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  3. Programmer vs software engineer

Programmer vs software engineer

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  • M Offline
    M Offline
    Munchies_Matt
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    I continually have to check the details of syntax and stuff when programming. Things like print format specifiers, the syntax of things I havent used for a year or so, and use a calculator to work out bit masks and check my bit wise logic. I can never get it right in my head. I dont remember details. I dont pride myself on that. I spend my time and energy on the big picture. Designing and understanding complex mechanisms. The architecture. The guts of the machine. So I think of myself as a software engineer, not a programmer. How about you lot?

    L Kornfeld Eliyahu PeterK C J C 52 Replies Last reply
    0
    • M Munchies_Matt

      I continually have to check the details of syntax and stuff when programming. Things like print format specifiers, the syntax of things I havent used for a year or so, and use a calculator to work out bit masks and check my bit wise logic. I can never get it right in my head. I dont remember details. I dont pride myself on that. I spend my time and energy on the big picture. Designing and understanding complex mechanisms. The architecture. The guts of the machine. So I think of myself as a software engineer, not a programmer. How about you lot?

      L Offline
      L Offline
      Lost User
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      Definitely programmer, and I still need to check things a lot.

      1 Reply Last reply
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      • M Munchies_Matt

        I continually have to check the details of syntax and stuff when programming. Things like print format specifiers, the syntax of things I havent used for a year or so, and use a calculator to work out bit masks and check my bit wise logic. I can never get it right in my head. I dont remember details. I dont pride myself on that. I spend my time and energy on the big picture. Designing and understanding complex mechanisms. The architecture. The guts of the machine. So I think of myself as a software engineer, not a programmer. How about you lot?

        Kornfeld Eliyahu PeterK Offline
        Kornfeld Eliyahu PeterK Offline
        Kornfeld Eliyahu Peter
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        A software programming engineer...

        Skipper: We'll fix it. Alex: Fix it? How you gonna fix this? Skipper: Grit, spit and a whole lotta duct tape.

        "It never ceases to amaze me that a spacecraft launched in 1977 can be fixed remotely from Earth." ― Brian Cox

        1 Reply Last reply
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        • M Munchies_Matt

          I continually have to check the details of syntax and stuff when programming. Things like print format specifiers, the syntax of things I havent used for a year or so, and use a calculator to work out bit masks and check my bit wise logic. I can never get it right in my head. I dont remember details. I dont pride myself on that. I spend my time and energy on the big picture. Designing and understanding complex mechanisms. The architecture. The guts of the machine. So I think of myself as a software engineer, not a programmer. How about you lot?

          C Offline
          C Offline
          CodeWraith
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          Wizard. Edit: How about Witch King of (company or place)?

          I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats.

          1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • M Munchies_Matt

            I continually have to check the details of syntax and stuff when programming. Things like print format specifiers, the syntax of things I havent used for a year or so, and use a calculator to work out bit masks and check my bit wise logic. I can never get it right in my head. I dont remember details. I dont pride myself on that. I spend my time and energy on the big picture. Designing and understanding complex mechanisms. The architecture. The guts of the machine. So I think of myself as a software engineer, not a programmer. How about you lot?

            J Offline
            J Offline
            Jeremy Falcon
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            Same with me. There's so much crap to keep track of nowadays I think it's better to understand principles and Google the detail specific stuff as needed. Because as sure as the sun rises in the east, there will be some new fancy buzzword come along every other day that we're expected to magically know just because it's the next shiny red button to come along.

            Jeremy Falcon

            M M 2 Replies Last reply
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            • J Jeremy Falcon

              Same with me. There's so much crap to keep track of nowadays I think it's better to understand principles and Google the detail specific stuff as needed. Because as sure as the sun rises in the east, there will be some new fancy buzzword come along every other day that we're expected to magically know just because it's the next shiny red button to come along.

              Jeremy Falcon

              M Offline
              M Offline
              Munchies_Matt
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              It not just fancy new stuff with me, it is stuff I have been doing for 20 years I forget the details of. I had to look up how to write a function pointer and pass it in an argument the other day! :)

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              • M Munchies_Matt

                It not just fancy new stuff with me, it is stuff I have been doing for 20 years I forget the details of. I had to look up how to write a function pointer and pass it in an argument the other day! :)

                J Offline
                J Offline
                Jeremy Falcon
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                Chances are you're just getting old then brother. ;P

                Jeremy Falcon

                M C 2 Replies Last reply
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                • M Munchies_Matt

                  I continually have to check the details of syntax and stuff when programming. Things like print format specifiers, the syntax of things I havent used for a year or so, and use a calculator to work out bit masks and check my bit wise logic. I can never get it right in my head. I dont remember details. I dont pride myself on that. I spend my time and energy on the big picture. Designing and understanding complex mechanisms. The architecture. The guts of the machine. So I think of myself as a software engineer, not a programmer. How about you lot?

                  C Offline
                  C Offline
                  CPallini
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  The Klingon kind of. :-D

                  C D 2 Replies Last reply
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                  • M Munchies_Matt

                    I continually have to check the details of syntax and stuff when programming. Things like print format specifiers, the syntax of things I havent used for a year or so, and use a calculator to work out bit masks and check my bit wise logic. I can never get it right in my head. I dont remember details. I dont pride myself on that. I spend my time and energy on the big picture. Designing and understanding complex mechanisms. The architecture. The guts of the machine. So I think of myself as a software engineer, not a programmer. How about you lot?

                    P Offline
                    P Offline
                    Pete OHanlon
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    I think of myself as Pete, don't really care about the job label.

