Software Developer vs Software Engineer

[@yad2917]

Um.., this is BS. There is so much misleading information on the internet and vid is an example. I've been in the app dev industry for over 15 years. I've been a developer, I've hired developers, and I've built development organizations from the ground up. Software developer and Software engineer are interchangeable job titles! it just depends on the company and their strategy to attract and retain talent. As for Programmer/Programmer analyst, this is an older and antiquated job title from the mainframe days. Most well run companies have moved away from using this title because it doesn't attract talent. Programmers/Programmer analysts are usually either developers or systems analysts. You'll have to look at one's resume/job description to distinguish.

[@Napkin2d]

Thank you for clearing that up

[@42_10_]

agreed.

[@TriplellOnLeague]

The difference between a software engineer and a software developer is the difference between a teacher and an instructor.

[@kzakaria91]

@E.t.A A. no you don't

[@Ali-lm7uw]

Or a cock and a penis.

[@soccerball7828]

So what is teacher here

[@tnl8758]

@@Ali-lm7uw Now that's accurate.

[@mattw1186]

You are right... there’s a big difference. The teacher would be the engineer, because they are there to have students learn (be taught) whereby instructor would be lower in that it’s just someone that leads; and since lower down is more analogous to dev. Think of group exercise instructors VS teachers. Are you there to lead, or to have others learn to lead. Not saying either is inferior, but a teacher would be at another level

[@martinmayer4019]

You're correct that the more experience and responsibility the role demands, the higher the salary it commands. However, we're just talking about seniority: Junior, Mid-level, Senior, Principle are common prefixes used to denote these expectations. From what I've seen in the UK at least, Developer and Engineer are used interchangeably and nobody advertises for a Programmer anymore. I'm sure this varies from place to place but often these roles are named by HR and Recruitment staff, so explicit differentiation of these terms had been lost a long time ago.

[@IAmDevtube]

I guess that's the one thing that HR did in all these years!

[@joselara02]

I think you missed a few different points between developer and engineer: A software engineer can have different had at diferente times. A software engineer training includes: cost and estimation metrics of the software. Architecture design, QA testing, Software development and design, and project management. Meaning a software engineering can fit any other these roles at any giving point. Where software Developer is only concerns about the software development and the design.

[@DanEllis]

Stop drawing these false distinctions. These titles are not even remotely defined the way you think. They depend more on the company you work for than what work you do. You are literally making this up as you go.

[@IAmDevtube]

+Dan Ellis A better approach would have been to tell me what your experience was, noting it's differences to mine. We could then have an honest discussion about it. As it stands, your accusative tone immediately puts me off wanting to engage with you.

[@tahahassan2143]

Dan Ellis iidid

[@angrysocialjusticewarrior]

Dan Ellis you are wrong. I Am Dev's distinctions are absolutely correct. Dan Ellies what you are talking about is a practice by companies where they advertise a role with a certain "title", only to find (once you're hired) that the role involves many other duties that should match the title of another role and not the one they advertised. This does not mean it changes the proper definition of the title they lied about. And this bad practice by companies does not involve tech people only. All types profession can fall victim to this.

[@iamwhat]

Actually, that's not true. There are distinctions between the roles. Your point that companies augment the job descriptions, but the roles have particular skillsets associated with them.

[@KeepItFresh02]

​@@IAmDevtube After college in 2011, i got a developer job, my title was Front-End Engineer. it was a Wordpress job just doing development. basically says its the same thing as being a developer. but like OP said it really about the company you end up working for.

[@chigoziea.991]

There is no difference lmao. They are used interchangeably and software engineer became more trendy.

[@wikali6128]

Interesting topic... the term software engineer has been widely used today. A web developer no matter front end or backend, mobile app developers they are called software engineer. But I disagree with this definition... I am a full stack web developer sometimes do something .net for desktop client development. But I never said I am an engineer. I think a job related to engineering should use so many scientific/mathematical skills in daily work. Just like mechanical or electrical engineers who calculate every day From my perspective, software engineers should be someone who builds software. This software could be desktop programs like Spotify or Photoshop or larger cloud platform . When building these kinds of projects, algorithms, streaming processing or auto images processing and work flows are really important for obtaining well performance.. but now I don't know why a person who builds a web app with js will be called software engineer.. ..I participate sdlc every day . I don't need to use any mathematics and physics on my job... before 2006, we care about performance so we would analysis the entire codebase again and again. Calculate BIG O for each block of code.. but now, we also care about performance but never did this....

