Skip to content
  • Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
  • World
  • Users
  • Groups
Skins
  • Light
  • Cerulean
  • Cosmo
  • Flatly
  • Journal
  • Litera
  • Lumen
  • Lux
  • Materia
  • Minty
  • Morph
  • Pulse
  • Sandstone
  • Simplex
  • Sketchy
  • Spacelab
  • United
  • Yeti
  • Zephyr
  • Dark
  • Cyborg
  • Darkly
  • Quartz
  • Slate
  • Solar
  • Superhero
  • Vapor

  • Default (No Skin)
  • No Skin
Collapse
Code Project
  1. Home
  2. The Lounge
  3. Programmer vs software engineer

Programmer vs software engineer

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved The Lounge
visual-studioarchitecturequestion
109 Posts 67 Posters 262 Views 1 Watching
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • 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
    0
    • 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.

      G 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • S Slacker007

        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.

        G Offline
        G Offline
        GuyThiebaut
        wrote on last edited by
        #21

        In agile there are product architects who decide on the overall direction for design. Software developers then take this general direction hint and write the code.

        “That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”

        ― Christopher Hitchens

        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?

          K Offline
          K Offline
          KarstenK
          wrote on last edited by
          #22

          My job has evolved more into the buzz word known dev ops because primary code writing and debugging is becoming a smaller part of my work. Today I struggle with design, app store and deployment, minor but regular server issues, second level customer support and marketing.

          Press F1 for help or google it. Greetings from Germany

          P 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • S Slacker007

            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 Offline
            P Offline
            peterkmx
            wrote on last edited by
            #23

            Oh no ... my favourite term gets bashed ... It could also be "programmer++" :-D

            1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • H HobbyProggy

              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");
              }

              G Offline
              G Offline
              Gandalf_TheWhite
              wrote on last edited by
              #24

              HobbyProggy wrote:

              Programmer : Codes stuff (Mostly on base of plans or decisions) Engineer : Developes/Designs (Keeping track, planning, managing, defining Architecture etc.) stuff + programming

              :thumbsup: IMO, this is the most accurate definition. This description perfectly fits in Agile project development. Btw, all these related words are more or less same for those who do not know more about Software world. Whatever you say to them, they will just think, we can do anything with computers.

              You can have all the tools in the world but if you don't genuinely believe in yourself, it's useless.

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • S Slacker007

                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.

                N Offline
                N Offline
                Nathan Minier
                wrote on last edited by
                #25

                Based on how many coders don't seem to have any idea about SysAdmin or Ops work, I completely disagree.

                "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics." - Benjamin Disraeli

                S 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • P Pete OHanlon

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

                  This space for rent

                  J Offline
                  J Offline
                  jgakenhe
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #26

                  :thumbsup: Same here. You get an email from me it says Joe. I get one from someone sitting 5 feet from me I get a 10 line email signature, chain or not.

                  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?

                    M Offline
                    M Offline
                    Marc Clifton
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #27

                    007 ;)

                    Latest Article - Class-less Coding - Minimalist C# and Why F# and Function Programming Has Some Advantages Learning to code with python is like learning to swim with those little arm floaties. It gives you undeserved confidence and will eventually drown you. - DangerBunny Artificial intelligence is the only remedy for natural stupidity. - CDP1802

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • K KarstenK

                      My job has evolved more into the buzz word known dev ops because primary code writing and debugging is becoming a smaller part of my work. Today I struggle with design, app store and deployment, minor but regular server issues, second level customer support and marketing.

                      Press F1 for help or google it. Greetings from Germany

                      P Offline
                      P Offline
                      peterkmx
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #28

                      :thumbsup: ... my situation is +/- the same ... Perhaps it would be an idea for a weekly poll on CP, unless we had this one already ?

                      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?

                        Z Offline
                        Z Offline
                        ZurdoDev
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #29

                        Magician.

                        There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data. There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.

                        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
                          PIEBALDconsult
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #30

                          It's not about the abilities of the individual; it's about the criticality of the product. If it's a web site or line-of-business app, it ain't engineering, so don't call yourself an engineer. There are very very few software engineers. I'm a software developer and architect.

                          L 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?

                            L Offline
                            L Offline
                            Lost User
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #31

                            Having a title just means you're still a junior looking for a promotion to the next higher title. My business card doesn't have a title, and I rarely hand one to anybody that does. (Well I do have some old business cards from a previous employer, useful for trade shows where they expect you to provide a card to get in - they're not getting my real card either.)

                            Installing Signature... Do not switch off your computer.

                            M 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?

                              R Offline
                              R Offline
                              rnbergren
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #32

                              I usually introduce myself as a geek. When talking to non geeks. In a company of other geeks I say I do development. I try to leave it at that. Some days I am a strict coder. Some days I am an architect. Some days I am the customer. Most days I am just keep politics from ruining mine and my teams lives. As someone else said. I don't really fit into the current buzzword. I also don't want to be labeled by a buzzword. I can do design work, I can meet with the customer and come up with an overriding solution. I can be put in a corner and given specs and crank out code.

                              To err is human to really mess up you need a computer

                              P 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?

                                L Offline
                                L Offline
                                Lost User
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #33

                                I also call myself software engineer, although, if blundering hacks like us would be held up to the standards of civil engineering, we would all be in jail.

                                C 1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • L Lost User

                                  I also call myself software engineer, although, if blundering hacks like us would be held up to the standards of civil engineering, we would all be in jail.

                                  C Offline
                                  C Offline
                                  CPallini
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #34

                                  :laugh: True.

                                  J 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • L Lost User

                                    Having a title just means you're still a junior looking for a promotion to the next higher title. My business card doesn't have a title, and I rarely hand one to anybody that does. (Well I do have some old business cards from a previous employer, useful for trade shows where they expect you to provide a card to get in - they're not getting my real card either.)

                                    Installing Signature... Do not switch off your computer.

                                    M Offline
                                    M Offline
                                    Munchies_Matt
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #35

                                    I dont have a business card and it wasnt a question about titles, it was a question about mentality.

                                    L 1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • C CPallini

                                      :laugh: True.

                                      J Offline
                                      J Offline
                                      Jim_Snyder
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #36

                                      "Jim, for one million dollars, what is your name!"

                                      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
                                        Pualee
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #37

                                        eh... I'm whatever the job description says. Just tell me the technologies used and the pay scale. Call me whatever you like, just don't call me late for dinner.

                                        J 1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • M Munchies_Matt

                                          I dont have a business card and it wasnt a question about titles, it was a question about mentality.

                                          L Offline
                                          L Offline
                                          Lost User
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #38

                                          So when you say "So I think of myself as a software engineer, not a programmer" that's not putting a title on yourself/what you do? Okay then, keep going, work hard and you might get there one day.

                                          Installing Signature... Do not switch off your computer.

                                          M 1 Reply Last reply
                                          0
                                          Reply
                                          • Reply as topic
                                          Log in to reply
                                          • Oldest to Newest
                                          • Newest to Oldest
                                          • Most Votes


                                          • Login

                                          • Don't have an account? Register

                                          • Login or register to search.
                                          • First post
                                            Last post
                                          0
                                          • Categories
                                          • Recent
                                          • Tags
                                          • Popular
                                          • World
                                          • Users
                                          • Groups