[NTLUG:Discuss] Re: software engineer? -- Technicians don't understand what Engineers do

[Kevin Hulse]

--- "Bryan J. Smith" <b.j.smith at ieee.org> wrote:

> From: Greg Edwards <greg at nas-inet.com>
[deletia]
> 
> > Try as hard as they might the traditional
> Engineering bodies do not 
> > understand or grasp the true breadth of what a
> Software Engineer is and 
> > what they bring to the table.  Software
> Engineering does not fit the 
> > mold of most Engineering disciplines.
> 
> I disagree _entirely_.
> 
> Just because the common perception in the IT world
> is that a "Software
> Engineer" does not need to research law, apply risk
> analysis or use
> numerical analysis does not mean it _should_ happen.

It is not uncommon for a "genuine engineer" to not
be concerned with such matters either. They simply
apply the heuristics developed by their particular
engineering discipline. This is actually quite similar
to how computer science is practiced professionally
in many cases.

[deletia]

All of you seem to be attributing more to engineers
in general than seems to be the case. In the general
case, engineers are nothing like doctors or lawyers.
They are infact much more like computer science 
practicioners. Although it is the PE's that have 
legal responsibilities similar to an MD or JD.

In general, computer science is a newer discipline
that hasn't been held to any real standards regarding
end results. This is far more interesting then whether
or not the daily routine of a Senior Systems Analyst
is 
similar (or dis-similar) to that of a Senior
Mechanical Engineer.