What's the difference between a Computer Programmer and a Software Engineer?
Mongolia

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Clarification of Question by mongolia-ga on 02 Mar 2005 15:38 PST

Rainbow

Regarding your definition of a computer programmer, I believe it may
have applied in the 1950's or 1960's. I do not believe it would tell
you what someone who is a Computer Programmer today does.

Thanks

Mongolia

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Request for Question Clarification by maniac-ga on 02 Mar 2005 19:06 PST

Hello Mongolia,

Not much. In the late 70's my title changed from Computer Programmer
to Software Engineer without any real difference in work.

Why do you ask?

  --Maniac
u

Hi Mongolia,

Does this help clarify things:

Computer Programmer: A computer programmer is a person who feeds
detailed instructions to the computer to solve any given problem.

Software Engineer: A software engineer is one who develops software
that involves the systematic application of computer tools and
techniques to develop high quality, reliable and user-friendly
applications as well as system software.

http://www.jobz-online.com/jobs-in-india/computer-programmers-jobs-in-india.php#computers_jobs


"A software engineer also develops/creates new software. After a
software engineer develops the software, a programmer writes the
program that provides the instructions to the computer on how to
perform the functions."

http://www.physicsforums.com/archive/topic/t-15434_Careers?.html

Best regards,
Rainbow

I suspect that the main difference may be salary. ;-)

It is just a bullsh*t title

The old one was 'analyst programmer'
- a programmer who is not an analyst is a 'code monkey'

An analyst who is not a programmer is a very dangerous bit of work

Dear All
From the remarks posted already I am getting the impression there 
really is no difference except that Sofware Engineer sounds
better, the programs they write may be a bit more complicated 
than what a mere computer programmer may right and as Pinkfreud
points out a Software Engineer probably gets paid more.

Other than that they are at heart they are both "Coding Monkies"
Yours Truly 
Mongolia

There is a difference between a Software Engineer and a Computer
Programmer. As previously mentioned an Engineer developes software
which involves the full software lifecycle (extract the customer
requirements, produce the specification, design the application,
implement by producung the code, testing the code, integrate into
customers operation, train customers staff, maintain as customers
needs change). One lifecycle is the waterfall model
http://scitec.uwichill.edu.bb/cmp/online/cs22l/waterfall_model.htm but
there are many more models. A programmer would produce the code part
of the lifecycle. I hope this also explaines why salaries are
different too!

I would not say that.

A 'code monkey' is not much better than a typist working from a dictaphone.

You don't want many of those around, unless you are running a 'creche'.
( a training school )

The key phrases are: 
   'client facing programmer'
   'programming geek'
   'talking programmer'  (Ok on the 'phone)

There are plenty more.

Google Researching people and other people who comment from time to time

It could be that I am just going potty in my elder years but I swore I saw a 
comment about my question which would appear to have since
mysteriously disappeared !!!

 I can only briefly rememember this comment but my feeble memory would suggest
that as well as an oblique reference to ageist discrimination in the
IT sector, it speculated that those poor souls who did not make it
from mere computer programmer to software engineer were emigrating in
droves to "La Republic D'Irlande" to design web sites (to be even more
geographically precise to design Web Sites in Cork)

Now it could well be that this was perhaps some bizarre dream on my part 
and the comment never really existed. So possibly could you guys and gals out 
let me now if i was just dreaming?    
Merci Bien

Mongolia

Mongolia,

Many comments are being deleted by the editors because they contain
links to the user's own website. We've had a spam epidemic lately. I
believe the comment that you mention contained a link that was
essentially just advertising, so it was zapped into oblivion.

~Pink