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Software Engineer vs Software Developer (self.programming)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by fogetaboutit to c/programming

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In your opinion what's the difference between the two? In my opinion both terms are frequently used interchangeably in the workplace.

But I'd like to consider myself as an engineer, because although I don't consider myself to be good at it, I think I cares about the software that I worked on, its interaction with other services, the big picture, and different kinds of small optimizations.

I mean, what is even engineering?

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

This whole thread was weird to read as a Canadian:

In Canada the title "engineer" is a legally protected term. You can't legally call yourself a software engineer without going through the Engineers Canada accreditation.

You are a software engineer if you are an engineer in good standing. Calling yourself a software engineer without accreditation is fraud.

~~Edit: I was curious, so I looked it up. The exact same is true in the US:~~

~~The title engineer is a protected title, that's protected in law, and it's been protected for over 100 years.~~

Edit 2: Don't believe everything you read online, lol. See below re: the US

[–] BatmanAoD 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm not sure where you're quoting from, but as far as I can see, only "Professional Engineer", "Licensed Engineer", and "Registered Engineer" are protected in the US.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I fixed my comment above. Thanks for the correction.

[–] Awkwardparticle 3 points 1 year ago

Canadian Engineering Associations will actually get you for illegally labeling yourself an Engineer. I did a software developer program and after graduating a few people decided to start calling themselves engineers. The organization contacted each person individually and I belive the program coordinator. It is a serious title here, it is the same as a healthcare worker calling themselves an RN without being registered with the nursing college.