                    This space for rent

                    S J 2 Replies Last reply
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                    • M Munchies_Matt

                      I continually have to check the details of syntax and stuff when programming. Things like print format specifiers, the syntax of things I havent used for a year or so, and use a calculator to work out bit masks and check my bit wise logic. I can never get it right in my head. I dont remember details. I dont pride myself on that. I spend my time and energy on the big picture. Designing and understanding complex mechanisms. The architecture. The guts of the machine. So I think of myself as a software engineer, not a programmer. How about you lot?

                      S Offline
                      S Offline
                      Slacker007
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      Software Engineers design and implement entire software application systems. Programmers/developers take those designs and code individual units of work from those designs/specs. Programmers/developers rarely design. So, if you are designing things, then you are an engineer/architect, if you are strictly just coding to someone else's designs/specs, you are a developer/programmer. Simples. Edit: Semantics. Some would argue that "developers" develop software, similar to engineer/architect. With that said, I guess the word "developer" is interchangeable here. - depends on your employer.

                      C M C 3 Replies Last reply
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                      • P Pete OHanlon

                        I think of myself as Pete, don't really care about the job label.

                        This space for rent

                        S Offline
                        S Offline
                        Slacker007
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        Just Pete? Not Pete O'Hanlon? "Hi. My name is Pete, Pete O'Hanlon. You can call me Pete".

                        1 Reply Last reply
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                        • S Slacker007

                          Software Engineers design and implement entire software application systems. Programmers/developers take those designs and code individual units of work from those designs/specs. Programmers/developers rarely design. So, if you are designing things, then you are an engineer/architect, if you are strictly just coding to someone else's designs/specs, you are a developer/programmer. Simples. Edit: Semantics. Some would argue that "developers" develop software, similar to engineer/architect. With that said, I guess the word "developer" is interchangeable here. - depends on your employer.

                          C Offline
                          C Offline
                          CodeWraith
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          Ok, so far. Let's add that you ar a manager or a wizard if you get things done by waving your hands.

                          I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats.

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                          • C CPallini

                            The Klingon kind of. :-D

                            C Offline
                            C Offline
                            CodeWraith
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #13

                            So, you are not the sort this rapper is looking for.[^]

                            I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats.

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • M Munchies_Matt

                              I continually have to check the details of syntax and stuff when programming. Things like print format specifiers, the syntax of things I havent used for a year or so, and use a calculator to work out bit masks and check my bit wise logic. I can never get it right in my head. I dont remember details. I dont pride myself on that. I spend my time and energy on the big picture. Designing and understanding complex mechanisms. The architecture. The guts of the machine. So I think of myself as a software engineer, not a programmer. How about you lot?

                              P Offline
                              P Offline
                              peterkmx
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #14

                              It could be DevOps if programming is accompanied by related activities like use case analysis, testing, deployment, monitoring, updating, etc ... BR

                              S 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • M Munchies_Matt

                                I continually have to check the details of syntax and stuff when programming. Things like print format specifiers, the syntax of things I havent used for a year or so, and use a calculator to work out bit masks and check my bit wise logic. I can never get it right in my head. I dont remember details. I dont pride myself on that. I spend my time and energy on the big picture. Designing and understanding complex mechanisms. The architecture. The guts of the machine. So I think of myself as a software engineer, not a programmer. How about you lot?

                                H Offline
                                H Offline
                                HobbyProggy
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #15

                                For me the basic rule to separate those both terms is: Programmer : Codes stuff (Mostly on base of plans or decisions) Engineer : Developes/Designs (Keeping track, planning, managing, defining Architecture etc.) stuff + programming Therefore i see myself as SW Engineer.

                                Rules for the FOSW ![^]

                                if(this.signature != "")
                                {
                                MessageBox.Show("This is my signature: " + Environment.NewLine + signature);
                                }
                                else
                                {
                                MessageBox.Show("404-Signature not found");
                                }

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                                • P peterkmx

                                  It could be DevOps if programming is accompanied by related activities like use case analysis, testing, deployment, monitoring, updating, etc ... BR

                                  S Offline
                                  S Offline
                                  Slacker007
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  DevOps was a term coined by fucking geek ass nerds who want to sound like SpecOps. Take that devops crap and flush it down the toilet.

                                  P N 2 Replies Last reply
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                                  • J Jeremy Falcon

                                    Chances are you're just getting old then brother. ;P

                                    Jeremy Falcon

                                    M Offline
                                    M Offline
                                    Munchies_Matt
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #17

                                    :( Could be.

                                    W 1 Reply Last reply
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                                    • C CPallini

                                      The Klingon kind of. :-D

                                      D Offline
                                      D Offline
                                      Daniel Pfeffer
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #18

                                      Today is a good day to code!

                                      If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack. --Winston Churchill

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                                      • S Slacker007

                                        Software Engineers design and implement entire software application systems. Programmers/developers take those designs and code individual units of work from those designs/specs. Programmers/developers rarely design. So, if you are designing things, then you are an engineer/architect, if you are strictly just coding to someone else's designs/specs, you are a developer/programmer. Simples. Edit: Semantics. Some would argue that "developers" develop software, similar to engineer/architect. With that said, I guess the word "developer" is interchangeable here. - depends on your employer.

                                        M Offline
                                        M Offline
                                        Munchies_Matt
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #19

                                        True, of course, but I have never worked in a situation where the two were separated. In all my roles the engineers designed and coded the product.

                                        S 1 Reply Last reply
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                                        • M Munchies_Matt

                                          True, of course, but I have never worked in a situation where the two were separated. In all my roles the engineers designed and coded the product.

                                          S Offline
                                          S Offline
                                          Slacker007
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #20

                                          Yep. My experience as well, and seems to be the current trend. IMHO, I think it has to do with more shops are going "agile" so to speak, and there is less up front time spent purely in design. So, your "coders" have to know design as well (design & code as you produce and deliver). That is my high level opinion about that - don't know if it is accurate or not.

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