Introduction

The fields of software engineering (SE), computer engineering (CE), and computer science (CS) often intersect, leading to a common question: Are computer engineers primarily software engineers, or do software engineers align more closely with computer scientists?

Software Engineers: The Modern Breed

Software engineers are critical in the development and maintenance of software. Though often leniently defined, their role encompasses a specific set of skills and responsibilities. The least experienced software engineers typically focus on the following aspects:

Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) Design Patterns System Scalability

When discussing DSA, they often emphasize Big O notation without understanding the underlying computing models such as SOLID, FLUID, and modern concepts like reactive and proactive design. For scalability, they typically draw diagrams and discuss cloud services like Azure and AWS, which sum up much of their current approach.

Computer Engineers: Designing the Hardware

Computer engineers, on the other hand, are deeply involved in designing and optimizing hardware that powers complex systems like those running on cloud providers such as AWS. Their focus is not just on software but on the electronic circuits, processors, and integrated circuits that form the backbone of modern computing. They often work on solving complex problems, gaining patents, and applying the fundamental theories behind hardware design.

One can gain insight into the type of work computer engineers do by looking at patent filings for companies like Google and Microsoft on platforms like Justia. These filings provide a glimpse into the cutting-edge research and development in hardware and system design.

Computer Scientists: Pursuing Theoretical Foundations

Computer scientists delve into the theoretical foundations of computation, often tackling complex problems like the 3SUM problem. The 3SUM problem exemplifies the type of questions and problems that computer scientists aim to solve. They explore how algorithms compute, the limits of computation, and the theoretical underpinnings that govern the behavior of hardware and software.

In essence, computer scientists are the ones who run the show, providing the theoretical frameworks and insights that enable the application of computer science principles to real-world problems.

Comparing SE, CE, and CS: A Venn Diagram Insight

Despite overlapping areas of expertise, there are clear distinctions between software engineers, computer engineers, and computer scientists. The Venn diagram below highlights this relationship:

The figure illustrates that all three fields overlap significantly. However, the central intersection, which represents the highest level of shared expertise, is minimal. This diagram provides a visual answer to the question: both SE and CE have a lot of overlap with CS, but not so much with each other.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while there is significant overlap between software engineering, computer engineering, and computer science, the nature of the work and the focus areas of each discipline set them apart. Understanding these distinctions can help in making career choices and recognizing the unique contributions of each field to the advancement of technology.