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Software Engineering || Computer Science

Started by Alpha_ProgDes Apr 22, 2004 at 9:53 PM 14 replies 850+ views

Original Post

Apr 22, 2004 at 9:53 PM

This is in the same spirit as this thread. Right now I'm going for a Computer Science degree, but also I'm going for Software Engineering certificate as well. But I'm wondering for game programming (or even general programming) which would be more helpful or worth while to get? How do you categorize SE and CS? Is CS the theory to SE's practicality? It seems at times to be the same thing but I wanted to know how the industry and others here viewed its application in the workplace, the industry, and startup projects. Where is one degree appropriate where the other isn't? Thanks for reading

edit: had to add link [edited by - Alpha_ProgDes on April 22, 2004 10:55:05 PM] [edited by - Alpha_ProgDes on April 23, 2004 10:42:37 AM]

Alpha_ProgDes

Apr 23, 2004 at 9:46 AM

no one knows?

abd9e4790f

Apr 23, 2004 at 9:52 AM

Nobody seems to really know. All they can dish out is a lot of hearsay and speculation. But as soon as I figure it out for my self, I maybe able to help you.

For what software engineering is all about check this.

quote:

Software engineers must possess strong programming skills, but are more concerned with developing algorithms and analyzing and solving programming problems than with actually writing code.

This brings me to my next point. There seems to be no one true path to follow that were all looking for. There are only multiple paths that are true. o_O

[edited by - DIRECTXMEN on April 23, 2004 10:54:15 AM]

Big B

Apr 23, 2004 at 10:08 AM

I would say that in a few years, CS and SE will be merged in a lot of universities.

From my experience, CS is the theory of algorithms, and SE is the theory of project management. SE would be more useful in something like engine design, whereas a CS would be more for engine writing. Of course, to do either job well requires years of experience, by which time someone with a CS degree could pick up the skills of a SE major, and vice versa.

capn_midnight

Apr 23, 2004 at 10:23 AM

SE is often considered a subset of CS. It certainly is at my school.

Promit

Apr 23, 2004 at 11:37 AM

SE''s origins are distinctly computer based (i.e. it exists because of computers). CS, on the other hand, originated in math labs and actually predates computers...probably around the 1930s with Alan Turing.

So in general, CS is more math oriented while SE is much more of an engineering sort of discipline.

khawk

Apr 23, 2004 at 12:47 PM

Actually, CS is a subset of SE.

Alpha_ProgDes

Apr 23, 2004 at 12:50 PM

quote:
Original post by Khawk
Actually, CS is a subset of SE.

huh? when? i thought CS was a major before SE was. So wouldn''t SE be a subset because it was derived from CS?

MDI

Apr 23, 2004 at 12:53 PM

quote:
Original post by Promit
SE''s origins are distinctly computer based (i.e. it exists because of computers). CS, on the other hand, originated in math labs and actually predates computers...probably around the 1930s with Alan Turing.

So in general, CS is more math oriented while SE is much more of an engineering sort of discipline.

CS goes back to the ancient Arabs who invented algorithms.

Promit

Apr 23, 2004 at 2:02 PM

quote:
Original post by Khawk
Actually, CS is a subset of SE.

Somehow that doesn''t seem right...

Alpha_ProgDes

Apr 23, 2004 at 2:06 PM

Mr. Hawk! Swoop down and give us explanation. NOW! or I will become Der Fuhrer!!!!

MDI

Apr 23, 2004 at 2:07 PM

It doesn''t seem right to me either, is physics a subset of mechanical engineering?

deathtrap

Apr 23, 2004 at 8:49 PM

CS = algorithms and building the components used in applications.
SE = Software design and implementation, using the components to build something functional for the real world.

i.e. CS is building the car engine, where as SE is building the whole car and plopping in a ready made engine.

Is that about right? please someone correct me if i''m wrong, I still need to understand more about SE

Promit

Apr 23, 2004 at 9:32 PM

Why don''t you simply call up a professor at a nearby college? Or maybe e-mail...

capn_midnight

Apr 23, 2004 at 10:10 PM

quote:
Original post by Promit
Why don''t you simply call up a professor at a nearby college? Or maybe e-mail...

you can try my software engineering professor, who is the head of the computer science department, Dr. Caroll Wellington.

capn_midnight | Captain Midnight | deviantArt
ACM | SIGGRAPH | Generation5

Xtreme11

Apr 23, 2004 at 11:09 PM

Same thing was discussed on another forum. In Australia anyway, I think in SE you do a thesis and do more on project management as well as the CS stuff.
Im still not 100% sure but thats what Ive heard.

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