What is a Software Engineer?

A software engineer is in charge of assembling extensive amounts of code into working applications, as well as updating and fixing problems in existing software. A software engineer is also referred to as a programmer, because the main duties of a software engineer involve programming computers. Software engineering may be compared with computer science. While a software engineer works on actually developing working software solutions, a computer scientist focuses on the theoretical construct of software and hardware development. There is some debate over whether a software engineer should rather be referred to as a developer or programmer, because of connotations held by the term engineer. Many charge that software development is not held to the same rigorous and exacting standards as fields such as electrical engineering, and therefore should not be associated with other, more strict forms of engineering. The title of software engineer, as a result of these controversies, is ...  more

Because it is a new discipline, not everybody agrees on the definition of software engineering. However, according to the business-improvement organization Practical Process, www.practicalprocess.com, software engineering is the application of strong practices to ensure quality in the creation and maintenance of computer software. Often, software engineers are distinguished from computer programmers in that they handle and direct large-scale projects, while programmers primarily work with more contained jobs.  more

• Too many call themselves engineers, who are not ! Before deciding what sub species of engineer a software Engineer might be, first consider what an Engineer is, & is not. The word Engineer certainly gets claimed & applied too often ! • An engineer is Not the man who comes to install or fix your phone, washing machine, TV etc, they're technicians. The person who designed it's an engineer though, & if not, lord help your ! • Not everyone who deals with engines & hardware etc is an engineer, most are technicians etc, but it's appropriate to query the use of the title Engineer for one who is not also competent with engines &/or hardware etc. • Dismiss titles such as "Sanitary Engineer" they're probably mostly plumbers, or sewer workers etc, who do an essential job, some not without danger, & deserve thanks, but aren't engineers, , (though of course there will be a few civil engineers planning city sewer systems, though they probably do'nt call themselves "Sanitary Engineers" ). • As to ...  more