Difference between software engineer and a programmer?
Asked by Kin E
I'd like to know the difference between a computer software engineer and a programmer. Also, which is a better career *in the field of software engineering* for businesses and companies - application software or systems software? If they are the same thing..should I pick software engineer? I'm doing my college application and I'm wondering which to choose. I want the career of whichever creates/programs . The way I see it, one programs apps and software, and the other just makes them better and whatnot.

Best Answer:
Look at it this way: "Software" is categorized as 'property' in business industry. In same manner, building software is like building a building. having a programmer build a software, is like hiring general contractor builder to build your house rather than architect & engineer. He(builder) could do it. Normally smart and sharp contractors, turn into builders. But you don’t want them to build your high-rise building. For College application it doesn’t matter, between programmer and software engineer. You want to decide if you want to go to “school of business” or “school of science.” School of business gets you BS in Business Administration, where the other is BS in Science. The difference is types of application you be working on. Programmer could code any type of application, but engineer is specialized in either business needs software(accounting stuff), or more science oriented softwares (robotics – software that makes cars parallel park automatically – medical devices). the only difference between software and building is that, you have to always start as programmer for software, but you don’t have to know how to install walls, before becoming construction engineer. The actual view : Software engineer designs computer systems to meet some need. Or hired to maintain some software in use. coding is part of the system. the entire system is referred to as SDLC for Software Development Life Cycle. System Analyst could be considered higher rank above software engineer. Depend on the size and extend of the software, normally software engineer does the job of the System analyst, in the same manner, in the smaller softwares, programmer do the job of software engineer. as in-house analyst/engineer, not commercial, you are normally needed when there is a problem. you have training and expertise to find a solution, which most likely is 'custom made software' which you design, then give blue print (requirement specification) to the programmer and they build it. commercial analyst/engineer is the one that creates a software to compete with other softwares to sell to public. easier with Business applications to do this, rather than science applications. Software Development Life Cycle Phase #1 Survey - survey the situation (learn what is wrong) Phase #2 Study - study the current system.(how things are handled now - normally old legacy software or manual paper work.) Phase#3 Definition - define user requirements (what needs are not satisfied with current system). The blue print of the software called 'Requirement specification' is developed in this phase. Phase#4 Evaluation- come up with few alternative solutions, complete with cost/benefit and risk analysis and much more. this is where you have to be creative, sharp, & smart. Phase#5 Design - Management will choose/approve one of the solutions, and now is the design phase. You are going 'create' some thing. {this is the part you like.} Design is derived from ‘Requirement Specification (RA). Phase#6 Build - Once design is complete, and approved again by management, then time to use programmers for coding. You hire a programmers with experience in language of your choice to code it faster and better than you. You don’t want to waste time to keep your self fluent in any language, or you are going to lose the big picture. choosing language is one the things you need to do in evaluate phase#4. Not all languages are suitable for all environments. You should know languages capabilities. Let programmer know/learn details and make it work. Phase #7 delivery & installation. Phase #8 maintenance - this is where job security is come from. now that management knows what they can do, they are going to ask for modifications & additions to software. no one but the original creator of the software could do this better, faster, more efficient. then software becomes your baby. but programmer was only hired as resource, not the creator of the software.
I have Masters degree in computer science(1996) and 18 years work experience started as programmer and now Systems analyst/Software Engineer/Programmer
Answered by Soraya H

Same thing. Programmers call themselves Software Engineers to get extra credibility because "engineering" is a highly respected profession.
Answered by John

They can be interchangeable. But realize that some people write code (program) and some people then take that code and manipulate it into other things (integrate). Any big piece of software is made up of a lot of little pieces. One person may program one piece, but then other people may that that piece and add it to other pieces. They all work on computers, though.
Answered by kako

I've often wondered the same question since it does appear to be so interchangable of terms (I think it may be interchangable to many of the the companies listing the jobs as well, so I wouldn't focus only on one or another)... That said, for entry level jobs in each it looks like the site salary.com does describe the job titles differently (they may match more as they advance in experience, etc.). According to salary.com they both make about the same pay, although a software engineer typically requires a bachelors, while a programmer only shows an associates as being required. There are also some differences in descriptions (see below for more), but again I think it will depend heavily on the company posting the job what is really expected.
Answered by LoveofResearch