Re: Programmers -> Engineers; Engineers -> Programmers

[jtapa@pacbell.net]

Richard Riehle wrote:
> 
>  Jack W Scheible <jscheibl@MASON2.GMU.EDU> writes:
> >In _my_ experience, people who major in Computer Science tend to be
> >dullards; if they were not, they would have majored in EE.
> 
>  Mr. Scheible is probably a little embarrassed upon reading how this
>  looks after being posted.
> 
>  If I understand his underlying point, the need for engineering education
>  as part of the computer science curriculum, it is hard to support an
>  argument against that position. The notion that Computer Science
>  students should take a principles of engineering class is worthy of
>  serious consideration.
> 
>  Richard Riehle

I agree whole heartedly, to many CS people are cheated out of the basics 
of engineering. My observations are that many (maybe more than half) 
software engineers do not have CS degrees. I know of more EEs, CEs, and 
MEs who are successful SW Engineers. Myself (EE) included. Let's face it, 
a technical degree gives you certain tools and trains you in how to use 
them for certain tasks. CS, EE, ME, CE and the like are all strong fields 
of study, certainly they differ but I think the different backgrounds in 
a SWEs education adds to a team's ability to solve difficult problems. 
ie, the ones none of us ever heard about in school.

I think the important thing to remember is "engineering" part of the 
software engineers job. When all is said and done, coding is the easy 
part. Coming up with a good design that will meet the requirements and 
schedule/budget restraints is where the magic lies.

JT Apa