, it is possible to be self taught. The only problem being that many programmers don't know what they don't know and that can lead to problems if more experienced (and knowledgable) people are not available to address gaps in knowledge and skill. I prefer to think that software used in critical applications, e.g. avionics in new airplanes, are produced by software engineers having undergone rigorous education and experience.

ctb_mg 13y ago
I work for a shop that develops and tests embedded software in various avionics equipment. We use "Software Engineer" as our title. Previously I was a front and back end web developer for a startup-ish (200 employees trying very hard to be google) company. We used "Web Developer" as the title there.

michaelscaria 13y ago

Let me rephrase, what are the inherent differences in mannerisms between an non-software engineer and a programmer?