Software Developer or Engineer

Unpossible

Don't know if this is the right place to post this, but I don't see any other places for software/computing questions.

Heres my current situation:
Im repeating my Diploma in Software development in I.T.Tralee

I am applying next year for Maynooth
I was thinking of just going to Computer Science up there, however I have found from my major projects (& a group one) that my strengths seem to be in the organisation & planning of the project, as opposed to the coding part. (im using C# so coding isn't much of a problem). As such I am considering to go to software engineering instead. Can anyone tell me what the differences are?

I have a software engineering subject in my current course and it has always seemed easy enough.

Trojan

Originally posted by Unpossible
Can anyone tell me what the differences are?

The name of the company you're working for.

Dont Ban Me

You're a developer until you feel qualified enough to call yourself an engineer!!

Hobbes

I would of thought it to be the oher way around.

Developer = Developers develops the software.

Engineer = Fixes or writes software to given plan.

Typedef

My title :

Embedded Software Engineer

What that means :

I get my choice of women.

WizZard

My title:

Software Developer

What that means:

I get my choice of sandwich

Kernel32

Generally the difference between a software developer and a software engineer is that a software engineer is supposed to use and understand design patterns. By design patterns I mean model view controller, factory, singleton and so on. Most developers loosely follow design patterns even though most have no idea what they are but its the software engineers job to choose which to use, what aspects of them to use and make sure development adheres to the choosen patterns.

Unfortunately Trojan is correct in implying that most companies throw around titles as they see fit, someone with the title software engineer at one company may have no clue as to what a software engineer is.

Unpossible

so how can they have two different courses?

I think if its just depending on the company then I might as well just stay on the developer side & get qualified

Karoma

something along these lines:



although, i'd say there's about as many real software "engineers" as there is intelligent blondes..

[software engineers are meant to apply engineering practices: ie. like an engineer that builds a bridge,etc. : plan,test, revise, test,plan,test,plan,plan,test... argh! before actually building properly* (*with some flexibility,depending on software process and lifecycles) ]

Silent Bob

Software Developer/Software Engineer, there ain't much difference. Being a Chartered Engineer is where the respect is at.

Unpossible

plan,test, revise, test,plan,test,plan,plan,test...

yep this sounds like me

real software "engineers"

so to be real I have to do this course?


aarrggh, is there anybody out there im maynooth doing one of these courses?
If there is PM me please, so I can quizz you on the courses

scojones

try the college work board

leeroybrown

I have to agree that companies tend to throw around job titles regardless of function. It might well be because job titles are grabbed out of the air by HR departments

In general a software developer is someone who takes a specification for a given task or defined component of a project and codes it.

A software engineer is a very generic term encompassing anyone who deals with managing the software development life cycle. They could be doing anything from exactly specifying the design a specific component to managing the whole project from initial specification to support.

The terms then start to blur together. The developer will always have a level of software engineering skill and can also have anything from zero to full control over the project.

An engineer is someone who specialises in applying scientific knowledge to problem solving meaning that a software engineer is defined by whatever problem he's tasked with solving. It's a hell of a broad definition and varies massively from job to job.

Unpossible

try the college work board

I didn't know that board existed, thanks I've posted there instead

scojones

No bother

Karoma

so children,what have we learnt today?
HR throw about titles... no,nothing new.
Um,er...
That Unpossible is a procastinator who likes to kick back,watch everyone else do work, and perhaps boss them around.. sound like a developer to me.

leahcim

I did my BSc in Computer Science Maynooth a few years ago.

The "Computer Science and Software Engineering (MH203 on the CAO form) " in Maynooth is a degree mainly focusing on computers and software engineering, it is likely to have a focus on real world computer applications, in theory this would be the degree to do if you wanted to work in industry.

The "Computer Science" (MH201 on the CAO form) is the old style BSc degree, you can do it as a single science subject or combine with other science subjects such as physics, maths etc. I think (not 100% sure) you might have to do some other science subjects for the first few years of the degree, it is usually in the third and fourth year you get to concentrate on the exact subect your degree will be in. In theory if you wanted to work in R&D or academia this would be the degree for you.

Other computer science options include

"Theoretical Physics & Computer Science (TPCS)", which just combines maths physics and computer science. Some people find math physics difficult so this might no be the best option.

"Computer Science as an Arts Subject (CSA)", here you could combine Computers with an arts subject like Economics or a language.

In reality an employer wouldnt give a toss which degree you had, the multiple computer science options are most probably there to try and attract students from other colleges.

They didn't have the "Computer Science and Software Engineering" option when I went to Maynooth, I did the standard science degree. I found doing other science subjects really helped my problem solving skills, alot of the stuff taught in a computer science degree are pretty boring but I enjoyed the significant computer programming component to subjects like physics and maths.

BTW Maynooth is a lovely college, it had a great atmosphere and brilliant social life.

Unpossible

That Unpossible is a procastinator who likes to kick back,watch everyone else do work, and perhaps boss them around

yep, my objective in life is to work without working & get a lot of money doing it. Yes people out there are doing this and are doing it quiet well.