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From: cem@intelca.UUCP (Chuck McManis)
Newsgroups: net.misc,net.flame
Subject: Re: Software Engineers (Hey, Kids!  Massive Rationalization!)
Message-ID: <423@intelca.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 19-Oct-84 17:05:02 EDT
Article-I.D.: intelca.423
Posted: Fri Oct 19 17:05:02 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 21-Oct-84 14:56:35 EDT
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There is actually a basis for distinguishing between the two major species
of programmer. The first seems to go by the name of Software Engineer, or
Systems Analyst, and sometimes Computer Scientist. These are the people
that design software systems, and concieve new languages or algorithims. Then
there are the group of people that seem to go by the name of Programmer or
Coder or Hacker. They are distinguished by an excellent implementation ability
but a rather lacking design ability. So, slowly but surely I am seeing a 
division of the "professional" field of computer science, into the 
Engineers, and the Technicians. Seems to happen to most professions when
the technology must be specialized in to make any advances into it. 
Look for even more specialized degree programs in the future, I know currently
at USC you can be an Electrical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer,
Petroleum Engineer, etc. But only a Computer Scientist if you go the software
route. I suspect this will change to Software Engineer, Microcode Engineer,
Package or Application Engineer, ad infinitum. 

--Chuck 

-- 
-- Chuck                                    - - - D I S C L A I M E R - - - 
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