Many of us use the terms "programmer" and "developer" interchangeably. When someone asks me what I do for a living I tend to describe my vocation as "computer programmer" rather than "software developer", because the former seems to be understood more readily by those unfamiliar with IT. Even when writing pieces for this site, I tend to swap back and forth between the two terms, to try and avoid sounding repetitive. But in truth, there is a world of difference between a computer programmer and a software developer (editor's note: aka engineer and there is also a difference with a software architect).
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Member since:2005-06-29
You're right, we don't pay an admissions fee as software developers to an engineering group, well, other than the ACM or IEEE.
There's a lot of engineering methodology in software development, and it gets ignored often: Which isn't surprising, because, you're right, it's not really engineering.
But it's definitely not science.
It's really not math.
I think it falls closest to engineering.
Member since:2005-07-12
I don't think the term "engineer" should be used by any programmer unless they've actually completed an accredited engineering program of some sort.
My job title has usually been a variant of programmer/analyst, which describes the position well -- I analyze business issues, do high-level and detailed software/system design, do coding, design and perform test plans, implement the code in production, and support the software once it is loaded and running.
It ain't just "programming", but it isn't just "development" either...
Member since:
2005-10-31
Software development is a very technical field where one has to possess a very sharp mind to be able to accomplish the tasks that are frequently presented. Yet, is the title of "engineer" well placed when reffering to computer science people? The scientific, technical and methodical aspect which is the basis of true engineering, let alone the accountability, simply isn't present in software developing, at least as it is present in true engineering fields.