Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site intelca.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!sdcsvax!dcdwest!ittvax!decvax!decwrl!amd!intelca!cem 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 References: <737@u1100a.UUCP> <1436@vax2.fluke.UUCP> <1195@hao.UUCP> <1449@vax2.fluke.UUCP> Organization: Intel, Santa Clara, Ca. Lines: 24 Xref: 6016 6214 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 - - - {ihnp4,fortune}!dual\ All opinions expressed herein are my {proper,idi}-> !intelca!cem own and not those of my employer, my {ucbvax,hao}!hplabs/ friends, or my avocado plant. :-} ARPAnet : "hplabs!intelca!cem"@Berkeley