Software Engineering vs. General Computer Programming?

[epicasian]

Hey Guys,

I was just wondering the difference in General Computer Programming vs. Software Engineering. I want to go to college for either game or application programming, I haven't decided yet, though. Can you please explain to me the difference in General Programming and Software Engineering?

Thanks for your help,
-EpicAsian

[Trask]

Well generally speaking, general CP classes will focus on syntax and basics of a language or two where as SE will focus on that, plus designs and will also give you knowledge on more broad topics such as hardware, networking(in cases), and perhaps more specialized forms of programming.

Best thing I found out there was at UAT with a BS in Software Engineering with a major in Game Programming. Gave me a good foundation in SE while applying most of my projects in game development. If you go to something like DeVry, you're not going to get a good foundation like the SE education would give you and you may not be as prepared as those with that foundation.

[Bakkon]

SE focuses more on the organization of the development phase and the cycle of creating a large project. CP is more, as Trask said, oriented towards understanding concepts and syntax with a programming language.

[Falco Girgis]

What the hell is "General Programming"? I haven't even ever heard of that degree. If that's some 2 year "associates" nonsense, then good god--Software Engineering all the way.

[epicasian]

"General Programming" is what they call it on CollegeBoard.com
Here is a link to ITT Tech Louisville, under the majors, it says "Computer Programming - General "
http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/s ... rofileId=7

Would SE give you a bigger chance of landing a career than CP?

Thanks Again,
~EpicAsian

[Falco Girgis]

Oh my GOD, yes.

"General Programming" is not even a real science or engineering degree.

[AerisAndMe]

Yeah these aren't degrees offered at UAH, where Falco and I go. We have "Computer Science" and "Computer Engineering."

I'm CS -- which focuses on becoming proficient with and understanding the design of several programming languages, mastering the design and implementation of algorithms and abstract data types, understanding the different programming paradigms with a hard concentration on object-oriented design, lots of logic and theory and abstract math, and then there are a few classes for things like networking, assembly, graphics, etc. We've used languages like C++, Java, Python, Perl, x86 assembly, several shell scripting languages, string processing languages like awk and grep, etc.

Falco's CPE -- which is more of a mix between hardware and software. I'm not 100% sure what all they cover, but I know their math is more concrete (things like differential equations, versus the proofs we do in CS), and they study circuits and other "engineer-y" type things that can be diagrammed or plotted. Falco would have to confirm this, but I think they've used some C(++?), some kind of assembly language, and had a class on Qt.

I've heard Software Engineering majors fall somewhere between those two even, as CPE falls somewhere between CS and electrical engineering.

PS: CPE, SE, and CS majors would probably all be hired for the same job. When I applied at SAIC, they were accepting several kinds of computer-related majors for the same position. This is generally the case.

[epicasian]

Thanks for the responses guys, I'm glad I asked this before looking more into individual colleges.

~EpicAsian