[@sreyall_CCMT]

The comments here are very correct. Normally a good programmer does both back end and front end development. If he can do that then he is a developer which consists of major and most critical areas of software engineering including all functionality of SDLC. Software engineering is position and the job role may include a managerial approach which a good developer possesses and many software engineers are one man show today with agile development. The teams are there in a corporate setup only and the developer will do every thing,

[@1MinuteFlipDoc]

translated to US software engineer = US software architect software developer = US senior engineer programmer = US junior engineer, US software developer

[@FredXR76]

Ok, so you start up as a developer and then after you have many years of experience you are promoted to an engineer. That totally match my experience (non US) where we start as developers and ends up as architects. Thanks for the explanation and comparison.

[@joe_3y3s]

so wrong.

[@piesho]

What is a software engineer? Bruce Lee said it best: "Get maximum effect from minimum effort.", "Take what’s useful, discard what is not.", and “Boards don’t hit back.” OK, the last one has nothing to do with learning about productivity and efficiency in software development, but you get the point with the first two.

[@gmanon1181]

I find it hard to deal with titles, especially when it comes to Web Media. For example, I do almost everything that has to do with the Web Development; but it's hard to be really amazing at anything in particular because the field is so broad. When you get a job, your coworkers have a weird idea of what you should and shouldn't know. You are actually used to the entire process from design to installation and testing; but you are not a Database administrator, neither a Project Manager or not even a Programmer. You just know everything that has to do with the process of publishing your pages since the beginning to the end, design, color, exclusively web programming, a single DBM basically, search engines, related technologies, basic server configuration, installation, etc, etc. And people play nuts undermining you; and recruiters seem to be sending you to the wrong jobs that don't really apply to you. How can you deal with that and market yourself better by actually having the right title for what you do?

[@IAmDevtube]

sounds like you're better off going down the freelance / one man band route. If you work in a big company you will be shoehorned into one area. I'd suggest looking for work as a CTO for startup in your case. You'll get to do everything (and then some more)! It is harder than a regular job but more rewarding, both personally and potentially financially.

[@goofball9292]

that was beautiful, thank you, got me educated about this all.

[@nofleal-morabi6120]

I want to become a Software Engineer, and I've applied to to an engineering program instead a cs program. When I told the adviser that I want to become a SE, he showed me the circulumn for computer engineering, which is like digital hardware, electrical circuits, engineering design (which is super mechanical/physics), microprocessers, some physics and chemistrty, and etc. The courses seem more of the electrical and hardware development of the computer rather than software engineering. I told him isn't computer engineering is by default hardware, and SE is different? He says SE and HE are almost the same and they're both CE, and you could become SE by taking these courses. Do I have to enroll in a CS program to become a SE? Or should I stick to my engineering program? Btw, they offer like 5 consecutive programming classes in it too.

[@keepitretrox]

Please tell me what you ended up doing.im trying to figure out what to do myself

[@DevMoSofi]

I believe that is the difference between Developer, Engineer and Architect not Programmer, Developer and Engineer. It is very hard to distinguish between these titles as there is no convention. Anyone can give himself/herself a title. I see people on LinkedIn with 2 years of experience and call themselves seniors.

[@mo-om]

I can see so many comments disagreeing with this video. If people know these things already, I wonder why they are even bothering to watch the video.

[@IAmDevtube]

Seems to be both agreeing and disagreeing. Never thought this video would generate so much controversy!

[@mo-om]

@@IAmDevtube Yeah. Thin line. At the company I work, they used to call us Software Developers. Now, they call us Software Engineers. That why I ended up here to find out the difference.

[@IAmDevtube]

These days when people ask me what I do I just say "I make apps". Everyone understands that!

