25 Differences Between Software Engineer and Computer Science
25 Differences Between Software Engineer and Computer Science
Computer science and software engineering are two often confused lines of work that are quite different from each other. In fact, some computer scientists cannot describe in detail what software engineering entails. In a nutshell, computer science involves primal aspects of computing such as computer languages, artificial intelligence, theories and hardware design. Software engineering, on the other hand, is more technical and involves the implementation of computer breakthroughs at scale. Below are 25 core differences between these two career options.
Outlook
While computer science is more basic and algorithmic, software engineering is more concerned with software design and architecture to fine tune computer breakthroughs to solve real life problems.
Level of detail
Being a science, computer science is in-depth and very detailed. Contrastingly, software engineering is less detailed and involves aspects of management.
Work goals
A computer engineers biggest goal is discovery to add extra dimensions to the field of computing. In contrast, software engineers are all about design, planning and polishing up systems to ensure efficiency – all things considered.
The risk aspect
Due to the more practical nature of software engineering, risk management is a big aspect of the profession. Divergently, computer scientists, though conscious of associated risks, are not as concerned with risk mitigation.
Scale
Scale wise, software engineering trumps computer science due to the extensive use of integrated software systems in commercial settings.
Commerce Opportunities
Software engineering carries with it more opportunities for making money since it is commercially oriented. A software engineer can design custom software for clients, polish up existing systems, etc.
Career crossover
The truth is that most computer scientists, if they choose to, can cross over and become capable software engineers, the reverse is also true though more challenging due to career-related training depth.
Inventions
Computer scientists are at the forefront of innovation and they, therefore, have more opportunities to shine compared to software engineers who mainly tinker with the creations of computer scientists.
Creativity
Though it provides the opportunity to come up with phenomenal creations, computer science does not allow the same breath and flexibility of creativity that software engineering avails.
Resources
Computer scientists involved in robotics, artificial intelligence, and other cutting edge technologies get to play around with equally advanced equipment that many software engineers do not easily get access to.
Practicality
Most branches of computer science are theoretical, unlike software engineering which is predominantly practical.
Experimental vs developmental
Computer science, like all sciences, is experimental. On the contrary, software engineering is developmental in a bid to come up with integrated software systems that work.
Work perfection
Scientists are perfectionists, and they seek to comprehensively understand phenomenons. Software engineers, on the other hand, are likely to hit a stone wall in seeking system perfection since clients/bosses are interested in only what works and are unlikely to sanction costly system adjustments for the sake of perfection.
Research
Computer science involves more focused research compared to software engineering which marries together various disciplines.
Subjects involved
Software engineering, though also mainly algorithmic, entails significant chunks of other disciplines. Computer science is more clean cut with minimal borrowing from other disciplines but mathematics.
Mathematics involved
At the core, computer functions are mathematical making the science thereof very mathematical in nature. Software engineering, involving software design and the like, is somewhat less mathematical.
Recognition
Generally, computer scientists enjoy more attention as not many people are comprehensively aware of what software engineers really do.
Versatility
Even though computer science is profoundly algorithmic, computer science majors are more versatile, and they can easily work in typical software engineering or computer related positions if they so wish.
Salary
Software engineers tend to earn more since their job tends to have heavy economic ramifications in organizational settings.
Grasp of computing
Without a doubt, this particular trophy goes to computer scientists due to the pure nature of their training. However, software engineers possess a better grasp of various computer related fields.
Gender balance
There are more women in computer science than there are in software engineering.
Quantity of professionals
Since computer science preceded software engineering, the discipline boasts a bigger number of professionals probably explaining why crossovers are common.
Ease of getting a job
In line with versatility, computer science training gives one the muscle power to apply for diverse I.T related posts as compared to software engineers.
Coding frequency
Computer scientists code a lot but software engineers, though proficient in coding, hardly find themselves coding in actual work scenarios.
Fad-effect
Software engineering is deeply affected by what is fashionable as organizations like trending software systems. Computer science on the other hand, due to its pure nature, hardly budges in the face of changing tides.
In conclusion, software engineering and computer science are different cuts of the same cloth plus or minus a few elements. However, many tend to favor computer science as a career choice due to its versatility. Actually, in many software engineering jobs, it is not uncommon for applicants with computer science training to be given a shot.