Why Computer Programmers Should Stop Calling Themselves Engineers
1–10 of 25 posts
Re: Why Computer Programmers Should Stop Calling Themselves Engineers
#2I don't necessarily disagree, I actually make a point to never call myself an engineer, but a programmer.
However, I think the author has an idealized vision of actual engineers. It's not rare to see buildings with mistakes or things that were not properly thought out.
Re: Why Computer Programmers Should Stop Calling Themselves Engineers
#3Previous discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10513499
Re: Why Computer Programmers Should Stop Calling Themselves Engineers
#4I think it's pretty simple: you can call yourself an engineer if you graduated from an engineering program and have a P.Eng otherwise you're not and depending on your jurisdiction you may not be able to legally use the title.
Re: Why Computer Programmers Should Stop Calling Themselves Engineers
#5imo the problem stems from reputable authority credentials not keeping up with the rate of change. it's why we have a situation where github is a more reputable authority for what you do than a resume. you could look at this and say the problem is we need to return to the way we used to do things or you can look at this and say we need a new way to credential people. I'm looking at decentralized reputation, set up the new credential system to keep pace with the rate of change.
Re: Why Computer Programmers Should Stop Calling Themselves Engineers
#6I suppose I enjoy arguments about word usage, but at the end of the day, the battle he's fighting is already lost.
Also, anecdotally, I've rarely heard a software engineer call themselves just an "engineer". They usually prefix it with the word software, or use the word developer.
Re: Why Computer Programmers Should Stop Calling Themselves Engineers
#7I prefer to refer to myself as a software engineer rather than a developer, although I do use the terms interchangeably. I like to distinguish between my vision of engineers, who have CS degrees and understand software at a very deep level, and programmers, who use the tools that are provided to them.
Of course, this is just semantics, and at the end of the day, it's all intellectual masturbation.
Re: Why Computer Programmers Should Stop Calling Themselves Engineers
#8I think it's pretty simple: you can call yourself an engineer if you graduated from an engineering program and have a P.Eng otherwise you're not and depending on your jurisdiction you may not be able to legally use the title.
For those that are unaware as the article didn't dive into this:
P.Eng. is the Canadian designation[1]. The American equivalent is PE[2]. It is unfortunate but understandable that one must undergo re-licensing in a different country due to lack of reciprocity licensing agreements, unlike the M.D. designation between Canada and the US.
>>In Canada, many civil engineers wear an iron ring symbolizing the ethical commitment their profession undertakes.
Regardless of which engineering discipline a person chose, most engineering graduates wear their iron rings[3]. Note that wearing an iron ring does not automatically entitle one to the P.Eng. designation - it only means the person graduated from an undergraduate engineering program.
[1] http://www.engineerscanada.ca/frequently-asked-questions
[2] http://www.nspe.org/resources/licensure/what-pe
[3] Anecdata
Re: Why Computer Programmers Should Stop Calling Themselves Engineers
#9Re: Why Computer Programmers Should Stop Calling Themselves Engineers
#10I think it's pretty simple: you can call yourself an engineer if you graduated from an engineering program and have a P.Eng otherwise you're not and depending on your jurisdiction you may not be able to legally use the title.
That's tossing out an awful lot of people - the vast majority of PEs are in civil or mechanical. It isn't necessary for almost any other field - electrical, chemical, materials...