[@Victor-cx3cn]

@@IAmDevtube 😂😂😂 pretty well. Thanks alot.

[@amirhosseinahmadi3706]

We can be called so many things: - Software Developer - Computer Programmer - Software Programmer - Computer Engineer - App Developer - Software Engineer - App Programmer - Program Writer - etc. Though they might have subtle differences, I don't think they are fundamentally different, all of them are the same IMHO. All of them usually sit in front of a computer and open the code editor/IDE... I personally can call myself whichever one and it'd be correct.

[@TableTennisAle]

So bad programmer = programmer good programmer = software engineer

[@IAmDevtube]

nice and concise!

[@Belgarathe]

Thanks for general idea It help explain why I’m taking some theory classes in master program

[@chillybean9662]

well said, can you do a computer science and software engineer

[@IAmDevtube]

+Chilly Bean thanks. Comp sci is a lot more theory than practice. If you like math then comp sci is for you. If you like practicality then software programming

[@emmanuelkofyagyapong6382]

I Am Dev so you are saying that computer science won’t make you a software engineer? So can one become programmer first, software developer, then Software engineer?

[@IAmDevtube]

comp sci can turn into anything but it is heavy on theory. If you're a practical type (like me) that can get boring fast! Learn to program and you can become any of the above options. The KEY is to keep practising and LEARNING something new about your framework/language every day!

[@emmanuelkofyagyapong6382]

I Am Dev that’s a big relief because I have a close friend of mine graduated in cs that says that he was gonna be a software engineer without coding. Since I love coding o was a bit confused he says that all you need is to know how to design software and the developers (dump people like me lol) code them while they only give us instructions to do. My plan was becoming a developer (do a lot of code) and eventually become a se when I know enough. Also I should add that he does not like coding but theory and math a lot..

[@IAmDevtube]

I don't know your friend but it sounds like he wants to skip the hard bit - coding. All good SEs should know how to code because pure theory is almost useless in real life applications. Sounds like you're on the right track though!

[@tobeleo3558]

Awesome stuff bro...couldn't have explained it any better.

[@Loppy2345]

A software engineer is someone that applies engineering principles to software development.

[@alexandruagrapine1447]

as a software developer just makes it up as it goes...

[@racecar7808]

Question. In case of financial crisis of a company, who is gonna be laid off first ? Software Developer or Software Engineer ?

[@IAmDevtube]

None of those. It will be the person who isn't seen as valuable. For example: I guarantee that the office cleaner will not be laid off

[@ninjazhu]

I think a developer can be an individual or a company. A programmer is always an individual (can be a computer). Developers can also be programmers. Someone or a company who develops software are develops. Programming is one psrt of developing. Also engineers are usually individuals. It is common to be all 3 in 1. Who gives a sh*t about titles... But rather what they do. Many developers hire dozens of staff.

[@michaelpacheco7421]

You don't have explained what a software engineer is, but what a product owner or maybe a manager is

[@IAmDevtube]

Found this post that outlines some of the career paths a software engineer can take blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/nadyne/2007/02/16/how-to-be-a-software-engineer-without-coding/

[@battosaijenkins946]

@I Am Dev, hey man interesting video. But what do you call someone who can do programming + software developer + software engineer all in 1?

[@OlivierPons]

"Some don't require coding as a skill"? I started as a developer, saw how people do NOT take you in consideration, went back to school, passed my engineer diploma, and now I'm both a developer *and* software engineer. I'm a web teacher in 4 different engineer schools in south of France and guess what? "Some don't require coding as a skill" is 100e+5454% wrong. Software Engineer with no (or few) programming skill aint worth a penny. And I've met better "Software Engineer" in DUT (= 2 years after bachelor) than 99% of "Software Engineer" in the engineer schools. FYI I've had more than 2000+ students. I think you're mixing project manager (= responsibilities with no technical skills required) with "Software Engineer". A Software Engineer who has no technical skill will drive his whole team straight into a wall.

