Software Engineering Vs. Computer Science

Software Engineering vs. Computer Science

In today’s video I’m going to clarify what is software engineering and what is computer science, discuss the core difference between software engineer and computer science and then try and help you decide which one might be of more interest to you

The core difference between software engineering and computer science can be understood as that while the former applies engineering principles to software, the latter applies scientific methods to software. Moreover, software engineering aims to solve practical problems whereas computer science works to decipher theoretical problems.

What does a Software engineer do?
Software engineers primarily work towards the efficiency of the software. Their main focus is finding and generating useful software, they aim to find the most competent solution for the given set of requirements. They contemplate the end user's needs and accordingly design and develop software solutions.
They create, maintain, and improve computer programs. Even though they are familiar with theories surrounding software use, their day-to-day involves the design, development, maintenance, test, and evaluation of computer software. They work with several programming languages like Python, SQL, Ruby, Java, and many more. A software engineer is also called a software developer, computer programmer, or software designer.

What does a Computer Scientist do?
The study of computation theory and computational systems is referred to as Computer Science. That means studying how data and instructions are stored, processed, and communicated between different devices. Computer scientists use a systematic approach to find solutions for problems by applying engineering principles. They study math, physics, and computation programming and use algorithms and computer languages to software and offer detailed instructions about their workings.
They also study and work in areas like computer networks, artificial and machine intelligence, database systems, security networks, and monitoring systems, mathematical analysis, programming languages, and theories via computing and processes.

The core differences:
1. Education
The Computer Science students study focuses on the computing, analysis, storage, and application of data and data systems of computer programs and software while the focus of software engineering is taking these principles and applying them to interplay, product design and performance and other functional aspects of computer programs.
2. Career options
Both are in high demand and have enough job opportunities. Software engineers get appointed in many programming languages or hardware engineering jobs. Most companies big or small require some level of software engineering to function.
Computer Science helps you land jobs in any field related to programming or coding like a mobile application developer, cybersecurity analyst, data scientist or analyst, or web designer. Since it is a theoretical field, professionals tend to find jobs in an array of industries.
3. Programming
When it comes to software design while computer scientists work on aspects like how a program works, how it may be best designed and how to apply programming languages to the application; software engineers use computer scientist's information and analyses to plan the framework to build a niche program.
4. Coding
Though both the fields use coding and languages, computer scientist coding is related to computer language as well as calculating compatibility between hardware and software applications but a software engineer relies on coding heavily for developing and building software.

If you are inclined towards - the nature of computers and systems, how hardware and software work together choose Computer Science.
If a hands-on and real-world application approach to software development, creation, and assessment of software development interests you then software engineering can be your field.
Software engineers get specifications from their managers regarding the kind of software to work on; however, Computer scientists offer strategies and ways to develop a software program.

Savants Tech Talk Episode 28
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Fintelics is an AWS Advanced Tier Consulting Partner that is lead by Canada developer 30 Under 30 recipient Will Zhang. The company has also been awarded 'Best FinTech Consultancy - Ontario' and 'Leading Expert in Fullstack Omnichannel Software Development' by Wealth & Finance Magazine.

You can learn more about Fintelics by:

#softwareengineering #computerscience

[Idrisap]

I like this guy—new sub!
Love the clarity and format!

[fintelics]

Feel free to leave any questions you may have here! I would also love to hear which path is more interesting to you, software engineering or computer science?

[ravenye]

This is very helpful, programming efficiency is really important

[shaneamazon]

great clarification. As a problem slover, I prefer to be a software engineer.

[spacemanspiff]

These "official" definitions do not always match how it is actually played out in the field. For example, at my University, there is only a Computer Science degree, however this major takes on both the Computer Science part AND the Software Engineering aspect, allowing you to get into either field at graduation

[rodwellzimbajr]

powerful explanation I choose CS now am 100% I will do SE

[param]

You changed my decision it was very helpful as i was going to take wrong decision

[danielshamburger]

"Computer Scientist" is not a common job title outside of research and education, and Software Engineering isn't a very common major at University. Often Software Engineers studied Computer Science at University.

[jayrollo]

How about paper engineering? Or better yet gender studies