Software Engineering vs. Computer Science

November 27, 2023

Software Engineering vs. Computer Science

What is software engineering?

Software engineering is an engineering discipline that is concerned with all aspects of software production from initial conception to operation and maintenance

Engineering discipline

Using appropriate theories and methods to solve problems, bearing in mind organizational

and financial constraints.

All aspects of software production

Not just the technical process of development.
Also, project management and the development of tools, methods, etc. to support software production.

Fundemental Software Engineering Activities

Specification - Customers and engineers define the software that is to be produced and the constraints on its operation.
Development - The software is designed and programmed.
Validation - The software is checked to ensure that it is what the customer requires.
Evolution - The software is modified to reflect changing customer and market requirements.

What is Computer Science?

Computer science involves the theory and techniques of computers and software systems. It covers a wide range of topics, from the theoretical basis of algorithms and calculations to the practicalities of designing and developing software and hardware.

Key areas within computer science include:

Algorithms and Data Structures: The study of algorithms, which are step-by-step procedures or formulas for solving problems, and data structures, which organize and store data to facilitate efficient access and modification.

Programming Languages: The design, implementation, and analysis of programming languages used to instruct computers.

Software Engineering: The application of engineering principles to software development, involving the design, testing, and maintenance of software systems.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): The development of algorithms and systems that enable computers to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and understanding natural language.

Computer Networks: The study of how computers communicate and share resources, including the design and implementation of network protocols.

Databases: The design, implementation, and management of databases to store, retrieve, and manipulate data.

Computer Architecture: The design and organization of computer systems, including the hardware components and their interaction.

Operating Systems: The software that manages computer hardware and provides services for computer programs.

Cyber security: The protection of computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, attacks, and damage.

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI): The study of how humans interact with computers and the design of user interfaces to enhance this interaction.

Computer Science vs. Software Engineering

Computer science concerns theoretical and practical aspects of computation (algorithms, data structures, programming languages, artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer architecture, and more), whereas software engineering concentrates on software's systematic design, development, testing, and maintenance. It involves applying engineering principles to the entire software development process. The primary goal of computer science is to understand the principles that govern computation and to develop new algorithms and technologies. It is concerned with the theory and foundation of computing. The main goal of software engineering is to create reliable, efficient, and maintainable software systems. It emphasizes a systematic and disciplined approach to software development, including requirements analysis, design, coding, testing, and maintenance. Computer science research and principles are applied in various areas, including software development, hardware design, artificial intelligence, and scientific research. Software engineering is directly applied to the practical aspects of building software. It involves managing the entire software development life cycle, ensuring that software projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet the specified requirements.

Major Job Roles

Computer Science:

Software Developer/Engineer:

Designing, coding, testing, and maintaining software applications.
Following software development methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum).

Systems Architect:

Designing the architecture and structure of software systems.
Making high-level design choices based on project requirements.

Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer:

Ensuring the quality and reliability of software products through testing.
Identifying and fixing bugs and issues.

DevOps Engineer:

Implementing and maintaining continuous integration and deployment pipelines.
Automating infrastructure and deployment processes.

Project Manager:

Overseeing the planning, execution, and delivery of software projects.
Managing teams and resources to meet project goals.

Database Administrator:

Designing, implementing, and maintaining databases.
Ensuring the security and efficiency of data storage.