Computer Science vs. Software Engineering

December 31, 2009 | 0 Minute Read
This post was originally posted on my old blog.

I listened to SE-Radio Episode 149: Difference between Software Engineering and Computer Science with Chuck Connell.

Interesting stuff...

The most insightful thing was that historically we put too much unrelated things into the same bucket:

Computer Science vs. Software Engineering

Algorithms, Cryptography, Compilers vs. Business Applications, Consumer Applications

Complexity Analysis, Correctness Proofs vs. Maintainability, Testability

Formal Specifications vs. Estimation

Language Syntax/Semantics vs. Design Patterns

More background is in Chuck Connells article on Dr.Dobb's. Including The bright line in computer science: This once again leads back to the question: What is software engineering?

Art?

Craftmanship?

Science?