[@najmabano9120]

Thank you so much! It was very helpful

[@wimblox2901]

My subject is computer science & I have a dream to become a software engineer. *Is it possible as a computer science student?*

[@dalvinderroudh4095]

Simple answer Yes, do some research on paths to becoming an SE for more info

[@wimblox2901]

@@dalvinderroudh4095 thank you

[@arun_shajakumar]

I am currently working as a it support engineer how can I move into Devops or software Engineering?

[@Drop_The_Mic]

gaining experiance and with time and hardwork

[@mihuhih2186]

engineer is someone who has formal qualifications related to his profession - for example CS Degree

[@manikroy7768]

Stupid distinction! Software Engineer is older term, now it is Software Developer. Because in software, it is always development and make progress. Nothing to engineer once and use forever. That's why the term Engineer is obsolete in software development. Hope this helps!

[@susanrp2714]

Manik Roy corrrect

[@soulkoolmusic]

This may be true in your organization, but the fluidity of those titles are grand depending on a business. You are far from correct without presenting market based information from your local.

[@fundev6412]

I am the software developer, Lol, sir, you are awesome 😀

[@erubin100]

So basically, the SE is the middleman between the customer and the SD.

[@tamboyistheman]

I disliked the video because based on experience, these role titles are ambiguous. In my company, a programmer, developer and software engineer are basically the same role; the people who build software. The person who outsources tasks to developers are project managers. I'm not saying you're wrong. What I'm saying is since there is no governing body that sets the standards for these roles, everyone just makes their best assumptions and that doesn't really help our industry that is already misunderstood and has a high barrier to entry. What you're doing is just making an already convoluted topic even more confusing. Oh and in my company we also have software architects take a guess what that guy does...

[@NetSkillNavigator]

The "engineer" title is a protected title.. The i.t industry cheapens the title. You are an "engineer" if you are able to approve/sign a project and be held liable if anything goes wrong.. This is traditional in civil engineers, mechanical, chemical etc etc ..

[@_akavyo2447]

So..on short is Software programmer *_level up_* Software developer *_level up_* Software engineer Right?

[@IAmDevtube]

more or less - but as you see from the fighting in the comments it can change according to where you work

[@convolutionalnn2582]

@@IAmDevtube Can Software developer becomes Software engineer

[@purifierphoenixthemecca]

I expect a software engineer to do micro coding for like CPUs or GPUs or other computerized engines.

[@NorthsideNtz]

So basically a software engineer is the boss of a software developer

[@Sad_quotesedit]

Bro you are superb....

[@charlesd4572]

Sorry but this sounds like complete nonsense. The term developer and engineer are interchangeable it's largely a cultural issue. Some companies refer to software engineers others developers. One thing they both share is that they involve programming - and when you're programming you're acting as a programmmer. Programmer is a generic term that actually encompasses any job that involves a fair part of your time programming whether that be software creation, switch boards or automated machines. In terms of culture, if you view someone who designs and builds software as someone who creates tools that have to fulfill a particular function in a predictable and reliable way (a "virtual machine") then engineer is probably a better term and so a company with this mindset is likely to use engineer. A company that views software design and development as a creative enterprise (not mainly a functional one) then software developer seems a better term.

[@humanvoice369]

Right or wrong, it all seems to be about the COMPENSATION eventually :P

[@IAmDevtube]

best comment so far!

[@humanvoice369]

The sarcasm is silent :P

[@ahmad-talbaimamuddeen3143]

I like your explanations?

[@mussemulugetadejene9458]

I'm asking if there is a software that ahelp of eye gelass and hearing aids can see and lissen sound of Jesus and devils or a video camera software that both appeared

[@convolutionalnn2582]

Can Software developer becomes Software engineer?

[@yordanstankov6023]

so software developer is more possible from software engineer

[@tr3363]

Thanks so much

[@IAmDevtube]

pleasure!

