Is computer engineering the same as software engineering

[Midnight94]

Is software engineering another name for computer engineering or is it diffrant and more specifc and can a computer engineer apply for a software engineer job?

 

[HallsofIvy]

Actually I have never heard the phrase "computer engineering" but off hand, I would expect it to have more to do with designing computer hardward than soft ware.

 

[I like Serena]

Welcome to PF, Midnight94!

I also never heard of the phrase computer engineering.

I do know that many different phrases are going around:

- Programmer
- (Software) developer
- Software engineer
- Software architect
- System architect
- (Software/system) analist
- Consultant
- Computer scientist

Afaik different institutions handle these titles/roles differently.
They can mean anything from the lowest to the highest complexity levels, and also from the lowest to highest paying jobs.

 

[TMFKAN64]

I have an undergrad degree in Computer Engineering from many, many years ago, and at the time, it was a combination of software *and* hardware administered by the Electrical and Computer Engineering department. So while you had your usual programming languages and compiler courses, you also had digital design and computer architecture courses.

The good thing about the computer industry is that they really aren't hung up on exactly what degree you have or don't have... it's more a question of experience and skills. So someone with a computer engineering degree can certainly apply for software engineering jobs, as long as you have the ability to do the work.

 

[Matrix0]

Computer engineering and software engineering are two closely related fields, but they are not the same. Computer engineering focuses on the design and development of computer hardware and systems, while software engineering focuses on the design and development of software programs and applications.

While both fields require a strong understanding of computer systems and programming languages, software engineering is more specific and specialized in its focus on software development. A software engineer may have a deeper understanding of programming languages, software design principles, and testing methods, while a computer engineer may have a broader knowledge of hardware and system architecture.

A computer engineer may be able to apply for a software engineering job, depending on their skills and experience. However, they may need to acquire additional knowledge and skills in software development to be competitive in the job market. Similarly, a software engineer may be able to apply for a computer engineering job, but they may need to gain more knowledge and experience in hardware design and engineering.

In conclusion, while computer engineering and software engineering are related fields, they have distinct focuses and skill sets. A computer engineer may have some transferable skills to work in software engineering and vice versa, but they are not interchangeable.