[@terrific2526]

*MY QUESTIONS ARE BELOW MY STORY, PLEASE SOMEBODY ANSWER THEM IF YOU CAN* *MY STORY* Im focusing on becoming a ME right now (Mechanical Engineer), but for a nice chunk of my life, ive always been more interested into software and coding/programming. Since I was a kid, I would love to take stuff apart and see how it worked, and if I didnt understand how something worked, rather it was mental or physical, It always made me frustrated, but eventually, no matter what it was, I always figured it out. I was more interested into becoming a chef like my mom at the time, but I always enjoyed building and taking stuff apart. Then I got introduced to scripting/coding, and had a strong desire to make a game or even a website. Despite how excited I was about it, I gave up after a few weeks of struggling. It was the one thing I couldnt figure out how to do, and I fell back into wanting to be a chef again. Suddenly over time I started gaining a desire stronger than the one of wanting to be a chef, to build robotics. And ever since then I've just been playing around with random tools in my house, making mechanisms, and building machine out of lego. You're probably thinking, "That would be a Robotics Engineer", and yes, you're right, but I'd rather be an ME because they have a wider variety of things to build including robotics itself. After some time, I got my first laptop, and thats when it all fell down. I wanted to code again. Now im choosing between the 2. But first I want to know what im getting myself into, rather I want to be software, or developer. To be honest, I want to be both, because I love doing both equally, and if you're wondering, yes, I do still cook with my mother as a hobby, and no longer as a career. *MY QUESTIONS* What is the difference between software and developer engineering? This video and many more has only made my confusion more confusing than it already is. Can I be a Robotics, Mechanical, and Software Engineer/Developer, all at once? I love doing them all equally, but I want to know if can, do them all equally. Can I build robotics as an ME and vice versa? This question is kind of misleading, so Ill explain it a little. What I mean is, is it ok for me to do both at once? Can I be an ME but build robotic items sometimes?

[@ismatmina]

Asome!!!!!

[@sargamagarwal4465]

Awesome

[@penguin1714]

Its clear youre writing this from the POV of a dev. You totally missed the point of an engineer. But this is easy to get wrong because it isnt set in stone. It cant be because software dev composition requirements change based on need. Different industries with different goals require different hierarchies in their software teams to achieve that goal. For extremely large scale projects (game dev, platform dev, os dev/integration, etc) it can often look like this: software architect->software engineer->software developer in smaller scale industries that dont require as much overhead, it can look the same only with engineers acting as the architects. Architects usually have experience as devs and engineers so they function as the masters designing and developing the composition and integration of a systems engines. Then engineers design those engines as subsystems and lead a team of developers to develop that subsystem. When projects are small or simple enough to where the "programmer" is doing a little of everything (designing, developing, integrating, etc) these titles dont mean much. Note: these terms arent clearly defined anywhere. google them and you get tons of varying results. These definitions are just from my experience and may be totally different than yours. But I did feel like you left a TON of things that are generally agreed upon out.

[@hydraz1443]

No offence, but I completely disagree with the fact that programmers are not developers. Software engineers and software developers are exactly the same thing, and both are programmers

[@djbackspin911]

Does it matter which one you pick cause I read some comments saying that you have to be a programmer first, then a developer in order to be a engineer?

[@hydraz1443]

djJames no, a programmer just means someone who programs, so a developer is a programmer, and an engineer is a programmer.

[@meronhabtemichael5441]

NOT TRUE! A software engineer is someone that applies engineering principles to software development. And if you get your bachelor from a uni . they have tought you these skills for sure. 7.5 credits in software engineering. SO SAD some people have no clue about IT and this is misleading them

[@JD-kf2ki]

My guess is that software engineers are the ones that create libraries and frameworks. Developers are the ones who make use of those. :)

[@braindeveloperdimensional5579]

I believe there is a fine line between software and a website! How can they come into same category of software development and engineering.

[@Drop_The_Mic]

i will tell u, youtube is a website right? well not really only website, since the frontend only is the website where the user interface is at and the backend is the software that stores all the videos, accounts, information and all those good stuff. therefor, most websites indeed has software in them

[@gmanon1181]

Every program that runs in a computer is software including websites. A website is an application that runs in a web server and it's accessed through a client (browser).

[@CodeWithZuks]

There is no difference

[@nontraditionaltech2073]

This explanation is poop. Some SW industries use Developer, others Engineer. Especially the outsourcing part, at least in my industry. From day to day, I design and code over and over again

[@heliobessonirodrigues6632]

WRONG!

[@linchenpal]

BS